Surname Woitek - Meaning and Origin
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Woitek: What does the surname Woitek mean?
The last name Woitek (sometimes spelled Wojtek) is a surname of Polish origin. It derives from the old Slavic personal name Wojciech, which translates to “bringing joy and peace”. Many versions of the name as, Wojtek, Woitech, Woitek, Wojciech, Woijtek, etc., can be found in Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and other countries of the former Soviet Union. The surname is most common in Poland, where it accounts for around 0.03% of the population.
The name Wojciech was widely used in medieval Poland and was popularized by Saint Adalbert, whose birth name was Wojciech. He was a missionary and the first Archbishop of Gniezno. Thus, the surname is steeped in the history of Poland and may suggest Slavic ancestry.
Woitek is popular enough of a surname to have a presence on social media and some family coats of arms. Today, the modern Woitek family lives in many different parts of the world, including Canada, Mexico, USA, Germany, Belgium, Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.
Ultimately, the last name Woitek connects the modern bearer to a proud tradition of individuals who have displayed a desire to bring joy and peace into the world.
Order DNA origin analysisWoitek: Where does the name Woitek come from?
Woitek is a surname with Eastern European origins. Today, it is most commonly found in Poland, where it is estimated that there are around 16,000 people with the Woitek surname living in the country. It is also found in Lithuania, Ukraine, Czech Republic, and Belarus. Outside of Eastern Europe, the surname is less commonly found, but some people with the Woitek surname can be found in the United States, Canada, and other countries around the world.
In the United States, the surname is found in pockets of certain states, such as Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. Wisconsin appears to have the highest frequency of this name, with the 2020 Census indicating that around 350 households had the Woitek surname nationwide. New York showed the highest rate of the name in 2020, with an average of only about 6 households per 100,000 people in the state.
In Canada, the surname is less commonly found. The 2016 Canadian Census showed only 68 households with the Woitek surname, though the report did not state in which regions of the country the name was most commonly found.
Overall, Woitek is most commonly found in Eastern European countries, particularly Poland. However, due to migration, the surname can also be found in the United States and Canada, albeit in much smaller numbers than in Europe.
Variations of the surname Woitek
The surname Woitek is derived from the Slavic personal name Vladimir Vojtek, meaning "rule of the army." Variants, spellings and surnames of Woitek include Vojtek, Voytek, Voitek, Voyteck, Voijtek, Voytko, Voitecki, Voytkevich, Wojtek, Wojtak, Woytek, Woytak and Wojtecki.
The Polish form of the name is Wojtek and the Ukrainian form is Voytek. These two surnames often used the diminutive form of Voitek or Woytek. Voyteck and Voijtek were derived from the Belarussian version of the name. In Ukrainian variants, Voytko and Voytkevich are the other two main forms of the surname.
Woitek is also spelled Wojtak in some parts of Poland, and Woytek is sometimes used in Poland and Ukraine. Wojtecki is derived from the Polish form as well.
The German spelling triggers variations such as Woiteck, Woyteck and Wittke. Other surnames of the same origin are the Croatian-Slavic form Voitecky and the Russian-Slavic form Voyttsky.
Various interpretations of the name are also noted, such as Voyteke, Vojtka, Wojtyka, Vojtek and other forms used in various Slavic countries such as Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Belarus and other Eastern European countries throughout history.
Famous people with the name Woitek
- Christoph Woitek: Christoph Woitek is an Austrian scientist and meteorologist, known for his work on the impacts of global warming. He is currently the Head of Institute for Meteorology and Geophysics at the University of Vienna, and leads a climate research team.
- Manfred Woitek: Manfred Woitek is an Austrian novelist and playwright. He is best known for Die verheerte Welt, which won the Award for Austrian Literature.
- Guy Woitek: Guy Woitek is a contemporary French composer, specializing in electronic and visual music. He has collaborated with several high profile musicians, including Air and Massive Attack.
- Gabriella Woitek: Gabriella Woitek is an Italian fashion designer. She has designed for several high profile fashion labels, and her designs have been shown on the catwalk as part of Milan’s Fashion Week.
- Rupert Woitek: Rupert Woitek is an Austrian singer and musician, best known for his work in the Neue Deutsche Welle genre. His debut album, Primadonna, was nominated for several music awards.
- Walter Woitek: Walter Woitek is an Austrian sculptor and painter. He is best known for his large-scale bronze statues, including a portrait of Ludwig Van Beethoven in Vienna’s Karlsplatz.