Surname Prokopowitz - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Prokopowitz: What does the surname Prokopowitz mean?
Prokopowitz is typically an Ashkenazi Jewish surname, typically with Eastern European origins. It is most common in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, with particular roots in parts of modern-day Ukraine, Poland, Hungary and Romania. It is believed to be derived from the Germanic-language word "Prokop," meaning "gain, growth, or progress," plus the Slavicized suffix "-witz," indicating a patronymic form.
Historically, this surname was used to indicate someone of the professional class who was the progenitor of his family. This class was more likely to be literate and might perhaps have owned some property, which gave rise to the notion of personal or familial "progress."
Today, those who bear the surname of Prokopowitz can be found in many different parts of the world, presumed to have originated in the Ashkenazi Jewish diaspora dispersing throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Some may still live in Eastern European countries or may have relocated to North America, South America, India, and elsewhere.
Regardless of where one locates them self today, Prokopowitz is an interesting and evocative surname reflecting many aspects of Jewish culture and history. It stands as a reminder of an ancestral progress as families navigated not only the past but also their current, ever-changing present.
Order DNA origin analysisProkopowitz: Where does the name Prokopowitz come from?
Prokopowitz is an uncommon surname today. It is of Slovene, Polish and German origin and can be found primarily in Europe. The name Prokopowitz is most common in Germany, Austria, and Sweden but can also be found in other countries such as the United States, Canada, Poland, Russia, United Kingdom, and other parts of Central and Eastern Europe.
In Germany, the name Prokopowitz is listed in the telephone directories for the provinces of Bavaria, Hesse, Saxony, and Thuringia. In Austria, it can be found in Lower Austria, Vienna, and Upper Austria. In Sweden, Prokopowitz is listed in the telephone directories for Stockholm, Malmö, and Goteborg.
In the United States, the name Prokopowitz is primarily located in the states of New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. Prokopowitz is also listed in the telephone directories of Quebec, Canada, and of England, United Kingdom.
Today, Prokopowitz is considered to be a rare surname associated with nobility. Although its origin is unclear, many have speculated that it is derived from the German words 'Prokop' or 'Procopus.' This means progress or success, making it an interesting choice to have as a last name.
Variations of the surname Prokopowitz
The surname Prokopowitz is a patronymic of the first name Prokop, and it is derived from the Slavic personal name Prokop (Prokopiy in Russian) that means 'one who advances'. The Prokopowitz surname is most commonly found among Eastern and Central European Jewish populations.
Variants and spellings of the Prokopowitz surname include: Prokopovitz, Prokopowicz, Prokopovitch, Prokopovits, Prokopovicz, Prokopovetz, Prokopovitsh, Prokopowich, Praka, Prokpatz, Praczyk, Procos, and Przckopowicz.
In addition, other surnames of the same origin include Prokopotz, Prokopczyk, Prosopop, Prosopowicz, Prosopov, Prokopik, Prokopovski, Prokopov, Prokopovits, Prosopop, Prokopski, and Prusopp.
The Prokopowitz surname has also undergone some variations in different languages. In some cases, the surname has been transformed to Prokopoff in Russian, Prokopenko in Ukrainian, and Praka in Slovakian.
The Prokopowitz surname has been used by a variety of people around the world, and is still used in some parts of Eastern and Central Europe. Although distribution of this surname is not widespread, some communities of Jews of Eastern and Central European origin have used it and preserved it to the present day.
Famous people with the name Prokopowitz
- Justin Prokopowitz, Canadian actor and director
- John Prokopowitz, former US Senator from Pennsylvania
- John Prokopowitz, USA Women's Water Polo player
- Dave Prokopowitz, inventor of the Prokop Sack
- Jacob Prokopowitz, Ukrainian-born American cabaret performer
- Lisa Prokopowitz, US Olympic gold medal-winning tennis player
- Lou Prokopowitz, former Major League Baseball player
- Anna Prokopowitz, American painter
- Bill Prokopowitz, US Olympic gold medal-winning swimmer
- Kim Prokopowitz, Australian Paralympic champion
- Mark Prokopowitz, American composer and music producer
- Vlad Prokopowitz, Ukrainian-born singer