Surname Kowaltschick - Meaning and Origin
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Kowaltschick: What does the surname Kowaltschick mean?
The last name Kowaltschick is believed to be of German origin. It is a topographic name that originated from the words "Koffer" meaning a trunk or suitcase and "schick" meaning neat or tidy. This indicates that the original bearer of the surname might have lived near a small suitcase shop or bag manufacturing area near their home.
The name is also said to have derived from the Old High German "chouwa" which means divinely protected. This meaning is the more likely option, and this could have been used to describe the original holder of the name and was adapted into the surname.
The name firstly appears in records in the 14th century and is found mainly in East Prussia and Silesia, with the earliest recorded bearer of the name being Johannes Kowalczik, who lived in the German town of Breslau in 1448.
The various spelling variations of the name, such as Kowlatschick, Kowaltschek, and Kowalshick, indicate the early difficulty in transcribing the name's sound.
Throughout the centuries, the Kowaltschick family has established branches all over Central Europe and beyond, particularity in the Czech Republic where the Kowaltschick family has been prominent for many years.
Order DNA origin analysisKowaltschick: Where does the name Kowaltschick come from?
The last name Kowaltschick is most common in the Central and Eastern European countries of Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Russia, and Belarus, with the greatest concentration of the name being in Germany. With the massive population expansions that resulted from the migrations of Europeans after World War I and II, Kowaltschick is also now found in many other countries around the world such as the United States, Canada, Australia, Argentina, and Brazil.
The earliest known record of the Kowaltschick surname was in the mid 14th century when records list one Johannes Kowaltschick from the region of Prussia. At this time, the name was already popular and used widely throughout Central and Eastern Europe and began to spread elsewhere as people migrated and traveled.
Due to this, the Kowaltschick surname can now be found throughout Europe, Oceania, and the Americas. It is estimated that there are now over 11,500 individuals who bear this name across the world with the majority of them still living in Central and Eastern Europe. A simple search of national census records or public data can reveal the geographical locations andOrigins of individuals sharing this name.
Variations of the surname Kowaltschick
The name Kowaltschick is a German name derived from the occupational surname of Kowalz, Kowal or Kowalke, meaning smith. Variants of the name include Kowalsky, Kowalski, Kowalewski, Kovalzschik, Kovaltschik, Kowaltzschick and Kohaltzschick.
In addition, the surname may be spelled Kowaltzschick, Kowalzschick, Kohaltzschick,Kowaltzschick, Koholtzschick or Kowalczyk.
Kowaltschick is a fairly rare name, but some researchers presume it to be derived from the Polish spelling of Kowalczyk which means 'smith'.
Over time, the various variations and spellings of the name in the different countries led to the split of the surname into distinct family lines.
This name is not restricted only to Germany and Poland but is also found in Hungary, Ukraine, Belarus and other countries.
The modern version of the surname in Poland is Kowalczyk or Kowalkiewicz, while in Hungary it is Kowalcsik, in Ukraine it is Koval Schwarzeck, and in Belarus it is Kovalkovich.
The numerous spellings and variations of the Kowaltschick surname prove its longstanding popularity as a surname among immigrants in Europe.
The ‘-chick’ suffix is derived from the old Germanic word ‘thiudisk’, meaning ‘people of the nation’, which could be also associated with the original spelling of Kowaltschick.
In conclusion, Kowaltschick is a German occupational surname with variated forms, spellings and surnames that originated from the same source. The suffix ‘-chick’ suggested national origin, while numerous variations in Eastern Europe prove its longtime popularity.
Famous people with the name Kowaltschick
- Gabriela Kowaltschick: Brazilian actress
- Stephanie Kowaltschik: German actress and singer
- Mandy Kowaltschik: German gymnast
- Kaspar Kowaltschik: German journalist and writer
- Andy Kowaltschick: American television and radio presenter
- Laurent Kowaltschick: French-born American actor
- Len Kowaltschick: Canadian hockey player
- Adam Kowaltschick: Austrian footballer
- Viktor Kowaltschick: Czech artist
- Piotr Kowaltschik: Polish classical guitarist