Surname Wojtovicz - Meaning and Origin
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Wojtovicz: What does the surname Wojtovicz mean?
Wojtowicz is a common Polish surname and is derived from the roots “wojt” meaning “commander” or “comes” and “wicz” which signifies “son of”. It is generally accepted to mean “son of a commander”, and is believed to denote the inheritance of authority from a commander. This may have connections to military duty, territorial stewardship, or nobility.
It is an old name, widely known in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. During the 15th to 18th centuries, this region was under the shared rule of the Polish and Lithuanian kingdoms and had some nobles that held positions of power and influence. It is likely that the name Wojtowicz was taken on by families who were affiliated with these aristocrats.
The name continues to be popular throughout Poland today and is also found in other countries in Europe as well as in the United States, Canada, and Australia. It corresponds to various similar sounding names; Wojcicki, Wojcik, Wojtyla, and Wojtyna, among others.
Though the origins of the name Wojtowicz remain unknown, it is a tribute to a proud Polish heritage and an important reminder of the family’s place in history. The Wojtowicz name has passed down through generations and remains an important part of many family histories.
Order DNA origin analysisWojtovicz: Where does the name Wojtovicz come from?
The last name Wojtovicz is common among people of Polish descent. The family may have come to Poland from the Baltic area, specifically Lithuania. The name is believed to come from the Slavic root wojt, which means ruler or leader. It is estimated that the surname Wojtovicz is currently held by over 11,000 people in Poland alone, making it one of the more popular surnames in Poland.
The surname is also present in other Slavic countries, including Russia. Within the United States, Wojtovicz is an uncommon name, but is found in certain states. According to the US census, the last name is most common in Illinois, New Jersey, and Wyoming. Many members of the Wojtovicz family have immigrated to America and Canada from Poland, utilizing the opportunities for a better life offered by these countries.
The Wojtovicz family is likely to be a highly traditional family, and members tend to pass down their heritage to the next generations. As a result, the last name can be found in several generations, with the greatest concentration occurring in areas where there is a higher concentration of Polish immigrants. The surname might also appear in certain Ukrainian and Belarusian points due to the past migrations given the strong historic connections between all the Slavic countries.
Variations of the surname Wojtovicz
The surname Wojtovicz is of Polish-Slavic origins and is derived from the Polish name Wojciech. Variations of this surname include: Wojtowicz, Wojtowich, Wojtovic, Wojtowych, Wojtovits, Wojtovitch, and Wojtovitch.
In its original Polish spelling, the surname Wojtovicz derives from the given name Wojciech (sometimes anglicized to Vladimir, Velimir or William). The given name is derived from the Old Slavic word ‘voji’ which means ‘war’, and ‘tekh’ meaning ‘powerful’. This lends to the surname’s basic meaning of “the powerful one in battle”.
In other cases, the surname Wojtovicz is associated with the given name Tschitschko, which is of Ukrainian and Russian origin and is also cognate to the given name Wojciech. This given name is derived from the root ‘tschik’ meaning ‘sharp’ or ‘clever’. Therefore, the surname can also be interpreted to mean “clever in battle”.
Various spellings of the surname abound, including Wojtich, Wojtech, Wojtiech, Wojtekh, Vojtovych, Voytovych, Voytechko and even Vyetnikov. Other cognate Slavic surnames of similar origin include Wojceika, Ofitch, Wojceslaw and Wojceka.
Variants of the surname Wojtovicz point to a common origin, and its popularity is still prevalent among those of Slavic descent in central and eastern Europe.
Famous people with the name Wojtovicz
- Marcin Wojtowicz: a Polish actor and former footballer.
- Jakub Wojtowcz: a Polish professional ice hockey player.
- Krzysztof Wojtowicz: a Polish sprint canoeist.
- Anna Wojtowicz: an American business leader, with a degree in economics from Harvard Business School.
- Emanuel Wojtowicz: a former Polish table tennis player.
- Henryk Wojtowicz: a Polish footballer.
- Michal Wojtowicz: a professional footballer from Poland.
- Ryszard Wojtowicz: a former Polish badminton player.
- Wojciech Wojtowicz: a Polish film director and screenwriter.
- Zdzislaw Wojtowicz: a Polish Olympic kayaker.