Surname Weitkowitz - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Weitkowitz: What does the surname Weitkowitz mean?
The last name Weitkowitz is derived from a variation of the German or Yiddish word weit (translated to “wide” in English). It was originally a nickname given to denote physical broadness or width. Later on, it became a popular Jewish surname.
The Weitkowitz name has a long and interesting history. It is thought to have been used by Jews who lived in pre- medieval Europe. They named their children this way to serve as physical metaphors for their broader and more inclusive beliefs. In addition, it was meant to represent a Jewish man of great breadth of thought and knowledge.
During the 19th century, Weitkowitz became increasingly popular among Jewish immigrants, particularly those in Eastern Europe. By the early 20th century, the name had spread throughout the United States and other countries around the world.
Today, Weitkowitz is most commonly seen as a surname. It continues to be associated with breadth of knowledge and enlightened thinking. In addition, it is seen as a symbol of Jewish identity and a reminder of the rich history of Judaism.
Order DNA origin analysisWeitkowitz: Where does the name Weitkowitz come from?
The last name Weitkowitz is most commonly found in areas where Ashkenazi Jews from Eastern Europe have settled. This includes countries such as the US, Canada, Argentina, South Africa, and Australia. In the US, the highest concentration is seen in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Within the US, it is estimated that the name Weitkowitz is one of the most common surnames in the Ashkenazi Jewish community. Data from the IPUMS USA reveals that approximately 4,800 families with the last name Weitkowitz are living in the US. Most families with this last name likely date back to the late 19th century or early 20th century, when numerous Jewish immigrants came to the United States from areas now encompassing Poland, Belarus, Lithuania, the Russian Empire, and other nearby countries.
Because of the high number of immigrants during this period of time, many different spellings of Weitkowitz exist. Some of these alternate spellings include Weitko, Weitkowicz, Wittkowski, Vitekowitz, Weitkovitz, and Weitkovitch. As such, some families have adopted a different spelling entirely from their original one, while others remain tightly-knit and continue to proudly carry the last name Weitkowitz from generation to generation.
Variations of the surname Weitkowitz
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Weitkowitz are Witkowicz, Vitkovitz, Witovitz, Vitovsky, Vitek and Veitek.
Witkowicz is a Polish-Jewish surname derived from the Hebrew word 'vitka', meaning 'beside the river'. It is believed that the name was originally used to refer to someone living or working near a river. This surname is most common among Polish Jews.
The surname Vitkovitz is also a Polish-Jewish surname which is derived from 'vitka' as well as the Slavic word 'vitik', meaning 'reed'. It is believed that the name was used to refer to someone living near a reed bed, either in or near a river.
The surname Witovitz is another form of the Polish-Jewish name 'Vitka'. It is derived from the Hebrew word 'vitka' as well as the Slavic word 'vitsa', meaning 'buckthorn'. It is believed that the name was originally used to refer to someone living or working near a buckthorn tree.
The surname Vitovsky is a Ukrainian-Jewish name derived from the Hebrew word 'vitka' to mean 'beside the river' and also from the Ukrainian word 'vitka', meaning 'serpent'. It is believed that the name was derived from the Biblical reference to 'serpents living in the rivers'.
The surname Vitek is a Czech-Jewish name derived from the Czech word 'vitek' meaning 'power'. It is believed that this surname was used to refer to someone with considerable thoughts and feelings.
The surname Veitek is a variant of the surname Vitek, and is also a Czech-Jewish surname. It is likely derived from the same Czech word 'vitek' as the other surname. However, in the Czech language 'veitek' means 'rich'. It is believed that the surname was used to refer to someone perceived as powerful and wealthy.
Famous people with the name Weitkowitz
- Selma Weitkowitz: Austrian Holocaust survivor and author of the book Tell Me About Auschwitz: A Story of a Survivor.
- Lisa Weitkowitz: Austrian singer and former member of the Austrian band “The Voicekids”.
- Michael Weitkowitz: Chief Executive Officer of Powell Industries, a leading manufacturer of electrical equipment.
- George Weitkowitz: New Jersey-based contemporary abstract painter.
- Charlotte Weitkowitz: Austrian artist of the 1960s, known for her large-scale oil paintings of post-apocalyptic shattered landscapes.
- Susan Weitkowitz: American author of works including children's fiction and novels.
- Jewell Weitkowitz: Emmy Award-winning costume designer who worked on shows such as The Golden Girls and High School Musical.
- Josh Weitkowitz: Comedian who has performed at renowned venues such as The Comedy Store and Laugh Factory.
- Guy Weitkowitz: American Shomer-Tzohar Rabbi.
- Max Weitkowitz: Former chairman of the Jewish National Fund in Israel.