Surname Nowatzki - Meaning and Origin
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Nowatzki: What does the surname Nowatzki mean?
The last name Nowatzki is an German surname derived from the Middle High German word “nowaz”, which means “forester” or “gamekeeper”. The name would have been given to a family of gamekeepers, or one responsible for helping manage the hunt in a noble’s forest. It is believed that the name originated in the German Rhineland area, and the family could have eventually moved out from the Rhineland and spread into the surrounding regions of Germany.
The Nowatzki name is also found in some areas of Austria and the Czech Republic, where it could be be a variant of the German surname Nowatzki. It is also found in the United States, where it is most likely a form of the German or Czech version of the name.
Given its history, the surname Nowatzki is a testament to the family’s adventurous spirit and reverence for nature. As gamekeepers, the ancestors of this family braved the outdoors in search of their quarry, preserving nature for the benefit of man and nature alike. The name is also a reminder of the importance of balancing man’s needs with respect for the natural world from which he draws sustenance.
Order DNA origin analysisNowatzki: Where does the name Nowatzki come from?
The last name Nowatzki is most common in the area of Germany where the name is thought to have originated - the former Eastern Pomeranian region, now part of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Nowatzki is a very old name and is still used throughout Germany, as well as in adjacent countries such as Poland, Denmark, and Sweden.
Various records from this region show the name Nowatzki was first recorded in the area around 1383 or 1384. This was during the Holstein region's strong ties to Scandinavian countries, which were closely connected due to trade and common language. This connection is also seen in surnames such as Svensson (son of Sven), which was also commonly found in the region.
Nowatzki has continued to be a common surname throughout the centuries in this area of the world. During World War II, many German civilians with the last name Nowatzki were displaced from the Eastern Pomeranian region when it was occupied by the Soviet Union. Some of these people took their surname to other areas of Germany and to countries around the world. As such, although the name is still predominantly found in the East Pomeranian region, it is now also common in North America, Africa, South America, and Oceania.
Today, the Nowatzki total population worldwide is estimated at up to two million people. The East Pomeranian region still remains the most popular place for this name, however, its widespread diaspora has made it one of the more commonly found German surnames in many countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Nowatzki
Nowatzki is a German surname derived from the given name Nowat. It is believed to have originated in the Westphalia region of Germany. The most common variants of this surname include Nowadsky, Nowadski, Nowadozky, Nowadozki, Nowatzke, Nowatske, Nowatzy, and Nowodosky.
Surnames with similar roots may also be found in other cultures, including the Slavic name Nowatko, the Polish name Nowakowski, and the Galician-Portuguese surname Nayat. It is also sometimes anglicized to Navatsek, Nowak, or Nowakowski.
This surname is believed to have originated as a patronymic, denoting that the original bearer was the son of Nowat. The suffix "-ski" is thought to have been added as a representation of the German "son of" prefix, and is typically found in names from Ukraine, Germany, and Poland.
Nowatzki is still a fairly uncommon surname today. However, a few notable people with this surname include American singer/songwriter David Nowatzki, English filmmaker Richard Nowatzki, and German sports journalist Katrin Nowatzki.
Famous people with the name Nowatzki
- Dirk Nowitzki: NBA superstar; former player for the Dallas Mavericks from 1996 to 2019
- Gary Nowitzki: Dirk’s father; entrepreneur and former professional handball player
- Holger Nowitzki: Dirk’s brother; semi-professional basketball player in Germany
- Jordi Nowitzki: Dirk’s cousin; former football player at FC Schalke 04
- Silke Nowitzki: Dirk’s mother; former women’s basketball player
- Wilfried Nowitzki: Dirk’s uncle; co-founder of Nowitzki Group
- Friedrich Nowitzki: Dirk’s grandfather; a former professional footballer for The Club of Pioneers
- Amanda Nowitzki: Dirk’s sister; works as a physiotherapist and runs Nowitzki Group
- Dirk Nowitzki Jr.: Dirk’s son; currently plays for the Texas Legends of the NBA G League
- David Nowitzki: Dirk’s cousin; university professor and former football player for FC Central Bochum