Surname Kotarba - Meaning and Origin

Kotarba: What does the surname Kotarba mean?

The last name Kotarba is a surname that originates from the countries of Central and Eastern Europe like Poland, Ukraine, and Belarus. It is derived from the word “kotarba,” which means “guard” or “protector” in those languages.

The earliest known instance of Kotarba in the written record was in the 13th century in Poland, when it was used as a nickname for a particular familial lineage of protectors. By the 16th and 17th centuries, it had become a surname for many families in the region.

The surname is often associated with those belonging to the Polish szlachta, or noble class, though it is also shared by many others with family roots in these countries.

Whether or not your family once served as protectors of some kind, the name Kotarba now serves as a reminder of where your ancestors come from, and serves as a source of pride today. It’s also a reminder to protect the things that matter to you, and to look out for others.

Kotarba: Where does the name Kotarba come from?

The last name Kotarba has origins in Central and Eastern Europe, primarily in Poland. Today, the surname is still common in areas of central Poland, especially in the Krakow region. There are also occurrences of the surname in Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, and other areas that were historically part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

The surname is a patronymic name, derived from a nickname or pet form of a first name. It is thought to be derived from the Polish name “Kotarba,” meaning “mild, meek, or timid.” Over time the surname has also been spelled as Kotarb, Katarb, Koytarba, Kotarbas, and Katarbicz.

There are still many instances of the surname Kotarba in Poland today and it is one of the more common names in this region. Records show that as of 2020 there were over 4,000 people with the last name Kotarba living in Poland. People with the surname are also found in other countries in Europe, as well as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.

The surname Kotarba is a testament to the rich heritage of Central and Eastern Europe and the impact that this region has had on the world today. It serves as a reminder of the varied and diverse cultures that can be found all across the globe.

Variations of the surname Kotarba

The surname Kotarba has a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant of the surname is Kotárba, which has several phonetic variants, including Kotarba and Kotařba, and can be found in various countries in Central and Eastern Europe. The surname also comes in other forms, such as Kotárbová, Kotařbová, and Kotařeba, which are sometimes seen in distant regions.

Kotárba is an ancient Czech surname that originates from the Middle-Ages, deriving from the term “kotár” which in Czech means “maker of pots.” Other variants of the surname include Kotárbai and Kotárbay, which are found in Hungary. As well, the surname Koteska is a variant of Kotárba that is popular in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland.

In terms of other surnames of the same origin as Kotarba, there are a few options. Variants of this surname include Kolarba, Kolarová, Kolarik, and Koleřák, among others. These surnames are of Czech origin and are related to the surname Kotarba in terms of meaning and language, as well as geographical regions.

Overall, the surname Kotarba has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. It is an old Czech surname deriving from the term “kotár” which means “maker of pots” and can be found in various regions throughout Central and Eastern Europe. Variants of this surname include Kotarba, Kolarba, and Koteska, while other surnames of the same origin include Kolarová, Kolarik, and Koleřák, among others.

Famous people with the name Kotarba

• Kinga Kotarba, Polish TV presenter, Olympian aspirant and singer.
• Slawomir Kotarba, Polish historian and professor of social and cultural history at the University of Wrocław
• Kuba Kotarba, Polish Champion Formula 4 racing driver
• Michał Kotarba, Polish Cross-Country skier
• Joanna Kotarba-Kalinowska, Polish Pop Singer and Actress
• Aleksandra Kotarba, Polish Professional Tennis Player
• Asia Kotarba, Polish YouTuber and Reality TV Star
• Staszek Kotarba, Polish Physicist
• Monika Kotarba-Maciejewska, Polish Musical Theatre Director
• Krystian Kotarba, Polish Publicist and Historian
• Marcin Kotarba, Polish Anthropologist, Professor at the University of Silesia
• Piotr Kotarba, Polish Film Director
• Maciej Kotarba, Polish Professional Footballer
• Agnieszka Kotarba-Sawicka, Polish Television Director
• Łukasz Kotarba, Polish voice actor and dubbing director

Other surnames

Kotarbski