Surname Gawalek - Meaning and Origin

Gawalek: What does the surname Gawalek mean?

The last name Gawalek is of Polish origin, and is a patronymic form of the personal name Gawel or Gawul, which is derived from the Old Polish personal name Gaweł, derived from the Slavic name Godefrid or Godefrith. This name originally meant "peaceful guardian."

The name Gawalek can take various forms depending on the region of Poland. Gawinska, Gawel, the masculine form Gawelak, and Gawlik all were derived from the same root. The surname is still quite common in Poland, with approximately 33,000 people bearing the name.

Gawalek's are typically grouped with other similar patronymic surnames, suggesting the name's usage began in the 17th century and may indicate some kind of immigration from outside of Poland, likely from western or central Europe.

The name Gawalek likely reflects an immigrant's hope of finding peace or fullfilled expectations in a new land, just as a guardian can provide protection.

Gawalek: Where does the name Gawalek come from?

The last name Gawalek is most commonly found in the northern European countries of Poland and Germany, specifically in the eastern regions of Poland, including the regions of Silesia, Greater Poland, and Lesser Poland, as well as in the states of Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony in Germany.

In Poland, the name is believed to have derived from a given name, Gawel or Gawelek, and records of surnames with these roots date back to 1165 in Silesia, while records in Greater Poland and Lesser Poland date back to 1230 and 1272 respectively. Records in Germany date back to 1617, also in the form of the given name Gawelek, of which the Gawalek spelling may be a later variation.

Today, the name Gawalek is most commonly found in the eastern region of Poland, although it still appears in Germany as well. In Poland, the name is typically associated with Silesia, where it was first established, and is regarded as one of the oldest surnames in the area. It is also found in other parts of the country, such as Greater Poland, Lesser Poland, and the Masovian Voivodeship.

In total, the name is quite rare but relatively widespread throughout northern Europe, and today largely concentrated in Poland and Germany, where it first originated.

Variations of the surname Gawalek

The surname Gawalek has several variants and spellings, as well as a few surnames which have the same origin. These variants include Gawalik, Gawaler, Gawelek, Gawlik, Gawreck, and Gavrel.

The most common spelling is Gawalek, with Gawlik being used most frequently in Upper Silesia, a large historical region of Central Europe. The Gawaler variant is more commonly found in the United States and Canada, while Gawreck is common in both the United States and Poland.

Gawelek is the most common spelling used in Poland, while Gavrel is most frequent in Lithuania and other parts of the former Soviet Union. The surnames Gawal and Gawlow are used in some areas as well, although they are not as common.

Additionally, there are a few names which have the same origin, including Gawalah, Gawelec, Gawlikowski, Gawlowicz, and Gawrecki. These are typically found in Poland, and are derived from the Slavic word gwalia, which means good or welcome.

Overall, while Gawalek is the most common spelling, there are several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin which can be used to refer to individuals with this surname.

Famous people with the name Gawalek

• Alexandra Gawalek: German international cricketer
• Bettina Gawalek: Singer-songwriter from Austria
• Bobby Gawalek: American television director
• Cynde Gawalek: American popular singer
• Erik Gawalek: Polish modern pentathlete
• Constantin Gawalek: German footballer
• Gaby Gawalek: German actress
• Henrik Gawalek: German-Swedish actor
• Mariusz Gawalek: Polish footballer
• Stefan Gawalek: Polish weightlifter
• Victoria Gawalek- Assistant professor of Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Otago
• Erich Gawalek: German footballer
• Claudia Gawalek: German Paralympic volleyball player
• Karl Gawalek: Austrian footballer
• Tom Gawalek: American football coach

Other surnames

GawalleckGawallek