Surname Woytzyk - Meaning and Origin

Woytzyk: What does the surname Woytzyk mean?

The last name Woytzyk originates from the Slavic language, meaning “son of Woyt”, with Woyt being an old form of the popular name Wojciech. Wojciech is derived from Jocelyn, meaning ‘may the Lord add’ - emphasizing a God-given addition by the baby’s parents.

The name is particularly popular in countries of Eastern Europe with a large Catholic population, such as Poland, Belarus, and Lithuania. From 2008 - 2012, Woytzyk was the 35th most popular surname in Poland.

The most common spelling is Woytzyk, but this name has been anglicized in some cases to Wiatzka, Wiefkowski, Wioeckowski, and even White.

Wojciech, and consequently Woytzyk has a long and proud history. The most famous bearer was a Polish 13th century knight named Wojciech who assisted in driving the Teutonic Knights out of Prussia during the Second Crusade.

The name is still much beloved today and when encountered, it usually connotes a person of honorable, courageous, and strong character.

Woytzyk: Where does the name Woytzyk come from?

The last name Woytzyk is most commonly found today in Poland. According to the US Census Bureau, there were over 14,000 individuals with this surname living in the United States in 2020.

In Poland, the origin of the surname is found in villages and small towns throughout the country. The highest concentration of Woytzyks is recorded in the Greater Poland region of western Poland. As the area was part of the German Empire before World War I, many of the Woytzyks have German roots.

Woytzyks in the US are primarily descended from Polish immigrants who came to America towards the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. According to the US Census Bureau, the states with the largest numbers of individuals with the last name Woytzyk are Illinois, New York, and Pennsylvania.

The Woytzyk surname is most often found with individuals of Polish descent. However, due to successive generations being spread across the globe, individuals of various backgrounds have adopted the surname for themselves, even if they have no direct connection to its Polish roots. It is a common surname found throughout the United States, as well as Europe, South America, and Australia.

Variations of the surname Woytzyk

Variants and spellings of the surname Woytzyk include Woyczyk, Woiczyk, Voiczyk, Voytzyk, Voyczyk, Voyczek, Wojczek, Woiczeck and Wojtowicz. These are all derived from the Slavic root word “voj”, meaning “war”. Thus, Woytzyk is a patronymic surname that indicates a relationship or descent from a warrior or military leader. It is an occupational surname, and could have initially been given to an ancestor who fought in a battle or commanded an army.

The surname Woytzyk is common in Central and Eastern Europe, and can also be found in Ukraine, Poland, Belarus, Slovenia, Croatia, and Slovakia. Many people in these regions also have variations of the surname, such as Woyczyk, Voiczyk, and Voyczyk. In many areas, the spelling of the name has changed over time due to phonetic shifts, resulting in spellings that differ from and approximate the original surname.

In the United States, Woytzyk is also a common surname, particularly among those of Polish and Ukrainian descent. The spelling in this country also varies. Variations include Voytzy, Voytko, Woicek, and Woytek.

The surname Woytzyk is of noble and prestigious origin, because it was once associated with high ranking military personnel. It is a notable and historic surname, and still a great source of pride and admiration for those who bear it today.

Famous people with the name Woytzyk

• Lothar Woytzyk, German Footballer
• Henry Woytzyk, American Major League Baseball Player
• Erich Woytzyk, German Film and Television Actor
• Stan Woytzyk, American Professional Wrestler
• Marek Woytzyk, Polish Professional Footballer
• Robert Woytzyk, American Painter
• Anna Woytzyk, Polish Actress and Theatre Director
• Franziska Woytzyk, German Film, Television and Theatre Actress
• Malgorzata Woytzyk, Polish Voice Actor
• Matilde Woytzyk, German Painter and Sculptor
• Leonard Woytzyk, American Writer and Historian
• Alex Woytzyk, Canadian Football Player
• Katrina Woytzyk, American Model and Actress
• Eric Woytzyk, American Animal Rights Activist
• Andrea Woytzyk, German Theatre and Film Actress
• Fritz Woytzyk, German Project Manager and Resource Planner
• Lucyna Woytzyk, Polish Actress and Television Presenter
• George Woytzyk, American Film and Television Director
• Karl-Heinz Woytzyk, German Political Scientist
• Maria Woytzyk, German Actress and Film Editor

Other surnames

Woytzik