Surname Gawolek - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Gawolek: What does the surname Gawolek mean?
The last name Gawolek is of Polish origin and has its roots from the Eastern part of the country. This surname is derived from the old Slavic personal name Gawolek, which is a combination of the words “gwódz” meaning commander and “lek” meaning doctor or nobleman.
During the medieval times, the Gawoleks were a prominent family known for their occupation in medicine and as military officers. As such, they held various positions from doctors and apothecaries to merchant traders and political figures. The Gawolek family emblem features a star with five points. This symbol is often found in the coats of arms of the old Slavic families of eastern Poland.
In modern times, the last name Gawolek is still rather prominent in Poland and its Eastern European neighbors. However, the family has now spread to every corner of the world in which emigration has taken place. In many countries, the spelling of this surname has been modified to better fit the standards of that language, or else confuse genealogists who are trying to trace its origin. For instance, Gawolek may be rendered as Gawołek, Gawor, Gawalek, and many other variants.
No matter the spelling, the Gawolek family has a long, proud history. It reminds us of a time when people were known for their talents rather than their ethnicity or social standing. That same shared legacy brings the Gawoleks of the world together to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisGawolek: Where does the name Gawolek come from?
The last name Gawolek is a Slavic surname most commonly found in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia. It is derived from the Polish word ‘gawa’ which means female magpie. It was popularized during the medieval period as a way to identify people who were from a certain culture or area.
The surname is still found predominantly in the countries mentioned above, but is also common in the United States. It is especially popular among Polish Americans, who form the largest population of Polish people in the US after Germany and Russia. The surname is also seen in many other countries such as Germany, Canada, and Australia, where many Poles have immigrated over the years.
Many people who share the Gawolek surname may not realize they are part of a large family. Despite this, many Americans of Polish descent still pride themselves on their heritage and celebrate their Polish culture. The surname can also be found in a variety of other cultures and countries, as well as being used as a nickname in some parts of the world.
Although the Gawolek surname is not exclusive to Poland, it is most commonly seen there and is still an important part of Polish culture. It is a reminder of the rich heritage of Slavic people and the power of a surname to connect people across the world.
Variations of the surname Gawolek
Gawolek is a surname common in many European countries. It can be spelled in several ways, including Gawolek, Gawolik, Gaworlek, Gaworek, Gawollek, Gawolski, Gaworecki, Gawolinski, Gawoliski, Gaworlik, and Gawolecki. It can also be found in other areas of the world, such as Gawolek, Gawoliuk, and Gawoluk in Ukraine; and Gawolka, Gawolk, Gawolki, and Gawolkowski in Poland.
Originating in Germanic language countries, the name Gawolek is thought to derive from the old German words “gawu” meaning “father” and “leuk” meaning “light", potentially referring to an ancestor who was admired for being able to bring light to a situation.
In some countries, Gawolek is particularly well known as a surname. In Romania, it is sometimes spelled as “gaval” due to Romanians pronouncing certain sounds differently than other Europeans. In other areas, such as Poland, the name is also found as forms of Gawor.
In Slovakia, accented forms of Gawolek such as “Gaòolek” are popular. The name is also found as a variant of Gawolak or Gawalak in Hungary.
In some cases, Gawolek can be found among Slavic-speaking Jewish communities with the surname Gawerlek, which would have been made up of two Yiddish or Hebrew words- “gaf” meaning “happy” and “erlek” meaning “throat, tract.”
Many of the forms of Gawolek are associated with areas of Europe in which a large number of immigrants lived. This indicates the surname may have been taken on by people relocating outside of their home area, adopting forms of the surname that were more common to their new country.
Famous people with the name Gawolek
- Mike Gawolek: professional artist from the USA.
- Jaroslaw Gawolek: Polish-born classical pianist.
- Ariana Gawolek: actress credited with TV films such as From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series and Once Upon a Time in Wonderland.
- Adam Gawolek: bass player in the rock band East of Eden.
- Michael Gawolek: former defensive back for the Washington State Cougars.
- Mariusz Gawolek: former freestyle swimmer from Poland.
- Ashley Gawolek: professional musical theater actress.
- Amy Gawolek: survivor of the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001.
- Rachel Gawolek: cross-stitch and fiber artist from the USA.
- Franciszek Gawolek: sculptor-metal artist from Poland.