Surname Woycik - Meaning and Origin
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Woycik: What does the surname Woycik mean?
The last name Woycik is of Polish origin. It is derived from the Polish word "woy" meaning a shepherd and has several spelling variations.
The root of the name Woycik is the Polish word “woy”, which means a shepherd, and actually translates to a “shepherd of sheep”. Historically, the name was given to people who herded either sheep or cattle, as well as to those who lived in a place where sheep or pigs were kept. It is thought that the surname derived independently from the occupation of the father, as was often the case in the Middle Ages.
Today, the popularity of the Woycik surname varies. It is most commonly found in central and eastern Europe, particularly in Poland. It is also quite common in the United States, where a large number of Polish immigrants arrived during the 19th and 20th centuries. People holding the last name Woycik are typically associated with Polish Catholic heritage.
The Woycik surname continues to be relatively popular, as people continue to bear the name and it is often passed down through generations of families in the same region. People bearing the name Woycik may feel a strong sense of pride and connection to their Polish roots, since it symbolizes a long family heritage and is associated with their culture.
Order DNA origin analysisWoycik: Where does the name Woycik come from?
The last name Woycik is most commonly found in Poland today, though it can also be found in countries that have had large numbers of Polish immigrants, such as Canada, the United States, and other parts of Europe. In Poland, Woycik is among the top 250 surnames (number 239 to be exact), and is especially concentrated in areas such as Greater Poland, Pomerania, and Silesia.
Outside of Poland, Canada is home to the second-largest concentration of Woycik, where more than 600 people living there carry this surname. The United States also has a strong Woycik presence, with a bit less than 500 people in the country currently having it. In both countries, the surname can be found anyway states, though it is most common in areas that had (or have) large numbers of Polish immigrants, such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Illinois. Woycik is also present in other countries in Europe, including Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands, as well as in parts of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
As is true for many Polish last names, Woycik is most likely derived from the root word "woj" which means warrior or soldier. The surname itself likely comes from the older form of the word (Woyto), and it has evolved over time to its modern form. Given that the surname is so common in Poland, it is also possible that it is derived from other sources, including first names, place names, occupations, etc.
Variations of the surname Woycik
The surname Woycik is of Slavic and Polish origin. It is derived from the Old Slavonic word ‘Woyk’, which means ‘with force, strength’ or ‘high courage.’ It is also commonly spelled Wojcik, Woytowicz, Wojtowicz, Wojtowiez, Woytek and Wojtek.
In Slavic countries, Roman-Catholics often use -owicz endings to create surnames such as Wojcik and Wojtowicz. This ending is derived from the Polish name ‘Adamowicz’, which is derived from the forename ‘Adam’.
The root of Woycik can also be found in the Old-Saxon name ‘Wotec’. This name was used by the Saxons in the Middle Ages. It is a combination of ‘Wod’ which means ‘fierce’ or ‘strong’ and ‘tec’ which means ‘people’. This combination is used to mean ‘the fierce people’.
The variations of Woycik found in different countries include the Dutch name Woijtkay, Czech Wojtke and the Lithuanian name Woytkiewicz. The surnames Wojtek and Wojtowicz are quite popular in Poland.
In other countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, the surname may be recorded as Vojtas, Voytko, Wojcicki, Voytovick, and Wojtasik. Variants of this surname can also be found in the United States as Voycek, Voytko, and Voytek.
All of these variations of the surname Woycik have the same origin and all share the same meaning – ‘with force, strength’ or ‘high courage’.
Famous people with the name Woycik
- Barbara Woycik, Canadian-born artist and sculptor
- Edward Woycik, American technology entrepreneur and philanthropist
- Ellen Woycik, American professional tennis player
- Edward Woycik Jr., American businessman and entrepreneur
- Ewa Woycik, Polish bronze medalist in figure skating
- Mike Woycik, American professional wrestler
- Ronnie Woycik, American ballroom dancer and choreographer
- Steven Woycik, American actor and writer
- Thomas Woycik, American science fiction author
- Tony Woycik, American former soccer player and coach