Polish last names carry centuries of history, tradition, and cultural significance. Whether derived from occupations, nature, or personal traits, each surname tells a story. If you’ve ever wondered about the meaning behind names like Kowalski, Nowak, or Wiśniewski, you’re in the right place!
In this post, we’ll explore over 140 Polish surnames, categorized by their origins, along with their fascinating meanings.
Popular & Common Polish Last Names or Surnames & Their Meanings
Occupational Surnames
Many Polish last names stem from the professions of ancestors. These surnames give us a glimpse into the daily lives of past generations.
- Kowalski – Derived from kowal (blacksmith), meaning “son of the blacksmith.”
- Nowak – Means “newcomer” or “new man,” often given to someone new in a village.
- Młynarz – From młyn (mill), meaning “miller.”
- Krawiec – Means “tailor.”
- Szewczyk – Derived from szewc (shoemaker), meaning “little shoemaker.”
- Cieśla – Means “carpenter.”
- Piekarz – From piekarz (baker).
- Rybak – Means “fisherman.”
- Bednarek – Derived from bednarz (cooper or barrel maker).
- Górnik – Means “miner.”
- Kowalczyk – Another variant of “blacksmith.”
- Tkacz – Means “weaver.”
- Stolarz – Means “cabinetmaker” or “joiner.”
- Garncarz – Means “potter.”
- Karczmarz – Means “innkeeper.”
Surnames Based on Places & Geography
Many Polish last names reflect the landscape, villages, or regions where families originated.
- Wiśniewski – From wiśnia (cherry), meaning “from the place of cherry trees.”
- Dąbrowski – From dąbrowa (oak forest).
- Zalewski – Means “from beyond the forest.”
- Szymański – Indicates origin from a place called Szymany.
- Wójcik – Derived from wójt (village head), meaning “son of the village leader.”
- Jaworski – From jawor (sycamore tree).
- Wróblewski – Means “from the place of sparrows.”
- Kowalewski – “From the blacksmith’s village.”
- Lisowski – “From the place of foxes.”
- Zając – Means “hare,” possibly referring to a fast runner.
- Borkowski – From bór (forest).
- Urbaniak – Derived from urban (city dweller).
Patronymic & Matronymic Surnames
These surnames indicate lineage, often ending in -icz, -wicz, or -ak.
- Janowski – “Son of Jan (John).”
- Piotrowski – “Son of Piotr (Peter).”
- Adamczyk – “Son of Adam.”
- Michałowski – “Son of Michał (Michael).”
- Kazimierski – “Son of Kazimierz (Casimir).”
- Włodarczyk – “Son of Włodarz (steward).”
- Maciejewski – “Son of Maciej (Matthew).”
- Andrzejewski – “Son of Andrzej (Andrew).”
- Kaczmarek – Derived from karczmarz (innkeeper).
- Jankowski – “Son of Janek (John).”
Surnames Based on Personal Traits
Some names describe physical or personality traits of ancestors.
- Wysocki – From wysoki (tall), meaning “tall man.”
- Mały – Means “small” or “short.”
- Biały – Means “white,” possibly referring to hair or complexion.
- Czarny – Means “black,” often describing dark hair or a dark complexion.
- Głowacki – From głowa (head), possibly meaning “big-headed” or “wise.”
- Szybki – Means “fast” or “quick.”
- Grzybowski – From grzyb (mushroom), possibly a forager.
- Wesoły – Means “cheerful” or “happy.”
Nature-Inspired Surnames
Poland’s beautiful landscapes inspired many surnames.
- Kwiatkowski – From kwiat (flower), meaning “from the flower field.”
- Sikora – Means “titmouse” (a small bird).
- Jaworski – From jawor (sycamore tree).
- Sobczyk – Derived from sob (lynx).
- Żuk – Means “beetle.”
- Wilk – Means “wolf.”
- Sowa – Means “owl.”
- Orzeł – Means “eagle.”
