Surname Wojcechowski - Meaning and Origin
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Wojcechowski: What does the surname Wojcechowski mean?
The last name Wojcechowski is a Polish surname with a long history. The original form of the name was Wojciechowski, derived from the given name Wojciech, itself from the Polish elements "woj" meaning war, and "ciech" meaning joy. In the 12th century the name was popularized by Polish Saint Wojciech, Bishop of Kraków, and the name has been associated with Poland ever since.
The surname is numerous in Poland, and is often found in the United States due to immigration. Wojcechowski is the most commonly found spelling. Immigrants typically anglicized the name to simply Woj or Wojo, the latter more common in America today.
The surname is still found in many spellings today, including Wojciechowski, Wojsiechowski, Wojcechowski, and Woycechowski. The main bearer of this name is Elżbieta Wojcechowska, a Polish astronomer, and there is an asteroid called 822 Wojcechowski in her honour.
The name is heavily associated with Poland and Polish heritage, carrying with it a strength and pride. For those bearing the name Wojcechowski, it is a symbol of their heritage that links them to the history of Poland.
Order DNA origin analysisWojcechowski: Where does the name Wojcechowski come from?
The last name Wojcechowski is commonly found today in places where Eastern European immigration is high, especially in Poland. It is also found in Germany, the United States, and the Czech Republic.
In Poland, Wojcechowski is one of the most common surnames, with over 150,000 people carrying the name and making it the 24th most popular surname in the country. The name is a patronymic form of the first name Wojciech and is typically derived from the Latin name "Voi(t)cechus", meaning "glory of the Lord".
In the United States, Wojcechowski is the 676th most common surname. Here, it is most often found in Midwestern and Southern states where Eastern European immigration has been most prominent. The states of Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin are where it is most commonly seen.
In Germany, Wojcechowski is a somewhat less common name, ranking 271st out of all German names. However, it is still relatively popular, with over 6,500 people currently carrying the name.
Finally, in the Czech Republic, Wojcechowski is the 286th most commonly used surname. This is a relatively low ranking, but is still seen among many Czechs who either gained the name naturally or emigrated from their home countries.
Overall, the last name Wojcechowski is still a common one and can be seen in many parts of Europe and the United States. Its prominence and usage have only grown since its inception, and it is likely to remain popular for many more years to come.
Variations of the surname Wojcechowski
The surname Wojcechowski is an old Polish family name, thought to originate from the word ‘Wojciech’—the name of a Slavic saint who was martyred in the ninth century. Wojcechowski is also commonly spelled Wojciechowski or Wojtowicz.
Variants of the name Wojcechowski include Wojcechowska, Wojcik, Wojciechowski, and Wojtowicz. Variants with an extra "i" are also common, including Wojciechowskie, Wojtowiczki, and Wojcikowskie.
Other Polish surnames with similar origins include Wojtas, Wojtin, Wojt, and Wojteck. These names are often formed by adding either the Polish suffixes -ska/-cki/-ki to the stem form of the name.
The diminutive forms of Wojcechowski can also create distinctive surnames. These include Wojsiek, Wojcieszek, Wojteczek, and Wojtaszek.
Additionally, surnames such as Wojcieszyn, Wojnowski, and Wojtysiak can also derive from Wojcechowski. Such names are formed by adding the suffix -yn/-owski/-ski/-siak to the stem form.
Lastly, Wojcechowski can be shortened to forms such as Wojcech or even Woj. Such abbreviations might also be used to create variants like Wojszcz.
Famous people with the name Wojcechowski
- Radoslaw Wojcechowski: an actor from Poland most recently known for his role in the 2020 Netflix Original miniseries “The Eddy”.
- Michalina Wojciechowska: a Polish TV presenter, actress and model.
- Marcin Wojcechowski: a Polish independent recording artist.
- Tomasz Wojcechowski: a former Polish footballer who is currently managing Warta Poznan.
- Jan Wojciechowski: a Polish politician that served as Minister of Agriculture, as well as a Member of the European Parliament.
- Romuald Wojciechowski: a Polish novelist and poet.
- Paulina Wojciechowska: a Polish snowboarder who competed at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
- Kazimierz Wojciechowski: a Polish doctor and Major General in the Polish Army who served during the Second World War.
- Patryk Wojcechowski: a Polish game developer, writer and composer.
- Pawel Wojcechowski: a retired Polish sprinter.