Surname Kraiewski - Meaning and Origin
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Kraiewski: What does the surname Kraiewski mean?
Kraiewski is a Polish surname derived from the verb kraić (to cut). The name was most likely originally given to a family of cutters or sawyers who made their living by cutting logs into boards and planks. The suffix -ewski was added to indicate the family's place of origin, so the literal translation of the name is 'one from Kraje or Kroje' - places in Poland.
In Poland, the Kraiewski surname is quite common, with around 1,500 people bearing the name in the present day. Although its roots remain firmly in Poland, the surname has now spread as far as the United States, with an estimated 500 individuals having the surname and spread across the entire country.
Although the Kraiewski surname may have been adopted by many families in the intervening centuries, its meaning remains as clear as ever. It is a reminder of the ancient roots of the family and its history of hard work and dedication to craftsmanship. It is also a reminder of the importance of place in the Polish culture, with names carrying information as to where one originated from. The surname is truly a testament to the legacy of family, hard work, and tradition.
Order DNA origin analysisKraiewski: Where does the name Kraiewski come from?
The last name Kraiewski is a relatively uncommon surname in most locations worldwide, based on available data from surname distribution databases.
The largest population of people with this name are concentrated in the Polish language areas of Europe, particularly in the countries of Poland and Germany. In Poland, it is a relatively mid-range in popularity, based on 2018 population numbers, the name is held by approximately 5500 people. In Germany, the name is much rarer, held by only 357 people.
Outside of Europe, the name appears to be relatively rare. In the United States, the name is held by only 153 people according to the 2018 census. In Canada, the name is not present in large enough numbers to appear in name distribution databases. In Australia, the name is believed to be held by only 15-25 people, and these numbers are likely to be somewhat inaccurate due to the rarity of the name.
Generally, it appears that the last name Kraiewski is most common in its European home countries of Poland and Germany, especially Poland, although its presence is still relatively low compared to other last names in the countries.
Variations of the surname Kraiewski
Kraiewski is a surname of Polish origin, with variant spellings Krajewski and Krajewska. The traditional form of the name is Krajewsk, which is often found in records from the 19th century and earlier.
The surname is believed to originate from the word 'krai', which means domain or region in Polish. This suggests that the name is likely derived from the name of a region, village or area. Over the centuries, various people took on the name of the locality as their surname, and the name has since spread throughout Poland and other countries.
In the United States, the name is mostly found in form of Krajewski, but the spelling can also be found as Krajewsk, Krajewskie, Krajeweski, Krajewskie and Krajewskiej. Other variations in countries with Slavic languages include Kraevik, Kraievik, Krayevsky and Krajevski.
The feminine form of the name is Krajewka, Krajewka, Krajewska or Kryewska. Common derivatives of the name include Krajewcki, Kryjewski, Kryjanowski, Kryjankowski and Krzyjewski. In some cases, this can be Anglicized to Karjuezka, KraFeisky and KraFevich.
The surname is one of the most popular Polish surnames and is widely found among the Polish diaspora. Even despite the various spellings, the origin of the name is consistent and it is typically one of the most recognizable Polish surnames.
Famous people with the name Kraiewski
- Jan Krajewski: He is a Polish track and field athlete who specializes in the 400 metre hurdles and 4 × 400 metres relay. He is a two-time European champion in relay and won 12 medals at the World and European Athletics championships in a career spanning from 2003 to 2018.
- Janina Krajewska: She was a Polish pianist, harpsichordist, and pedagogue. She was noted for her interpretations of the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
- Przemysław Krajewski: He is a Polish conductor and university professor. In 2003, he won the International Herbert von Karajan Competition for young conductors in Berlin.
- Malina Krajewska: She is a Polish psychologist, author, and a professor at Jagiellonian University in Krakow. She is an expert in the field of mental health, specializing in post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Ewa Krajewska-Konik: She is a former volleyball player from Poland, who won the bronze medal at the 1992 Olympic games in Barcelona.
- Wojciech Krajewski: He is a Polish Paralympic alpine skier. He competed in the 2002, 2006 and 2010 Winter Paralympic Games and won two gold medals in 2006 and 2010.
- Jacek Krajewski: He is a former Polish swimmer, who won gold medals at the International Swimming Federation World Championships.
- Andrzej Krajewski: He is a Polish graphic artist and film director who is most widely known for his graphic and animation work on a number of animated films from the 1970s and 1980s.
- Olgierd Krajewski: He is a Polish writer and journalist, known for his genre-focused detective stories set in an alternative version of present-day Poland.
- Maria Krajewska: She is a Polish historian and medievalist, member of the Polish Academy of Learning. She is considered one of the most important historians of Poland's Middle Ages.