Surname Wolkowitz - Meaning and Origin
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Wolkowitz: What does the surname Wolkowitz mean?
The last name Wolkowitz is a Jewish Ashkenazic last name, deriving from the Polish town of Wolka. This surname is believed to have originated during the 13th century, from the word 'wola' meaning 'a village in the fields' in Old Polish. Historically, Wolkowitz was bestowed upon those born in Wolka as a sign of differentiating one's place of origin.
Throughout the years, the surname has been altered, ranging from Wolkowicz to Wlkowitsch, and finally to the more Anglicized form of Wolkowitz. This last name can be found mainly amongst the descendants of Polish Jews who eventually resettled in Austria, Germany, France, the United States, and other countries.
In more recent times, the surname Wolkowitz is primarily associated with scholars and academics. In the 19th century, Jacob Wolkowitz was a noted Hebrew scholar who made great contributions to the study of ancient Jewish customs and ceremonies. Chaim Wolkowitz, a professor of Jewish Law, was a prominent Judaica professor at Bar Ilan University in Israel. Wolkowitz is also the surname of noted anthropology professor Robert Wolkowit.
In summary, Wolkowitz is an Ashkenazic Jewish surname with a Polish origin. It is a surname that has, over the centuries, been adopted by a number of scholars and academics who have made important contributions to their respective fields.
Order DNA origin analysisWolkowitz: Where does the name Wolkowitz come from?
The last name Wolkowitz is quite common today and is mainly found in the United States and Israel. America is home to a significant number of Wolkowitz families, with some of them having emigrated to the United States in the 19th and 20th centuries from feuding countries in Europe such as Poland, Romania, Hungary, and Russia. The name can also be found in places such as Canada, South Africa, and Australia.
The spelling of the last name may vary slightly depending on which country the family originated from. In the United States, the majority of people use the spelling Wolkowitz, but in some place like Israel, the name might be spelled Wolkovitz.
In addition to the above mentioned countries, the Wolkowitz name can also be found in Peru, Brazil, Spain, the UK, and parts of Asia, including India and China. As Jewish families have continued to migrate from country to country throughout the centuries, the prevalence of the Wolkowitz name has grown, creating a larger and more widespread family tree.
Variations of the surname Wolkowitz
The surname Wolkowitz is an Ashkenazi Jewish surname found mainly in German-speaking countries. It is derived from the Hebrew phrase "Volk" which means "people," then combined with the suffix "-witz," indicating a patronymic or family name. Derivatives of the surname include Wolkowich, Wolkowitz, Wolkowsky, Wolkowicz, Wolkovitch, Vilkovich, Vilkowitz, Volkovitch, and Volkovicz.
In some cases, variants of the surname have evolved in the process of assimilation. For example, Wolkowitz became Wallkowitz or Wallczowitz due to the rise of nationalistic feelings among German-speaking Jews during the 1800s, in an effort to sound more "German." In addition, spelling variations are often the result of traditional rules of Jewish transcription and the interpretation of the original name into Roman characters.
The surname is also known by alternative spellings, such as the Czech variation Volkovice. This surname is reported to be found mainly in Czech and Slovakia, and is derived from the Latin locational name Volkovice, a hamlet in south-western Bohemia. Similarly, the Polish variation Wlkowicz is of Slavic origin, derived from the locational name of Wlkowice near Poznán in west-central Poland.
Variations on the same surname also exist in other cultures, such as Woolkoff in Russia, Wolkooff in the U.S., and Wolkoff in Latvia. These variations could be a result of mistaken record-keeping, or due to immigrants dropping or assimilating the ending of the surname to fit in with local societies. Whatever the origin, there is no doubt that the Wolkowitz surname has proliferated across several cultures over the centuries.
Famous people with the name Wolkowitz
- Joel Wolkowitz: American psychoneuroendocrinologist whose research focuses on aging, mental illness, Alzheimer's Disease, and autism.
- Melissa Wolkowitz: American lawyer and businesswoman who served as Deputy Commissioner of Business Licensing and Consumer Affairs as part of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's leadership team.
- Seth Wolkowitz: American real-estate entrepreneur and philanthropist who co-founded Saratoga Capital.
- Rob Wolkowitz: Canadian venture capitalist and philanthropist who is the President and Co-Founder of Launchpad Venture Group.
- Andrew Wolkowitz: American physician, nutritional researcher, and writer who has been nationally recognized for his groundbreaking research on omega-3 fatty acids.
- Billy Wolkowitz: American playwright and actor known for his works such as The Queen of Brooklyn and Waterfalls.
- Amy Wolkowitz: American mixed-media artist, sculptor, and interior designer who creates abstract artworks and has exhibited in galleries nationally.
- Mark Wolkowitz: American music producer and DJ who is currently the Executive Music Producer for MTV.
- Kevin Wolkowitz: American film producer whose credits include the films A Walk to Remember, Chasing Liberty, and the documentary interview series Going Green with Benjy.
- Dawn Wolkowitz: American costume designer who has worked on films such as Femme Fatale, I Spy, and Saw 3D.