Surname Widelec - Meaning and Origin

Widelec: What does the surname Widelec mean?

The last name Widelec is derived from the Polish occupational surname of one who made wide axes.This surname is thought to have originated in the Silesia region of Poland and is also found spelled Widelce, Widelski, and Widelec.

During the 12th and 13th centuries, most surnames were derived from the occupation of the individual to whom it was assigned.Widelec is no exception.The origin of the name comes from the Polish word 'widelec' which translates to 'wide axe'.These axes back then were important tools used for farming or cutting and splitting wood.

The surname Widelec is quite rare.Those who bear this name often take pride in its long history and likely have ancestors who worked with wood, farming, and perhaps even forging axes.To this day, Widelec is a frequently recorded surname in records from Poland.

The history of the Widelec surname is truly fascinating, providing a compelling window into the lives of our Polish ancestors centuries ago.The fact that this occupational surname has survived for centuries is a testament to the pride and determination of its inherited family line.

Widelec: Where does the name Widelec come from?

The last name Widelec is most commonly found today in Eastern Europe, particularly in Poland. Although it is mostly associated with Poland, populations of the last name have been found in some other countries, notably Romania, Lithuania, and Belarus. Widelec is a patronymic Slavic surname, derived from the masculine given name Videl or Videlko. This name is derived from two elements: the Slavic word ‘vil’, meaning ‘wild’, and an old Slavonic suffix ‘-ek’, meaning ‘little’. Thus, the literal meaning of Videl is ‘little wild one’.

The majority of Widelec descendants today are likely Roman Catholic, as Poland is predominantly Catholic. Additionally, other family histories associated with this last name include Jewish families from countries including Russia and Hungary, with ancestors from this line mostly likely to have originally been Orthodox or Jews in any case.

Historically, the Widelec family can be traced back to Brazilian ancestry. The first Widelec family members in Brazil arrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Before this, the surname is believed to have originated in central Europe, mainly in Galicia, a region which today is a part of Ukraine and Poland.

Today, Widelec is a prevalent surname worldwide. According to recent estimations, Widelec can be found in over 200 countries across the globe, and it is believed to be the twelfth most common surname in Poland.

Variations of the surname Widelec

Widelec is a rather uncommon surname of Polish origin. Variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for this name include Widzewiec, Wiedzewiec, Vydeliec, Wiencelek, Vidakovic, Vedeleck, Weidlec, and Videlic. Some of these surnames have regional spelling variations, such as Vydelice in Croatia. In Germany, the surname is sometimes written as Widlec or Widlak.

In Polish, the name Widelec is derived from "widełka", which means "fork". It is derived from the Old Polish word "vydlić", which means "to bend or curve". This likely refers to the physical features of the area around where the family first lived or came from, which were likely characterized by forking rivers or streams which curled or curved around the landscape.

The Widelec surname is fairly rare and is limited mainly to areas of former eastern and southern Europe. The main concentration of Widelec's are found in Poland, along with smaller populations of the name in Ukraine, Romania, Belarus, Croatia, Germany, Slovakia, and other western and central European countries.

Widelec is an uncommon last name with a rich and interesting history. Its spelling varies depending on the region, but its meaning remains the same – a family with a history of living in a region characterized by curving rivers and streams.

Famous people with the name Widelec

• Katharine Widlec-Hoffer: American actress, known for roles on Days of our Lives, The Fosters, and Modern Family.
• Jacek Widlec: Polish motocross racer who competed in the World Motocross Championships in the mid-1970s.
• Chris Widlec: American poet, author, and professor at Oberlin College.
• Joanna Widlec: Polish journalist and news anchor who worked on TVN, Superstacja and TVP Info.
• Dominika Widlec: Award-winning professional Polish ballroom dancer, coach and choreographer.
• Piotr Widlec: Polish sculptor, painter and poet, specializing in figurative sculpture and creative writing.
• Vitaliy Widlec: Ukrainian mixed martial arts fighter and kickboxer.
• Mariusz Widlec: Polish lawyer and politician, who served as a Member of the European Parliament from 2009 to 2014.
• Susan Widlec: American politician and businesswoman, served as the mayor of Naperville, IL from 2009 to 2013.
• Olga Widlec: Polish soprano and actress, sung in opera houses in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.

Other surnames

WidelitzWidell