Surname Wojt - Meaning and Origin
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Wojt: What does the surname Wojt mean?
The last name Wojt is of Polish origin and is derived from the personal name Wojtek, which translates to “he who is joyful” or “joyful warrior.” The name was commonly used in honor of soldiers who had fought for the Polish army throughout the centuries.
Historically, the name Wojt was a reference to a high-ranking nobleman of Polish descent who owned a large estate. Today, the name Wojt is still strongly associated with strong, brave, and righteous characters. Many branches of the Wojt family settled in the United States during the 19th century.
The name Wojt is most often found in those with Polish roots. It is believed to have originated with the Wojciechowski family, who lived in the historical region of Lesser Poland in the 10th century. It has since spread into other parts of the world, particularly in the US, Australia, and Canada.
As with many other Polish surnames, the last name Wojt is still used as a patronymic surname, created by adding the suffix ‘ski’ onto the first name Wojtek. This suffix, used to denote a family line, is also used in other Slavic countries.
Across the world, the Wojt family is renowned for its independence and courage, traits that have been acknowledged throughout history. The name Wojt symbolizes honor, respect, and strength; all traits that define a true Wojt.
Order DNA origin analysisWojt: Where does the name Wojt come from?
The last name Wojt is most commonly found today in Eastern Europe and in parts of Western Europe. It is primarily a Polish surname; however, the name is also associated with Armenians and with the Jews of Eastern Europe.
In Poland, the surname is one of the more common family names, with an estimated 90,000 people sharing the Wojt surname. It is the 118th most common surname in Poland, and is linked to the north-central region of the country - Wojt is the 87th most common surname in the Masovian Voivodeship, and the 139th most common in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, giving the surname concentrations in both these regions.
In the USA, the surname Wojt is much less common, with only 317 people estimated to have the name, according to the US 2020 census. The biggest concentration of the surname can be found in New York. The UK has a similar population of 267 Wojt's across the country.
The origins of the surname are suggested to have come from the Polish word for "mayor" or "leader". It is therefore likely to have come from the name of a "leader" or noble man, and so Wojt would be a surname taken by his family. During the Middle Ages, the surname was most likely used for individuals in a village who held a position or title of importance.
Variations of the surname Wojt
The surname Wojt is commonly found in multiple countries including Poland, Germany, and Slovakia. The surname is derived from the Polish and Slavic word, ‘wojt’, which literally translates to ‘village headman’ as its meaning.
Variants for this name include Wojtek, Wojtyla, Vojt, Wojta, Wojtacek, Wojtanowski, Wojtas, Wojtaszek, and Wojs. Pronounced differently, the Czech version of the surname is Vojs.
The Germanised version of Wojt is Waitz. The Polish spelling of this name is also sometimes spelled Wojsz or Wisz.
One example of a surname derived from its origin is the name Wojtowicz. This surname is derived from a male first name, Wojciech (Voytek in Slovakian), which has its root in the word ‘Wojt’.
Wojcik (Vojcik) is yet another alternative surname related to Wojt, which was originally derived from the Czech phrase for ‘son of Wojt’.
In conclusion, there are many different variants, spellings, and surnames connected to the origin of Wojt. The most common of these include Wojtek, Wojtyla, Vojt, Wojta, Wojtacek, Wojtaś, Wojtaszek, Wojcik, Waitz, and Wojciech.
Famous people with the name Wojt
- Ivona Wojt: a famous Polish writer and journalist
- Piotr Wojt: a Polish football player
- Ryszard Wojt: a former road and track cyclist
- Jakub Wojt: a Polish football player
- Hanna Wojt: a famous Polish singer
- Maciej Wojt: a well-known Polish entrepreneur
- Mariusz Wojt: a Polish football player
- Jakub Wojt: a Polish television director
- Tomasz Wojt: a Polish TV presenter
- Piotr Wojt: a Polish football player
- Michał Wojt: a Polish tennis player
- Marcin Wojt: a Polish racing driver
- Jan Wojt: a Polish politician
- Anna Wojt: a Polish actress
- Jarosław Wojt: a Polish attorney and former politician
- Wiktor Wojt: a Polish video game streamer
- Michał Wojtkowski: a Polish professional basketball player
- Dariusz Wojt: a Polish footballer