Surname Woizechowski - Meaning and Origin
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Woizechowski: What does the surname Woizechowski mean?
The surname Woizechowski is of Polish origin and was first found in Łódź, one of the largest cities in Poland. The name is derived from the Polish word, wojewski, which means soldier. This indicates that the original holder of the Woizechowski name was likely a soldier in the Polish military.
The Woizechowski surname is typically found among families living in and around the Łódź region. In the 19th century, the Woizechowski name was associated with prominent families that usually had some degree of nobility.
More modern uses of the Woizechowski surname are not as common, as the surname has often been changed to fit more common variants of its orthography (or spelling) such as Wojciechowski, Wojeckowski, and Woyposchowski. What’s more, due to the relatively narrow geographical scope in which the surname is found, Woizechowski is considered to be an uncommon surname even in Poland.
The Woizechowski surname is ultimately an indication of Polish heritage and the proud tradition of service in the Polish military. Despite its relatively low frequency, the Woizechowski name is an important reminder of the significant contributions that its original holders have made in service of their country.
Order DNA origin analysisWoizechowski: Where does the name Woizechowski come from?
The last name Woizechowski is most common in eastern Europe, particularly Poland. According to the website 4crests.com, Woizechowski is the 9,064th most common last name in the world today. In Poland, it ranks as the 2,803rd most popular last name, and is concentrated in Radom and the Great Masovian region, where it originated.
In Radom, Woizechowski was a very distinguished last name, dating back to the 1500s. It was used by the wealthy and noble families of the area. However, likely due to poverty and financial struggle in the early 1800s, many individuals with the Woizechowski surname emigrated from Radom to the United States and other countries. Records can be found of Brusha and Katerina Woizechowski travelling from Radom, Poland to the United States in 1883 to join their son, Kazimierz Woizechowski.
Though records of Woizechowski's have been found throughout the US, Canada, and Australia since the 1800s, it is more commonly seen in areas that were historically part of the Polish Realm, such as Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Lithuania, and Belarus. It is also currently present in Germany, Estonia, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, and Russia.
Today, the Woizechowski surname is relatively uncommon, but still endures in the area of its origin, as well as many of the countries that were historically part of the Polish Realm.
Variations of the surname Woizechowski
Woizechowski is a Polish surname. It has several alternate spellings, including Woiczek, Woiczyk, Voiczeck, Voycek, Wojcek, and Woyzeck. It can also be found spelled as Woyzechowski, Woyzeckowski, Woyzeckowy, Voyzeckowski, and Voyzechowski. Other variations of the surname include Woiciechowski, Woijcechowski, Wajczyk, Waizewski, and Weisschowski.
The surname derived from the personal name Wojciech, a very popular name in Europe during medieval times. This name was derived from the Slavic element “voji” or “woyi” meaning soldier or fighter, combined with the diminutive suffix “-ek”. This element was incorporated into surnames which originated from several regions of Poland.
Woizechowski is a common surname, particularly in the northern and western parts of Poland. The highest density of people with this surname currently live in the Tarnopol region of Ukraine. This region saw a large influx of Polish immigrants in the late 18th century.
The surname is also fairly common in the United States and Canada, where people of Polish descent are typically concentrated in the East Coast states. In the Great Lakes and Midwest region, German immigrants who had changed the spelling of their surname to Woizechowski can also be found.
The surname is also present in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, and Switzerland, although much less commonly than in Poland. In these places, it is usually encountered among communities of immigrants of Polish origin.
Famous people with the name Woizechowski
- Jacek Woźniakowski: Polish footballer and former coach
- Natalia Woźniakowska: former world champion in rhythmic gymnastics
- Adam Woźniakowski: Polish weightlifter and five-time Olympic medalist
- Jan Woźniakowski: Polish actor, theatre director and playwright
- Maciej Woźniakowski: Polish rower, Olympic gold medalist
- Irena Woźniakowska: Polish professional marathon runner
- Zbyszko Woźniakowski: Polish poet, writer, and critic
- Maciej Stanisław Woźniakowski: Polish sculptor and medal-maker
- Stanisław Woźniakowski: Polish journalist and political activist
- Jakub Woźniakowski: Polish tennis player and former Davis Cup player