Polish Surnames: Meaning, Origin & Coat of Arms

Son of little Adam

Of Adam; from Adamy

From Andrzejewo (Andrew's place)

Gadfly; bittern

Ram

From Borek (small pine wood)

From Chmielewo (hop field)

Carpenter's son

From a place named for black land

From Czerwin or Czerwińsk (red)

From Dąbrowa, "oak wood"

Hoopoe (bird)

Of the hill / mountain

Big-headed; from Głowaczów

From Grabów, place of hornbeams

From Jabłonna, place of apple trees

From Janków, place of Janek (John)

From Jasień or Jasin

From Jaworów, sycamore place

Innkeeper's son, little innkeeper

From Kalinowo (guelder rose)

From a stony place (Kamień)

Son of Kaźmierz (Casimir)

Son of the blacksmith

Blacksmith's (from kowal)

From Kozłów, linked to kozioł, "goat"

Tailor's son

King

Son of Kuba (Jacob)

Cook; from Kuchary

From Kwiatków, linked to kwiat, "flower"

From Lewandów (lavender place)

Fox

From Maciejewo (Maciej's place)

From Majewo

From Malinów, raspberry place

Man from Mazovia

Little Mazovian

Son of Michał (Michael)

From Michał's place

Newcomer

From Nowaki, the newcomers' place

From Nowice, new settlement

From Olszewo, place of alders

From Ostrów, river island

Son of Paweł (Paul)

From Pawłów, Paul's place

Son of Piotr (Peter)

From Piotrowo, Peter's place

From Rutki / Rutkowo

From Sadowo (orchard place)

From Sawice (Sawa's place)

Titmouse (bird)

Son of Sobek (Sobiesław)

From Sokołów (falcon place)

From Stephen; pounder

From Szczepanów (Stephen's place)

Little shoemaker

Of Szymon (Simon); or from his place

From Tomaszew (Thomas's place)

From Urbanów (Urban's place)

Son of Walek / Valentine

From Wasilew (Basil's place)

Little evening

Wolf

From Wiśniewo, "cherry-tree place"

From Witkowo

Son of the steward

From Wojciechów, place of Wojciech

Little village headman; or pet form of Wojciech

Cart-driver or court usher

Sparrow

From Wróblew (sparrow place)

From Wysokie (high place)

Hare

From Zalew, flooded land

From Zawada (barrier)

Green; from a green place