Surname Pawlowski - Meaning and Origin

Pawlowski: A DNA Journey Into My Polish Ancestry and Historical Heritage

The iGENEA DNA test results unraveled the intriguing historical and cultural story embedded within my Polish surname, Pawlowski. The compelling journey took me back to my ancestors in the north-central regions of Poland, revealing a lineage intertwined with Poland's vibrant history and culture. From notions of nobility to national resilience, this knowledge has built a bridge between me and my ancestral past, forging a new sense of identity and continuity.

S. Pawlowski

Pawlowski: What does the surname Pawlowski mean?

Pawlowski is a Polish surname. Its root, "Pawel," is the Polish equivalent of the English name "Paul." The "-ski" suffix is often used in Polish surnames and originally indicated a connection to a place, generally meaning "from" or "of." Thus, Pawlowski might mean "from Paul" or "of Paul," suggesting that an ancestor of the name's original bearers could have been named Paul. The name Paul itself comes from the Latin name Paulus, meaning small or humble. It gained popularity due to Saint Paul, an important figure in early Christianity. Pawlowski, like other surnames ending in "-ski," is common in Poland and among people of Polish descent around the world. As with many surnames, different branches of the Pawlowski family might trace their origins to different parts of Poland.

Pawlowski: Where does the name Pawlowski come from?

The last name Pawlowski is a relatively common name from Eastern Europe, particularly Poland. Statistics from 2020 have estimated that there are approximately 98,000 people in the world who share this name.

Within Poland itself, Pawlowski is the second most common surname based on the number of people bearing it. Over 90,000 Poles can claim this surname. Other countries that make up the list of top countries Pawlowski is most common include Germany, United States, and Canada.

Within the United States, Pawlowski is the 497th most common name with a population of over 3,000 individuals. The states with the highest numbers of the last name Pawlowski are Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin, where the name is most widely known.

Though the name Pavlovich can also be found spread out throughout Europe, the United States, Canada, and Australia, Pawlowski is the more commonly seen spelling and interpretation of the name. Among those who share the last name, many can be found enrolled in universities looking to further their educational opportunities, and serving in the military branches of the United States and other countries.

Variations of the surname Pawlowski

The Pawlowski surname is thought to originate from the Polish word for 'Paul.' Variants in spelling, surname and origin include the following.

Pawelczyk - This could be a patronymic form of the surname, or an artistic or literary spelling of Pawlowski.

Pavlovsky - This variant is much more common in Russia than elsewhere. It has the same roots as Pawlowski, but the spelling has been adapted to a different language.

Pavlenko - This surname is found mainly in Ukraine and other Slavic countries. It is derived from Pavlo, which is a diminutive of the Slavic name Paul.

Pawlowski - This is the original spelling of the surname. It is believed to have first been used in Poland, and is still found in parts of Europe today.

Paulowicz - This variant is derived from the Polish word Pawel, and is found mainly in Eastern and Central Europe.

Pavliuk - This Ukrainian variant of the surname has its roots in Pavlo, the diminutive of the Slavic name Paul.

Pawłowski - This is another Polish spelling of the original surname Pawlowski.

Pavlović - This variant is found mainly in Croatia and Serbia, and has its roots in the Slavic name Pavlo.

Paulus - This is a German spelling of the original Pawlowski. It is believed to have originated in Germany, but is also found in some other European countries.

Pavlovic - This variant is found mainly in Serbia and originated from the diminutive of Paul.

Overall, the Pawlowski surname has many variants, spellings and origins, but all can be traced back to the same Polish word for Paul.

Famous people with the name Pawlowski

• Ryan Pawlowski: American baseball player currently playing for the Sugar Land Skeeters in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
• Kelly Pawlowski: American actor best known for her roles in movies such as The Truman Show, The Cooler, and The 5th Wave.
• Chris Pawlowski: Former professional American basketball player who currently works as a broadcaster.
• Mike Pawlowski: American football coach and player who was the head coach for the University of Mississippi from 2006-2010.
• Josie Pawlowski: Canadian figure skater and competitive ice dancer who competed internationally for Team Canada.
• Mika Pawlowski: Professional US-based Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor, multiple-time medalist at IBJJF International tournaments and the Abu Dhabi World Pro.
• Tatiana Pawlowski: Former Serbian tennis player who competed on the ITF Women's Circuit and the WTA Tour.
• John Pawlowski: Retired American baseball player who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1989-1999 for the Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, and San Diego Padres.
• Tony Pawlowski: American racehorse trainer working on the U.S. circuit.
• John Paul Pawlowski: Award-winning documentary filmmaker and cinematographer. 11.Anna Pawlowski: Polish singer and composer.

Other surnames

PawlowskaPawlowsky

Comments or additions to the name "Pawlowski"

05.01.2024
Hello, my last name is spelt Podloski, but my grandmother has told me that when immigrants were settling in Canada from Europe, they didn’t know how to spell their names properly, or could only sound them out. She says that distant relatives in Canada also have the spelling: Pawlowski, Podlowski. My great-great grandparents settled in Vilna, Alberta, Canada. My father was a professional Austrian-Canadian ice hockey player: Raymond Podloski, born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (1966-2018). Thanks for the info here and happy to share mine!