Surname Wlodarek - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wlodarek: What does the surname Wlodarek mean?
The last name Wlodarek is of Polish origin and is typically found in the northern regions of the country. The surname is derived from the Polish root word "włodarz," which literally means "ruler" or "lord." This name likely originated as an occupational surname, assigned to those working as village leaders or rulers, such as local landlords.
The surname Wlodarek is a patronymic name, meaning that it was derived from the name of an ancestor or family member. The shortened form of "Włodarz" is "Włodar," and this was likely the original form used as a name for a male ancestor. Over time, Poles began adding the suffix "-ek" or "-ak" to personal names to denote "little" or "son of." Therefore, Wlodarek essentially translates to "son of Włodar" or "little Włodar," aptly identifying a descendant of the original ruler.
Today, the surname Wlodarek remains popular in Poland, as well as in other parts of Europe. It retains its association with respected rulers and leaders, though these roles are less related to local villages and more related to occupations like civil service or politics. Wlodarek is an enduring reminder of the proud roots of its original bearer, the ruler of a region or village many years ago.
Order DNA origin analysisWlodarek: Where does the name Wlodarek come from?
Today, the last name Wlodarek is most common in Central Europe, particularly Poland, where it is derived from the Polish word "wlodarz," meaning "ruler" or "lord." The surname is also found in Belarus, the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, and Ukraine. In the United States, Wlodarek is an especially common surname among Polish-Americans in states with large numbers of Polish-Americans such as Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
In the United States, the surname Wlodarek is the 1,162nd most common surname out of the almost 150,000 surnames on record. The origin of the family name can be traced back to the 13th century when it first appeared as Wlodarz and was used to denote a chief of a tribe, an owner of a landed estate, or possibly a professional soldier. The surname then developed into many different variants, including Wlodarek, Wlodarczyk, and Wlodarczuk.
The earliest records of the Wlodarek name go back to several towns and villages in Poland, including Rudy Raciborskie, Olivet, Baranow, Cmolas, and Glopow. The most common recorded coat of arms of the family is a red shield with two black birds, each with a white neck stripe, and three black diagonal stripes going from top left corner to bottom right corner. The most popular crest of the Wlodarek name is a black stork with an extended red neck and gold leg.
Today, the Wlodarek family still lives in many parts of the world, bringing together people of various cultures and backgrounds. This is reflected by the way the Wlodarek surname is often spelled differently depending on the country, such as Włodarczyk in Poland, Vlodarciuc in Romania, and Vlodarcik in the Czech Republic.
Variations of the surname Wlodarek
The surname Wlodarek has many variants and spellings, as well as having some surnames of the same origin. Some of the most common variants of this surname include Włodarek, Włodarz, Włodarski, Włodzimierski, Włodzimierz, Włodkowski, and Włodarczyk. It is a patronymic name, likely derived from a given name containing the old Slavic element "wlod," meaning "fame."
The variants and spellings of the surname Wlodarek are popular throughout various regions of Europe, particularly among Poles, Ukrainians, and Belarusians. In fact, the spelling Włodcki is a common northern and central Polish surname and the variants Włodarz and Włodarek are common in the south of the country. Additionally, the variant Włodarczyk is also known as a popular surname in Łódź, Poland.
The same origin surnames of Wlodarek include Włodarski, Włodzimierz, and Włodkowksi. They share the same roots as Wlodarek and are common in Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, and Belarus. As well, Włodzimierski is a frequent variant of the surname which was derived from the given name Włodzimierz, and the name Włodarczyk can likewise be linked to Babilon, the historical name of Belarus.
In summary, the surname Wlodarek has many variants and spellings, including Włodarek, Włodarz, Włodarski, Włodzimierski, and Włodzimierz. There are also surnames of the same origin including Włodkowksi and Włodarczyk. These variants are especially popular throughout Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, and Slovakia.
Famous people with the name Wlodarek
- Emma Wlodarek: an American cellist.
- Grzegorz Wlodarek: a Polish politician and Member of Parliament.
- Dominik Wlodarek: a Polish singer and songwriter.
- Krzysztof Wlodarek: a Polish sprinter specializing in the 400 metres event.
- Adam Wlodarek: a Polish swimmer.
- Tiago Wlodarek: a Brazilian soccer player.
- Bartlomiej Wlodarek: a professional footballer from Poland.
- Marek Wlodarek: a Polish-born Canadian ice hockey player.
- Ryszard Wlodarek: an ethnically Polish composer, conductor, and educator.
- Daniel Wlodarek: a Polish musician, producer, and songwriter.