Surname Piekarczyk - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Piekarczyk: What does the surname Piekarczyk mean?
The last name Piekarczyk is a Polish surname which means “little carpenter”. It is derived from two words – “piekarz” (which means “baker” in Polish) and “czyk”, which is an augmentative suffix. The suffix gives the name a special, more endearing meaning, thus transforming “piekarz” from “baker” to “little baker”.
As the name implies, Piekarczyk is a surname often associated with traditional crafts and craftsmen. It implies that the bearers of the name may have been carpenters, wood carvers, cabinet makers, or other workers who created something with their hands.
The surname is quite common in Poland: the 2019 census revealed over 19,000 Piekarczyks living in the country. It is also found in other countries with a strong Polish diaspora such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, but the overall numbers are much smaller.
At its core, Piekarczyk is a surname that carries with it the history of traditional crafts and the beauty of creating things by hand. It is a surname that speaks to the craftsmanship, creativity, and hard work of those who have carried it throughout the ages.
Order DNA origin analysisPiekarczyk: Where does the name Piekarczyk come from?
Today, the surname Piekarczyk is primarily found in Central and Eastern Europe, especially in Poland. It is estimated that there are over 90,000 people who share this surname in this region, with the highest concentrations in the southwest and northwest of Poland. It is thought that the surname Piekarczyk originated in the 14th century, initially as a patronymic name that was adopted by someone who was the son of a man named Peter or Piotr. During the late 16th century, records indicate that the Piekarczyk family had spread across Poland and many members of the family had taken up professions as farmers, magistrates and bakers.
In modern times, the surname Piekarczyk is most prevalent amongst Polish communities living abroad. Large numbers of people bearing this surname have migrated to the United States, Canada, Australia and Europe, with many communities of Polish origin in the UK and Germany in particular. In the USA, California, Illinois and Wisconsin are among the states with the highest number of Piekarczyks living within their borders.
Although the population of Piekarczyks is largely confined to Central and Eastern Europe, and to the Polish diaspora communities around the world, the name is still recognisable as an integral part of Polish culture. It is indicative of the complex history and diverse cultures of this part of the world, and provides a tangible connection to the perseverance and achievements of the Piekarczyk people across the centuries.
Variations of the surname Piekarczyk
The surname Piekarczyk (also spelled Piacarczyk, Pyeharkachik, Pyankarczyk, Piekarski and Piekarsky) is a very common and widely spread surname of Polish origin. It is derived from the bridge-building occupation and literally translates as "bridge builder" or "bridge architect." This surname is often associated with northwestern, central and south-eastern parts of Poland, with many of its bearers spread out across the country.
The spelling variants of Piekarczyk can also be found in other nations like Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. In Czech Republic, it is mainly spelled as Piacarczyk, while in Slovakia it is either Pyeharkachik or Pyankarczyk. In Hungary, the spelling variant appears to be Piekarski or Piekarsky.
Piekarczyk is a very popular surname and is even found in the US, as many immigrants from Poland have moved to the United States in recent years. Today, it is estimated that there are over 11,000 people living in the United States with this surname, with the majority of them settled in states like Illinois, California, New York, Wisconsin and Michigan.
In addition, Piekarczyk is a very common surname in Germany, with well over 10,000 people living with this surname recorded. Piekarczyk is also quite popular in Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Ukraine, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Bulgaria and Croatia.
Overall, the surname Piekarczyk and its many spellings and variants is a widely spread surname of Polish origin and is found in many countries all around the world.
Famous people with the name Piekarczyk
- Krzysztof Piekarczyk: a Polish singer and songwriter, he is a frontman of the band TSA.
- Natalia Piekarczyk: a Polish actress, appearing in multiple television series and movies.
- Damian Piekarczyk: a Polish footballer, playing with Sandecja Nowy Sącz as an attacking midfielder.
- Robert Piekarczyk: a Polish sprint canoeist and Olympic medalist.
- Dominika Piekarczyk: a Polish actress best known for her roles in television series such as Prosto w serce and Siostry.
- Adam Piekarczyk: a Polish saxophonist and member of the jazz-rock band Breakout.
- Bartosz Piekarczyk: a Polish martial artist, specializing in Boxing.
- Sebastian Piekarczyk: a Polish actor, mostly known for his role on Cheerleaders.
- Jerzy Piekarczyk: a Polish football player, playing as a midfielder for Legia Warsaw.
- Andrzej Piekarczyk: a Polish former triple jumper and Olympic competitor.