Surname Pawellek - Meaning and Origin

Pawellek: What does the surname Pawellek mean?

The last name Pawellek is of German origin and is derived from the Middle High German words pawel (peter) and lek (clique). The name as a whole means “Peter’s circle” or “Peter’s clique,” indicating a group of people closely associated with the name’s Germanic-Christian origin.

The name first appears in German records going back to the 13th and 14th centuries. It is a common surname mainly found in German countries and Slavic countries such as Poland.

The name could denote a family, a group of friends, or a close community associated with St. Peter or “Peter's circle.” If any of these references are to be found, they would likely have come from folklore or cultural stories stemming from pre-Reformation times.

The name Pawellek is not uncommon and can be found in many places both in Germany and countries that have significant German populations. In the United States it is most prevalent in Wisconsin, but it can be found outside of the country as well, especially in areas with ties to German or Polish ancestry.

It is likely that those who bear the name Pawellek have some kind of connection to their namesake. Whether their family migrated from Germany or Poland, or their family has ties to Christianity that backtrack centuries, is something that can be determined through research and exploration of their family history.

Pawellek: Where does the name Pawellek come from?

The surname Pawellek is common throughout parts of Central and Eastern Europe. It is most prevalent in Poland, where it is the 681st most common surname in the country. There is also a high concentration of the surname in the United States, where it is particularly common in the states of Texas, Wisconsin, and Illinois.

In Poland, the original form of the surname was Pawłowicz. It originated among the nobility of the small province of Galicia, which was located around what is now the southwestern corner of Poland. The Pawłowicz family was made up of landowners and members of the middle class, and their descendants spread out across the country. Over time, the surname underwent a number of variations, including Pawellek.

In the United States, the Pawellek surname was brought over by immigrants from Polish-speaking areas of Europe. It is most often associated with the descendants of these immigrants, although it is possible that some American Pawelleks are of German or Czech descent. Most of these immigrants settled in the midwest or northeast of the country, and many of their descendants still live in these areas.

In summary, the Pawellek surname is most commonly found today in Poland and parts of the United States, particularly in the midwestern and northeastern states. It is associated with Polish immigrants, although it is possible that some American Pawelleks are of German or Czech descent.

Variations of the surname Pawellek

The Pawellek surname has several variants and spellings including Pawelka, Pawla, Pawlek, Powellek, Powlik and Pawlik. Historically, the Pawellek surname may have derived from the Polish word "pawel" meaning "little or humble."

When surnames were introduced in Poland during the late nineteenth century, families of the same surname underwent a process of name-changing to distinguish themselves from each other. This phenomenon led to the many variants and spellings of the Pawellek surname, most likely due to the variety of dialects and languages spoken in the region at the time.

The most common variants of the Pawellek surname outside of Polish regions are Pawla, Powellek and Pawlik. These names were pronounced and spelt differently in different dialects, which also explains the various forms.

In some cases, the Pawellek surname has also been used as a surname in Germany, Austria, Romania, Jewish and Russian regions. While most of these uses are of Polish origin, it is possible that other European regions adapted the name over time.

Furthermore, some Pawellek family members may also have surnames from other regions, such as Prusak, Pruszek, Przik and Przywara, which all have the same origin as the Pawellek surname, but have adapted slightly different spellings over time.

Overall, the Pawellek surname has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, all of which have evolved over time due to the different regional dialects and languages spoken in the region.

Famous people with the name Pawellek

• Paul Pawellek: Former NFL linebacker. Played college football at Oregon State University and professionally for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
• Paul Pawellek Jr.: American professional golfer. He won the 2017 Coca-Cola Queensland PGA Championship and has competed on the National Golf Association circuit.
• Rodney Pawellek: Award-winning singer and songwriter from Kashmir, India. He is best known for his independent album Pardais released in 2010.
• Christopher Pawellek: Former Professor of Mathematics at the University of Munich. Also served as editor of the Mathematics Gazette.
• Michael Pawellek: Retired professional hockey player from Germany. Played for the Mannheim Eagles before ending his career with the Hannover Scorpions.
• Adam Pawellek: Australian actor, best known for playing Connor in the television miniseries, Cloudstreet.
• Chris Pawellek: Animation director and screenwriter on the series Clone High. He also co-created the series Don’t Trust the B in Apartment 23.
• John Pawellek: Professor of Mathematics at the College of Charleston. He has written many books and research papers about the field of Mathematics.
• Jochen Pawellek: Award-winning filmmaker from Germany. He is best known for his documentary films chronicling life in East Germany before the fall of the Berlin Wall.
• Eckhart Pawellek: German actor who has starred in several international films and television shows. He is best known for playing the role of Dieter Brinkmann in the movie, All Quiet on the Western Front.

Other surnames

PawellPawelleckPawelletz