Surname Wasilewska - Meaning and Origin
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Wasilewska: What does the surname Wasilewska mean?
The last name Wasilewska is of Polish origin. It is derived from the personal name Wasyl, which in turn is derived from the Latin given name 'Basil'. The name Wasilewska roughly translates to "daughter of Wasyl".
In some cases, Wasyl (or Wasil) may have been shortened from Wasylko, a Polish diminutive of the Latin name Basilius. Thus, it is possible that the surname Wasilewska is derived from used the same form.
Historically, the Wasyl surname was most common in Poland. The surname was heavily used by the Szlachta—an elite aristocratic class in the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It is believed that the surname Wasilewska was often adopted by members of the Szlachta, and it became increasingly popular as a result of its royal association.
Today, the surname Wasilewska is still quite common in Poland. Families bearing the surname continue to be found throughout the country and they are often said to be descended from prominent families. The surname is also found in other countries, due to Polish emigration.
Overall, the Wasilewska surname is an interesting part of Polish tradition and history. Its meaning is rooted in respect for a prominent name and its presence continues to be strong in Poland today.
Order DNA origin analysisWasilewska: Where does the name Wasilewska come from?
The last name Wasilewska is of Polish origin and is still quite common in this country. It is also known in other parts of Central and Eastern Europe. It is believed to have come from the family name Wasilewski, used by nobles in and around the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth after the 15th century. Today, it is a very common last name in both Poland and the Slovak Republic. However, the surname is gaining more popularity outside of these two countries as more and more of those with Polish heritage are spreading across the globe.
In the United States, Wasilewska is a relatively new name with much of the population of those bearing the name having migrated within the past few decades. Records show that as of the last census, it is the 862nd most common surname in the United States. This number is expected to grow as many descendents of those original immigrants continue to move to the United States for work or family reunification.
The name’s popularity in Poland remains strong, with Wasilewska landing in the top 50 most common surnames in the country. As the country has become far more connected to the international community and tenders more visas for those seeking to move and work abroad, this trend of the Wasilewska surname being seen more commonly outside of the country at large has only continued and will likely continue as time goes on.
Variations of the surname Wasilewska
The surname Wasilewska, also known as Vasilevska, is a noble Polish family name of West Slavic roots and is among the oldest recorded names in the country. It is derived from the name Wasyl, which means ‘royal’ or “ruler” as it originally referenced the rule of a nobleman or a ruler of a certain region. Historically, the name was used by various ruling classes or aristocratic families throughout Eastern Europe.
The various spellings of this surname include Wasilewski, Wasiliwsky, Wasiliewski, Wasielska, Wasilevski, Wasiliewska and Wasilevska. Variants of Wasilewska in terms of surnames include Wazilwsky, Vasilevsky, Kazelwsky, Wasilowski and Waazilvsky. The surname may also be seen with prefixes such as von, de or van to denote origin from the area or a former position of nobility.
Wasilewska is also a common surname amongst the Jewish population of Poland, which is believed to have originated from the early adopters of this name after they had converted to Judaism from Catholicism. Over the years, alternative spellings of this name have been adopted in different countries, such as the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.
In more recent years, the surname Wasilewska has been adopted in many other countries, including Russia, Belgium, France, Germany and Brazil, due to intermarriages and immigration. It is one of the most common surnames in Poland and is a reminder of the region’s rich history.
Famous people with the name Wasilewska
- Barbara Wasilewska: a Polish pediatrician and nephrologist, credited with pioneering research on kidney stones, kidney failure, and maintaining healthy urinary systems in children.
- Marta Wasilewska: a Polish actress, best known for her iconic roles in 1960’s and 70’s Polish films.
- Konstanty Wasilewski: a Polish soldier and statesman, who was one of the leading politicians of the interwar period. He served as Prime Minister of Poland twice.
- Ewa Wasilewska: a Polish politician and public figure, best known for advocating for women’s rights in Poland.
- Janina Wasilewska: a Polish politician and MEP, serving as a representative for the Civic Platform party since 2009.
- Anna Wasilewska: a Polish athlete and winner of several gold medals in sprinting at the Summer Olympics.
- Zofia Wasilewska: a Polish poet, writer, artist, and journalist, best known for her works on the environmental and social injustices faced by the people of Poland.
- Maria Wasilewska: a Polish Nobel Laureate in Literature, known for her powerful works about the struggles of women in the country.
- Jan Wasilewski: a Polish physicist, known for his contributions to the field of laser technology.
- Rafal Wasilewski: a Polish musician, composer, and producer, best known for his collaboration with bands such as Las Vegas, Dirky, and Psycho Zeppelin.