Surname Voitek - Meaning and Origin

Voitek: What does the surname Voitek mean?

The last name Voitek is an occupational surname of Slavic origin which derives from the word 'Vojtek', meaning a soldier or warrior. The surname likely originated from the Polish vocabulary, although its exact origin is unknown. In Poland, Voitek can also be spelled as Wojtek or Wojtkowski.

Voitek is most commonly associated with the Polish town of Puńsk, where the surname was first recorded. It was first documented in the 15th century, by a man named Hector Voitek. Since then, the name has spread through Eastern Europe and is now one of the most popular surnames in the region.

The meaning of the surname Voitek is traditionally associated with strength, courage and bravery, qualities that are typically associated with soldiers. It is thought that the names may have been given to either celebrate a family's military achievements or to recognize someone's aptitude for a military role.

By the 19th century, Voitek had become a widespread and well-known surname, with families now traveling to new countries across the globe. Nowadays, the last name Voitek is still widely used around the world, especially in countries such as Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and the United States. With quite an impressive history, Voitek is a very unique surname that continues to have an impact on the world today.

Voitek: Where does the name Voitek come from?

The last name Voitek is most common in Central Europe. It is especially concentrated in the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, and Poland. In these countries, the name is also commonly spelled as Vojtek. Over 13,000 people in the Czech Republic have this surname as of 2019, making it one of the most common surnames in the region. It is also common in parts of Germany, Hungary and Romania.

Outside of Europe, there are a smaller number of people with the surname Voitek, such as in the United States and Canada. According to records from the 2010 census, the name Voitek appears in small numbers in the Midwest region of the United States. Not many records exist for the Voiteks living in Canada, however, the name is believed to have been taken to the country by Czech immigrants who settled there in the late 19th century and early 20th centuries.

The origins of the name Voitek come from the Slavic root 'voit' or 'vuj', meaning to fight. Voitek was likely initially used as an occupational name for a soldier or warrior, as the root of the name suggests. Although it is not clear when the surname first arose, it is believed to have been in use since at least the early medieval period.

Overall, it appears that the last name Voitek is particularly common in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly the Czech Republic and Slovak Republic. It has since spread to other countries, often through the migration of people to other European and North American countries through the centuries.

Variations of the surname Voitek

The surname Voitek is of Polish origin and is believed to derive from the personal name Wojciech. Variants of the surname Voitek include Vojtek, Wojtek, Voytekh, Vojtekh, Voytek, Wojtekh, Voytech, Woytek and Wojciech. Other spelling variations of the surname Voitek include Wojtowicz, Voytovich, Voytov, Wojtovics, Wojteck, Voyteck, Woyteck, Wojtecky, Voytecky, Woytecky and Wojtecka.

The surname Voitek is commonly found within Polish populations. As an immigration surname, it is also found in North America, primarily the United States and Canada. It is also present in some South American countries, such as Argentina and Brazil.

Similar surnames of Voitek include Vojtekow, Wojtekow, Voytekow, Vojtekova, Wojtekova, Voytekova, Vojtekovo, Wojtekovo and Voytekovo. It is also sometimes referred to as Vojteka or Wojteka. Variations of the surname Voitek have been found in Ukraine and Montenegro.

Although a relatively common surname, Voitek is still often found with less than one hundred occurrences, at least on a local or national level, in countries where it is present. It is thought that this is likely due to the relatively low numbers of people who initially carried the surname during immigration from Eastern Europe and the consequent relatively low numbers of descendants who have maintained the surname over the generations.

Famous people with the name Voitek

• Mariusz Voitek: a former professional Polish football player who played for Lech Poznan and had a career for over 11 years.
• Stephen Voitek: an American politician who currently serves as the president of the Anchorage Park Foundation, a nonprofit that seeks to improve the recreational opportunities of the Anchorage area.
• Grzegorz Voitek: a retired Polish speed skater who was part of the 1984 Winter Olympics team.
• Jaroslav Voitek: an international award-winning Czech cinematographer who has worked on a myriad of movies and documentaries.
• Michał Voitek: a voice actor from Poland best known for his work in the comedy series Kabaret Euphoria.
• Kacper Voitek: a professional Polish-Israeli wrestler who has accumulated a number of awards throughout his career.
• Orisz Voitek: a graphic designer from Poland who runs an online blog sharing his works and creative ideas.
• Yefim Voitek: a former Soviet jazz musician who was renowned for his kontra compositions.
• Miroslaw Voitek: a Polish footballer who played for a host of Polish clubs throughout his career, most notably Widzew Lodz and KS Gornik Zabrze.
• Michal Voitek: an actor who has featured in a number of Polish films, mostly playing comic supporting roles.

Other surnames

Voitel