Surname Woitkus - Meaning and Origin
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Woitkus: What does the surname Woitkus mean?
Woitkus is a last name originating from the East European nation of Lithuania. It is derived from the name of the town of Wojtek in SW Lithuania. The meaning of the name implies 'son of Wojtek'. This was an occupational surname most often given to individuals who worked as millers near this particular town.
The earliest evidence of this name appears in the 14th century in a topographical dictionary of Lithuania. At that time, it was a fairly common surname among the people of Lithuania. Over time, as more people migrated from Lithuania to various countries around the world, the last name spread to other countries, such as the United States.
As is common with surnames derived from geographical or occupational origins, Woitkus has a variety of spellings, including Wojtyka, Woityka, Woytka, Wojcick, and more. The last name is still prevalent among Lithuanian Americans, and others who have roots tracing back to Lithuania.
Today, most people who bear the last name Woitkus are members of the Catholic faith, as was the custom centuries ago. Though the name has been used in different countries and by different people over the years, it still carries with it a sense of the historical Lithuania. This last name is a reminder of the storied past of this land-locked nation on the Shores of the Baltic Sea.
Order DNA origin analysisWoitkus: Where does the name Woitkus come from?
The last name Woitkus is most common in the United States today, particularly in the Upper Gulf Coast region of the country. The first recorded instance of the name was in Iowa in 1854 when John Woitkus, a German-American, settled in Keokuk county. From there the name spread throughout the United States, with the highest concentration in the states of Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Texas, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The majority of the Woitkus population has long been of German ancestry, traces of which can still be seen today. Woitkus families have lived in America for generations, having left Germany in pursuit of better economic prospects. The name has been carried on over the years, and continues to be used by families who have kept their German roots and heritage alive. As of 2018, more than 1,000 people are known to bear the surname Woitkus living in the United States.
Though the surname has seen a decrease in popularity over the century, the Woitkus population is still strongest in the Upper Gulf Coast states, particularly Pennsylvania and Illinois. In 2020, the Woitkus population in Pennsylvania was estimated to be around 300, comprising roughly 1 in every 8,000 residents. The name is also observed in Texas, concentrated mainly in larger cities.
Variations of the surname Woitkus
The Woitkus surname is believed to have originally been derived from the personal name of Wojciech or Wojtyła, which is of Slavic origin, and believed to be derived from the name of the Byzantine Emperor Michael V Palaiologos.
Variants of the surname Woitkus include Woitke, Woittek, Woitka, Witkus, Wojtek, Wojcicki, and Wojtkowski.
Spellings of the surname Woitkus can include Woitke, Woittek, Woitka, Witkus, Wojtek, Wojcicki, and Wojtkowski.
Surnames of the same origin as Woitkus can include Wojtyła, Woytek, Wojtyla, and Voytek.
The Woitkus surname is primarily found in Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Lithuania. It is believed the surname originated in Germanic influences in Poland and the Prussia regions during the 19th century.
In the United States, Woitkus is associated with European immigrants that settled in the Midwest, most notably in Wisconsin and Illinois. These immigrants are believed to have brought the surname to the U.S. at some point between the 1860s and 1900s.
The Woitkus surname is still primarily found in European countries today, although it is gaining popularity in the United States.
Famous people with the name Woitkus
- Donna Woitkus: Donna is a professional photographer from Michigan and the founder of Tiger Lily Photography.
- Sarah Woitkus: Sarah is an American rower and was the first athlete to represent U.S. Rowing at the Olympic Games.
- Jackie Woitkus: Jackie is a former professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx.
- Judy Woitkus: Judy was a professional snowboarder, winning bronze at the 2002 Winter X Games.
- Mark Woitkus: Mark is a retired professional hockey player, who played in the NHL for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
- Brad Woitkus: Brad is a former Major League Baseball player and current college coach for Xavier University.
- Ella Woitkus: Ella is an artist specializing in mixed media paintings, photography and performance art.
- Gabriella Woitkus: Gabriella is a British folk and pop singer.
- Jim Woitkus: Jim is an American writer and playwright, best known for his play "The Wall".
- Barbara Woitkus: Barbara is a retired teacher from Wisconsin.