Surname Wolodkiewicz - Meaning and Origin
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Wolodkiewicz: What does the surname Wolodkiewicz mean?
The last name Wolodkiewicz is a Polish surname. It is derived from the name Vladek, which is a combination of two Slavic words: volod – meaning reign – and kij – meaning club or stick, hence the literal translation of Wolodkiewicz is "club of the ruler". This last name likely originated from a powerful ruler in the region who used a club as his symbol of authority.
The name is also seen in alternative forms, including: Wolodkevich, Wolodkyvich, Wolodka, Valodka, Volyodka, and Vladkiewicz.
The use of the name to refer to a person of noble birth or governmental office speaks to its popularity during Polish history, which is further evidenced by its geographical concentration in areas of Poland such as Nowy Wiśnicz, Lisko, Przemyśl and the region around Radom.
The meaning of this last name is a powerful one – it speaks to the days of long-standing dynasties and of rulers who held the same power as kings. It is a tribute to the honorable ancestors from whom this name is derived, and it is a reminder of the pillars of strength and leadership that have held Poland together for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisWolodkiewicz: Where does the name Wolodkiewicz come from?
The surname Wolodkiewicz is most commonly found among families of Polish descent. It is a traditional Slavic name, with its root words “wolo” and “dzik” meaning to possess or own wild animals - an appropriate descriptor for a family from the area. This name mostly originates from the southeastern area of Poland, including the towns of Przemyšl, Rzeszów, Krosno, and Lubaczów.
Families of this name immigrated in the late 19th century and early 20th century, primarily to the United States, though some stayed in Europe or did not emigrate far. Today, more than 120,000 people around the world have this surname. The largest areas of concentration are in Poland, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Switzerland, and Argentina.
In the United States, most people with the last name of Wolodkiewicz are likely to be descendants of the original family from southeast Poland, and the name is most prevalent in the Midwestern and Northeastern states. Most notably, it is in the top five names of Wisconsin, which has a longstanding Polish history and where many immigrants found ways to settle and thrive.
Beyond the United States, the largest population in the world with the surname Wolodkiewicz is in Poland, especially in or near the regions of the originating families. In other countries, it is also prevalently seen in Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, where Polish and Eastern European immigration was common during the 20th century.
Variations of the surname Wolodkiewicz
The surname Wolodkiewicz is of Slavonic origin and typically found in Poland and Belarus. It is associated with the town of Wolodkowo and is believed to have derived from an older form of the surname Waldek, which translates to "one who rules".
Common variants of Wolodkiewicz include Wolodkowicz, Vlodek, Wolodkevich, Wolodkevitz, Vlodkevich, Wlodek, Wlodkiewicz, Wlodkevich, Wlodkevitz.
Variants of the surname are spelt differently depending on the language and country in which it is used, with different regional spellings such as Volodkevich and Volodkovich (Belarus), Vilodkovič (Czech Republic), and Wolotycki (Ukraine). Similarly, surnames derived from Wolodkiewicz but with a different etymology include Vlodkovsky, Vosek, and Vossek, which also feature regional variations.
Surnames deriving from Wolodkiewicz can be found in many parts of the world, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States of America, which is likely due to past and present emigration. In addition, the surname is also in use in England and Scotland as a result of English-Polish marriages and Polish immigration in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The surname Wolodkiewicz is not uncommon in Europe, and has become increasingly popular in other parts of the world as a result of continuing migration. Therefore, today it is possible to find people of different nationalities who share the same surname.
Famous people with the name Wolodkiewicz
- Dr. Tadeusz Włodkiewicz: scientific activist, inventor, philosopher, and physicist
- Edward Włodkiewicz: a former Polish field hockey player
- Krystyna Włodkiewicz: first female professor of the University of Warsaw
- Dariusz Włodkiewicz: former co-owner of the newspaper "Parkiet"
- Danuta Włodkiewicz: Polish veterinarian
- Andrzej Włodkiewicz: Polish Olympic athlete
- Kasia Włodkiewicz: Polish writer and researcher
- Wojciech Włodkiewicz: skilled observer from the Institute of Astronomy in Warsaw
- Magdalena Włodkiewicz: Polish sculptress
- Frank Włodkiewicz: vice president of the online retail clothing company Modnique
- Jakub Włodkiewicz: Polish architect and lecturer
- Korneliusz Włodkiewicz: owner of the largest carpentry workshop in Poland
- Paulina Włodkiewicz: head of Life Sciences at the Millennium Institute in Warsaw
- Valerie Włodkiewicz: American singer-songwriter of Polish descent
- Roman Włodkiewicz: former mayor of the city of Joliet, Illinois
- Aleksandra Włodkiewicz: Polish-American children's author