Noble & Aristocratic Surnames
Some surnames indicate noble heritage, often ending in -ski or -cki.
- Zamoyski – Associated with the noble Zamoyski family.
- Potocki – A prestigious noble family name.
- Radziwiłł – One of the most powerful noble families in Polish-Lithuanian history.
- Sobieski – Famous from King Jan III Sobieski.
- Czartoryski – A princely family name.
Surnames Derived from Nicknames
Many Polish last names originated from old nicknames, often describing appearance, habits, or quirks.
- Górecki – From góra (mountain), possibly meaning “mountain dweller.”
- Rutkowski – Derived from rutka (a type of plant).
- Kucharski – From kucharz (cook), meaning “son of the cook.”
- Baran – Means “ram,” possibly referring to a stubborn person.
- Król – Means “king,” perhaps a nickname for someone with a regal demeanor.
- Lis – Means “fox,” likely referring to a clever or sly person.
- Kaczor – Means “drake” (male duck), possibly a playful nickname.
- Kozłowski – From kozioł (goat), maybe for an agile or stubborn person.
- Niedźwiedź – Means “bear,” possibly for a strong or large man.
- Żyła – Means “vein,” perhaps a nickname for a miner or someone thin.
Surnames Based on Nature & Animals
Poland’s deep forests, rivers, and wildlife inspired many surnames.
Trees & Plants
- Dąbrowski – From dąbrowa (oak grove).
- Brzeziński – From brzoza (birch tree).
- Jodłowski – From jodła (fir tree).
- Lipski – From lipa (linden tree).
- Sosnowski – From sosna (pine tree).
Animals & Birds
- Zając – “Hare” (fast runner).
- Sikora – “Titmouse” (small bird).
- Wrona – “Crow.”
- Bocian – “Stork.”
- Jastrzębski – From jastrząb (hawk).
Rare & Unique Polish Surnames
Some surnames are less common but carry intriguing histories.
- Brzęczyszczykiewicz – A famously long surname, possibly derived from brzęczeć (to buzz).
- Piechota – Means “infantryman” or “foot soldier.”
- Szczęsny – Means “fortunate” or “lucky.”
- Śmigielski – From śmigać (to dart or move quickly).
- Wichura – Means “storm” or “gale.”
- Zawadzki – From zawada (obstacle), possibly for someone living near rough terrain.
- Żmijewski – From żmija (viper), perhaps a nickname for a sharp-tongued person.
Regional & Ethnic Influences in Polish Surnames
Poland’s history of multiculturalism (Lithuanian, Ukrainian, German, Jewish) influenced some surnames.
- Wilczek (Germanic influence) – Means “little wolf.”
- Nowicki (East Slavic influence) – Derived from nowik (newcomer).
- Kozak – Means “Cossack,” referring to Ukrainian warriors.
- Fiedorowicz – Patronymic name of Greek origin (Theodore).
- Wagner – Of German origin, meaning “wagoner.”
Why Do Polish Surnames Often End in “-ski” or “-icz”?
The -ski suffix originally indicated nobility or land ownership (e.g., Jan Zamoyski = “Jan of Zamosc”). Over time, it became common among all classes. The -wicz/-icz endings (e.g., Janowicz) are patronymic, meaning “son of.”
Fun Fact: The Longest Polish Surname
The longest recorded Polish surname is Brzęczyszczykiewicz (15 letters!), made famous by the movie How I Unleashed World War II.
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Final Thoughts
Polish surnames are a beautiful blend of history, nature, and identity. Whether your last name is occupational, geographic, or trait-based, it carries a piece of your ancestry. Do you recognize any of these names in your family tree? Let us know in the comments!
Do You Have a Polish Surname?
Whether your name is Nowak, Kowalski, or something rare like Żmijewski, each carries a story. Did you find your surname here? Let us know in the comments!
Dziękuję za przeczytanie! (Thank you for reading!) 🇵🇱
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