Surname Wysocki - Meaning and Origin

Wysocki: What does the surname Wysocki mean?

The last name Wysocki is of Polish origin and the surname is derived from a Slavic word meaning “descendant of the village headman” or “descendant of the farmer”. The surname likely came about as a way to distinguish between people from the same area, or with similar hereditary roles.

The original meaning of the name Wysocki implies that it was a name given to the head of a village or the leader of the main farming family in that region. It is likely that this role gave a person certain leadership responsibilities in their community. Common English variants of the surname include Wisocki, Wyssok, Vysok, and Wysoki.

Today the last name Wysocki is quite common in Poland, Belarus, Slovakia, and other parts of Central and Eastern Europe. It also has spread to the United States, having been carried over with a number of Polish immigrants. In the US, states with high concentrations of people named Wysocki include Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

The name Wysocki today is usually associated with hard work, strong leadership, and a family-oriented mindset. Over time, the name has become a symbol of pride for those who carry it and is a reminder of their Polish heritage and the origins of their family.

Wysocki: Where does the name Wysocki come from?

The last name Wysocki is most commonly found throughout the United States, Germany and Poland. It is believed to be of Slavic origin and was first found in areas now located in Germany and Poland. In the United States, records of the last name begin in the late 1800s, primarily within the many Polish enclaves that had begun to take shape in urban areas.

Today, the greatest concentration of families bearing the last name Wysocki can be found in the states of Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Illinois. In Wisconsin alone, more than 8,000 people hold the name Wysocki. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, these individuals represent 0.02% of all individuals living within the state. Further analysis of the census data reveals that most of these individuals reside within the major metropolitan areas of Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Green Bay and Appleton.

Research conducted through Ancestry.com also confirms that the name Wysocki is both a very popular and common name amongst those of Polish decent in the United States. It is said to be the 32nd most common name among all Polish surnames. Furthermore, a 2014 study demonstrates that on average, there are 21 Wysocki families living in the United States at any given time.

All things considered, it is safe to say that the name Wysocki remains a common name throughout the United States, especially in the major cities and townships of Wisconsin. It has remained popular throughout history and part of that can be attributed to its Slavic heritage and close ties to Polish and German culture.

Variations of the surname Wysocki

The variants, spellings, and surnames for the surname Wysocki all originate from the same name. The most common spelling of Wysocki is a combination of the Polish Wysocki and the Ukrainian Vysotsky. Other variations of this surname include Wisocki, Wysochanski, Wyszocki, Vysotskyi, Wysochanskyi, Wysocki, Vysotska, and Vysotskiy.

In some instances, Wysocki can also be found spelled Wiczkowski, Wysochanski, Wyssochanski, Wisocki, Wyszowski, Wiszkiewicz, and Wiskiewicz. Occasionally, Wysocki is also found with a second name such as Jóssef, Kazimierz, Stanisław, or Tadeusz.

The surname Wysocki is derived from the Slavic word Высоцкий (Vysotskiy), meaning “high.” Thus the surname could refer to someone living in a high place, or a person of status who was “high” in the social hierarchies of old Poland.

Wysocki is a popular and widely-used surname throughout Poland and other Slavic countries, as well as in Jewish communities. Although it’s primarily found in Poland, due to martial migration of Poles, there are many examples of the surname being used in other countries, such as the United States.

Famous people with the name Wysocki

• John Wysocki: American actor best known for his roles in the television series, Criminal Minds and Days of Our Lives
• Jan Wysocki: Polish alpine ski racer who competed in the 1988 Winter Olympics
• James Wysocki: American illustrator and graphic designer, who created artwork for such movies as E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and Jurassic Park
• Gary Wysocki: American professional golfer who has won multiple PGA Tour events
• Virginia Wysocki: American classical pianist who has performed worldwide
• Scott Wysocki: American cross country skier who competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics
• Emmett Wysocki: Former professional soccer player who played for the L.A. Galaxy
• Mike Wysocki: American professional wrestler best known for his appearances in the 1990s and 2000s
• Brandy Wysocki: American model and contestant on the television series, America’s Next Top Model
• Joanna Wysocka: Polish molecular biologist, researcher, and professor, who is known for her pioneering work in stem cell biology

Other surnames

Wysocka