Surname Olschewska - Meaning and Origin

Olschewska: What does the surname Olschewska mean?

The last name Olschewska originates from the German region of Silesia. In German, the name means “from Olschewo”, a small village near the town of Opole in western Poland. While the origin of the surname is unknown, it is likely to be derived from the Slavic root of olsche, which means 'village, hamlet, settlement or estate'.

The Olschewo village was first mentioned in 1366, at the time of Poland’s fragmentation. During the 18th century, the village was annexed by Prussia and German was imposed as the official language. Because the name Olschewska is so synonymous with German, many people with this surname are of German or Silesian descent.

In modern times, Olschewska is a rare surname. It is not found among the top 1000 names in any country and is believed to be held by fewer than 50 people in the world today. Although many people have forgotten its meaning and origins, the name Olschewska remains a reminder of the rich history of Silesia, which has been an integral part of Poland for centuries.

Olschewska: Where does the name Olschewska come from?

The surname Olschewska is most commonly found in Poland today. It is a notable Polish name, stemming from the ancient lands of Poland. Although Olschewska is a relatively rare surname, according to the Polish Genealogical Society it appears to be widely distributed throughout the country. Since the Middle Ages it has been spread throughout the various voivodeships that make up Poland.

Olschewska is thought to have derived from the surname Ofschewitz, which translates as 'descendant of Ofschewitz'. The name was taken by the father of the family, whose name was Ofschewitz, likely indicating that the family had descendents from this particular area. The spelling of the name changed over the years as it became adopted among various immigrant families.

While Olschewska is a rarer name globally, its Polish roots have made it relatively common in modern day Poland. It is most often found in the larger cities of Warsaw and Krakow, as well as the more rural areas near the borders of the country. The surname has also spread throughout Europe, mainly to countries like Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Beyond Europe, the surname has been found more sporadically in areas like Russia, Australia, and the United States.

Variations of the surname Olschewska

Surname variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Olschewska include Olschowsky, Olschewski, Olschewski, Oleschefsky, Oleschevsky, Olschefsky, Olschefskij, and Olschewsky.

The surname Olschewska is closely related to the surname Olshevsky, otherwise spelled as Oleschevsky, and this spelling is more common in Ukraine and Belarus, and the former Soviet Union. Other variants and spellings of this surname are commonly found in Jewish families who emigrated from Eastern Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

In addition to the traditional spelling of the surname Olschewski, many other variation and spelling variations are seen such as Olschowsky, Olschewski, Olschewski, Oleschevsky, Olschefsky, Olschefskij, and Olschewsky.

Many of the Olschewska surnames can be traced back to distant Polish ancestors with variants becoming popular as immigrants of Eastern Europe settled in the United States and other countries. The origin of this surname comes from the Slavic word Olshevsky, meaning “favorable, or lucky”.

When researching your family history, it is important to remember that surnames will have multiple spellings and change throughout generations, depending on where the family originated and where they migrated to. It is worthwhile looking into all possible variants of the surname to uncover your family’s roots.

Famous people with the name Olschewska

• Hanna Olschewska: actress, predominantly known for her roles in the German-language television series Lindenstraße, Der Schimanski Film, and Berlin, Berlin.
• Urte Olschewska: German Olympic fencer who competed in the epee event at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
• Konrad Olschewska: German athlete who competed in the decathlon at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
• Ingolf Olschewska: German hockey player who won the silver medal at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.
• Lothar Olschewska: German artist renowned for his paintings in the Expressionist and Surrealist styles.
• Hans Olschewska: German legal professor and politician who served as Minister of Justice in the Prussian government.
• Maja Olschewska: German film producer most known for her work on the documentary films Die Andere Seite der Medaille and Der Wettlauf um die Welt.
• Wilma Olschewska: German figure skater who competed in the women's singles event at the 1964 Winter Olympics.
• August Olschewska: German upper-echelon Lutheran pastor who was active during the 19th century.
• Albert Olschewska: German sculptor who is best known for his statue of Ernst Graf zu Reventlow.
• Edmund Olschewska: German politician who served as mayor of Aschersleben from 1919 to 1933.

Other surnames

OlschewskiOlschewsky