Surname Owczorz - Meaning and Origin

Owczorz: What does the surname Owczorz mean?

The last name Owczorz, of Polish origin, is derived from the old Polish word ‘owca’ meaning “sheep”. It is a topographic name describing someone who lived near or worked with sheep. The suffix ‘-czorz’, describes a small hill or mound. Together, the meanings suggest that the original bearer of this name may have lived at, or near a sheep pen on a small hill.

The spelling of this name has changed somewhat over time, with variants including “Osteomorz” and “Olszorz”. As a result, the surname can be found many places throughout Poland, as well as other parts of northern and eastern Europe.

Traditionally, the Owczorz family is closely associated with the Catholic Church, as many members of the family have been priests. As a result, the Owczorz last name is associated with nobility and respect in Poland. As a result, many people of the Owczorz lineage have gone on to become successful merchants and entrepreneurs.

Overall, the Owczorz name is a link to centuries of Poland’s rich heritage. It is a reminder of the family’s humble and hardworking past of tending sheep on small mounds of land. The last name also carries with it a sense of respect and tradition for the Catholic Church.

Owczorz: Where does the name Owczorz come from?

The last name Owczorz (pronounced ov-CHAWRZ) has its roots in Poland, and is still most commonly found in the country today. Owczorz is a diminutive form of a Polish word meaning "shepherd," so historically it was a surname used by those in the profession of tending sheep. Other spellings of the name include Owczarz and Oczorz.

It is estimated that there are approximately 11,000 people who bear the Owczorz surname in Poland, primarily in the central and southern parts of the country. However, the name is well-represented throughout all of the major cities and towns, which indicates that it dates back centuries.

Outside of Poland, the Owczorz name has spread to many other countries. In the United States, it is gradually becoming more common, particularly in cities such as Chicago and New York. It is also found in the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Germany, with a slightly higher concentration of the name in the states of Saxony and Brandenburg in the latter country.

Despite the fact that the Owczorz surname is found in many countries across the globe, its strongest presence remains in Poland where it originated centuries ago.

Variations of the surname Owczorz

The surname Owczorz is of Polish origin, often spelled as Ovcovrch or Owczarz. It is derived from the word owca, which means “sheep” in Polish. This surname is most commonly found among those who lived in rural parts of Poland, typically in the regions of Galicia, Grazanks and Tarnovia. Often used as a nickname or occupational name to refer to someone who shepherded sheep.

Variations of this surname include Owczarczyk, Owczarzewski, Owczykowski, and the Ukrainian and Belarusian form, Ovcovrch. Patrons of this surname can trace their roots back to Carnocice, Poland, where it is believed the first bearer of the name was born in the 15th century.

Owczorz is also commonly found in Jewish families of Polish decent. It was likely adopted by Jewish families when they were baptized in Catholic churches, and adopted the Polish version of their surname in order to fit into society. Variants of this surname found in Jewish families include Ovsokher, Ovszok, Ovszokher and Ovszomher.

In addition to Poland, this surname has spread to various other countries as Polish immigrants have made their home in different regions of the world. Today, many people bearing this surname can be found in America, Canada, Australia, South Africa and Argentina.

No matter the spelling, this surname is one that has endured for centuries, evolving to fit the times and countries it has been passed through. Those who carry it can be proud of its roots, its strength and the diversity it displays.

Famous people with the name Owczorz

• Wojciech Owczorz: He is a Polish former football player who played as a defender, mainly for Włókniarz Kraków. He later worked as an assistant coach for clubs such as Wisła Kraków and Pogoń Szczecin.
• Piotr Owczorz: He is a retired Polish football defender and current manager. He represented Sagan Tosu from Japan in the J1 League, and was part of the team who achieved promotion from J2 League in the 1994 season.
• Joanna Owczorz: Little is known about Joanna Owczorz, but she is credited as an acting coach with the British banking company TSB, which offers financial services.
• Patrick Owczorz: He is a German track and field sprinter, and the first German to win gold in the 3000 metres steeplechase in the 2006 European Athletics Championships.
• Radosław Owczorz: A Polish football coach, he has been in charge of the youth team of Wisła Kraków since 2016.
• Krystian Owczorz: A Polish playwright, Krystian Owczorz has written numerous plays such as “Zapach Kalahari” and “Chińskie wesele”, which have been acclaimed in Europe.
• Elżbieta Owczorz: Owczorz is a Polish politician who was first elected as Member of Parliament in 1991 and has since served in both the lower house of the Polish parliament and the upper house.
• Robert Owczorz: A semi-professional footballer, Owczorz represented several teams, such as Pogoń Siedlce, Lechia Gdańsk, and Ruch Chorzów in his career.
• Józef Owczorz: Owczorz is a former Polish football player who is best known for playing for Wisła Kraków from 1952-1955.
• Małgorzata Owczorz: She is a noted art historian and professor at the University of Gdańsk, and has published multiple books and papers on the subject.

Other surnames

Owczors