Surname von Tomkewitsch - Meaning and Origin
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von Tomkewitsch: What does the surname von Tomkewitsch mean?
The last name von Tomkewitsch is of Germanic origin with its root being the word “tomke” which means “enclosed space between the villages”. The name likely originates from a medieval noble family from what is now Poland who used the unique last name to signify their distinguished place among others in the area. The word “von” is a preposition in German which can indicate nobility and ownership of a certain place or area of land.
Historically, the von Tomkewitsch family was chiefly responsible for the original settlement of the area. They built many fortified compounds to guard against threats and were responsible for much of the regional administration as local rulers. As feudal lords, they were able to collect tithes from the people in their domain, which allowed them to gain immense wealth and grow their influence in the region. As a result, the last name became a sign of the family’s prominent status as local rulers.
Throughout the years, the von Tomkewitsch name has uphold a strong legacy. The family’s influence and power ultimately spread across Eastern Europe and their last name is still associated with many places even today. In modern times, the von Tomkewitsch family continues to stand out as a sign of prestige and honor.
Order DNA origin analysisvon Tomkewitsch: Where does the name von Tomkewitsch come from?
The last name von Tomkewitsch is most commonly found in Germany, with the highest concentrations of people bearing the name being in the northeast of the country in cities like Stralsund and Greifswald. The name originates from the Slavic region of Pomerania, which was annexed by the Holy Roman Empire in 1648. The name is also common among descendants of this region living in other parts of Europe, North America, South Africa, and Israel.
While specific records of the von Tomkewitsch family are sparse, one family line can trace its roots back to 1710 when Gerd von Tomkewitsch settled in Nordmark, near modern day Stralsund. It is likely the family initially hailed from the nearby area of Tomkowice in modern day Poland. From German records, his descendants moved as far as Neuenburg and Uckermark in Germany by the early 1800s.
More recently, the name von Tomkewitsch has spread more widely, with some family members having moved to other parts of Asia, Australia, and the United States. In particular, large numbers of descendants from the Nordmark von Tomkewitsch family line have settled in Hawaii, Maryland, and Oregon.
In conclusion, the surname von Tomkewitsch is mainly associated with Germany and the northeast regions of modern day Poland. It is also found around the world in countries such as the United States, Australia, and South Africa, partly due to immigration from northern Europe.
Variations of the surname von Tomkewitsch
Von Tomkewitsch is a surname originating in theia lands of Eastern Europe. It is a German surname which was once shared by a noble family from the House of Tomkewitsch, who populated parts of Russia, Ukraine, and Romania. The variants of von Tomkewitsch include:
Tomkewitsch
Tomkewitch
Tomboweicz
Tomkowicz
Tomkewitz
Tomkewicz
Tomkiewich
Tomchoff
Tombkevitch
Thomakiewicz
Tomkevitz
Tomkowitz
Tomkovich
Tomkiewitz
Tomkyvich
Tomckewitsch
Tamkewitz
Tambkevich
Tomchoff
Tomkeyvich
The surnames of the same origin can also be found in various other countries, such as the United States and Canada, executed mainly by the descendants of this noble family. Tomkowich, Tomkovich and Tomchuk are the most common spellings in those countries. The spelling of Tomkewitsch is also common in the United Kingdom, and is sometimes spelled as Tomkevitz.
No matter which variant, spelling or surname of the same origin a person may have, all of these surnames are connected to the same origin – the noble House of Tomkewitsch.
Famous people with the name von Tomkewitsch
- Karl von Tomkewitsch (1808–1877): Austrian general who served in the armies of the Austrian Empire and the German Confederation.
- Sasha von Tomkewitsch (1960–2012): Soviet-born American actress, mainly known for her roles in the television series Rescue 911.
- Eduard von Tomkewitsch (1835–1860): Polish author who wrote several short stories and plays in the literary genre of Romanticism.
- Jelena von Tomkewitsch (1850–1932): Russian-born Russian-American pianist and noted concert performer who lived among the Russian nobility before immigrating to the United States.
- Isabella von Tomkewitsch (1902–1962): German-born Austrian countess who was known for her support of the Nazi Party during the Second World War.
- Alexei von Tomkewitsch (1931–2003): Soviet-born Soviet-Cuban architect and interior designer, mostly known for his work in Havana.
- Reiner von Tomkewitsch (1859–1897): German philosopher, writer, and poet, known for his works on philosophical topics such as materialism, idealism, and skepticism.
- Luca von Tomkewitsch (1808–1858): Prussian diplomat and military officer who served in the Prussian military before eventually becoming an Admiral during the short-lived Second Schleswig War.
- Faustina von Tomkewitsch (1816–1886): German baroness and philanthropist who funded several hospitals and orphanages during her lifetime.
- Jakob von Tomkewitsch (1821–1877): Russian playwright and theatrical director, best known for his theatrical adaptation of stories from German literature.