Surname Kowala - Meaning and Origin
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Kowala: What does the surname Kowala mean?
The last name Kowala is of Polish origin and means “a seller of rye.” The name originates from the word for rye, “kawał,” which was used to denote someone who sold rye or rye products. It is believed to have referred to a person who bought and sold grain on the open market.
In Poland, the surname Kowala was typically associated with peasant families, as many of these families relied on rye and other grains as a food source. The name was quite common during medieval times, likely due to the fact that many peasants worked with grain, and the word “kawał” was used to indicate a seller of rye.
Today, the surname Kowala is still quite common in Poland, and many modern day families still carry on the legacy of their ancestors’ profession as peasant peddlers. The surname can also be found in other countries such as the United States, where it has been adopted by those of Polish heritage seeking a connection to their ancestral roots.
Given its centuries old origin, the surname Kowala evokes a sense of history and tradition in the eyes of those who bear it. It serves as a reminder of the sacrifices past generations of Poles made in order to survive and thrive, and provides a unique glimpse into the lives of ordinary people in bygone days.
Order DNA origin analysisKowala: Where does the name Kowala come from?
The last name Kowala is most common today in parts of Central and Eastern Europe, especially in the countries of Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Croatia. Kowala is an occupational surname, derived from the word "kowal," which translates to "blacksmith" in English. Historically, this surname was most popular among families in towns and villages where blacksmiths were the most important tradespeople.
In the modern day, Kowala is still a common surname in many parts of Central and Eastern Europe, although it has also spread to other parts of the world. Kowala families can be found living in parts of North America, as well as Australia and New Zealand. Many of the descendants of Polish immigrants who arrived in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries have kept the Kowala name.
The spelling of Kowala may have subtly changed over time, and the surname can also be seen spelled as Kovala, Kowalla, Cowala, Kovalas, Kovar, and Kovarik. However, some spelling variants of the surname, such as Kofel, Köfl, and Köffel are unrelated to Kowala.
Variations of the surname Kowala
The surname Kowala is believed to have originated in Poland and has several different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
Kowala is the original spelling of the surname and is the most commonly used form. Other variants of this name include Kowal, Kowalek, Kowalkowski, Kowalczyk, Kowalczuk, Kowalski, Kowalik, and Kowall.
Spellings similar to Kowala include Kuhwalla, Kwała, Kvavala, and Kvala. Variants and spellings of Kowalla have spread to many countries such as Austria, Belarus, Slovakia, Ukraine, Lithuania, and others.
Surnames of the same origin as Kowala include Komal, Komalek, Komalczyk, Komalik, Komalski, and Komar. Other surnames with the same origin are Cwala, Kowaluś, and Kwiecień.
The exact origin of the surname Kowala is disputed, with some suggesting it originated from words in the old Polish language or that it was derived from the name of an ancient place or tribe. Others believe it originated in Asia, or that it could be a combination of multiple ethnic or geographical origins.
Regardless of its origin, the many variants, spellings, and surnames that share the same root make the surname Kowala a unique and interesting name of Polish origin.
Famous people with the name Kowala
- Kuba Kowalczyk: a Polish actor, best known for his role in the television series “Prawo Agaty.”
- Maurycy Kowal: a Polish painter and graphic artist mainly known for his drawings and prints depicting human portraits.
- Andrzej Kowal: a Polish football player, who was part of the Polish national team that became the bronze medal winner at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.
- Elżbieta Kowal: a Polish actress, best known for her roles in Polish television productions.
- Jakub Kowal: a Polish football player, who won the National Cup with Raków Częstochowa in 2019.
- Janusz Kowal: a retired Polish figure skater, who won a gold medal in the 1980 European Figure Skating Championship in Dortmund.
- Jerzy Kowal: a Polish singer who was part of the cabaret duo known as “Kingi and Kowal.”
- Krzysztof Kowal: a Polish darts player, who achieved the distinction of becoming the world No. 2 in the men’s ranking in 2018.
- Pawel Kowal: a Polish politician, former Member of Sejm and currently Member of the European Parliament.
- Zofia Kowal: a Polish opera singer, best known for her roles in Italian operas.