Surname Wlczek - Meaning and Origin
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Wlczek: What does the surname Wlczek mean?
The surname Wlczek is of Polish origin, derived from the name 'Wlcek', which literally translates to mean 'son of a wolf'. It can also be assumed that the name referred to someone who had wolf-like qualities, such as bravery and strength.
The Polish nobility had records of Wlczek families as early as the 14th century, with some associated with the highest order of the nobility which had its seat in the city of Poznan.
The name has since spread all over Europe in various spellings and forms.
The name appears in different modifications such as Woelke, Wógiel, Wołosz, Włoszczowski, and Velček. Variations of the name have been adopted in many countries, including the United States, where it is commonly found as Volzke, Wittlescheck, Vileschek, Volschek, and Wellschke.
The original meaning is still honoured today, suggesting that the name is associated with courage and strength – qualities that are precious to any family. The Wlczek heritage is rich in culture, and still imparts a legacy of strength and character.
Order DNA origin analysisWlczek: Where does the name Wlczek come from?
The last name Wlczek is most common in Poland today. According to the Poland National Census in 2019, there were over 8,400 people with the last name Wlczek living in Poland, making it the 420th most common surname in the country. The last name is particularly concentrated in the Silesian Voivodeship, an administrative region in southwestern Poland, where it was the 21st most common surname.
The roots of the Wlczek surname can be traced back to the Silesian region, which has been part of Poland since the medieval period. The town of Środa Śląska, now part of the Lower Silesia region, is considered to be the birthplace of the last name. Those who originated from this region have typically adopted the Wlczek surname.
The surname is also found today in countries that border Poland, such as Belarus, Ukraine, and Slovakia. Outside of Eastern Europe, the Wlczek surname is found most commonly in United States and Canada. It is believed that approximately 300 people in the United States have the last name, the majority of whom are of Polish-American descent.
In conclusion, the surname Wlczek is most commonly found in Poland, but can also be found in other countries bordering Poland as well as the United States and Canada. Although it is believed to have originated in the Silesian region, its frequency in other areas of the world suggests that the Wlczek surname is a product of migration and displacement over centuries.
Variations of the surname Wlczek
The surname Wlczek has the variants Wlczek, Vlcek, Wlcek and Vlczek.
Wlczek is a Polish surname which means 'wolf' and is derived from the word 'wilczek' in the language. It is thought to have originated from the Polish town of Wlcek and could be derived from the personal name Wlcek, a diminutive of the old Polish name Wlcebog, which means ‘wolf-god’ or ‘god of wolves’.
Wlczek is also a German surname which is believed to have derived from the compound name Wiltz, which is composed of the elements ‘wil’, which means ‘passion’ or ‘desire’, and ‘fried’ which means ‘peace’. This variant could also derive from the personal name Wilczek, which is a diminutive of Wilziek.
The surname may also be found in other Slavic countries such as the Czech Republic where it is spelled Vlček and Romania, where it is spelled Vlcek.
The variants of this surname often carry similar meanings, with some variations in the spelling. The Vlcek and Vlczek variants of the Polish, German, Czech and Romanian surnames are derived from the root word 'wilczek', which is also the root of Wlczek. The spelling Vlcek is found in the Czech Republic and Romania, while the spelling Vlczek is found in Poland, Germany, and Romania.
Variants of the surname Wlczek can also be found in Hungary, such as Földeslaki, which is based on the root word földes which means 'from the land'. In Slovenia, the surname is spelled Vlček, and in Slovakia, the surname is spelled Vlčeková.
Other variations or spellings of the Wlczek surname in Germany are Wilczek, Wielczek, and Wülczek. In Hungary, variations are Foldes and Foldesi. In Austria, variations are Wilczeks, Wilcks and Wültszky. In Ukraine, variations are Wilczek, Wylchak and Wilczak. In Romania, variations are Vlcek, Vlcec and Vlţec.
In conclusion, the surname Wlczek has numerous variants and spellings. These variants can be found in countries such as Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia, Ukraine and Austria.
Famous people with the name Wlczek
- Martin Wlczek: German physicist and professor for theoretical physics at the Technical University Berlin.
- Doreen Wlczek: Austrian sabre fencer, multiple Olympian, and five-time World Championship medallist.
- Halina Wlczek: Polish film director and screenwriter.
- Daniel Wlczek: Polish film actor.
- Margarete Wlczek: Austrian classical and jazz pianist.
- Henryk Wlczek: Polish chess master.
- Karl Wlczek: Austrian architect and commentator.
- Robert Wlczek: award-winning German/Moravian composer, producer and music educator.
- Alexandra Wlczek: Austrian singer-songwriter.
- Ignacy Wlczek: Polish historian, Holocaust researcher, and winner of the Jan Karski Award.