Surname Pawluk - Meaning and Origin

Pawluk: What does the surname Pawluk mean?

The last name Pawluk is of Polish and Ukrainian origin, and may be derived from the Slavic word "pawl" which means "pale, slight, weak or slender". Alternatively, the surname could have originated as a nickname for someone who was tall or slender. The name is also found historically in Poland, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Belarus and Slovakia.

Originally, those with the Pawluk surname likely held the occupation of a musician or a tailor. As Poland switched occupations from rural to more urban, more of those with the name Pawluk adopted roles as grocers, traders, or merchants.

Today, individuals with the surname Pawluk come from a range of occupations. Some are farmers, while others are professionals such as engineers, teachers, lawyers, or doctors. Many of those with the surname Pawluk have also moved from their ancestral countries to live in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries.

Overall, the surname Pawluk is strongly linked to the Polish and Ukrainian areas of the world, and the meaning of the surname is related to physical attributes. Generally, those with the Pawluk last name come from a variety of backgrounds and professions, and a global diaspora has developed over time.

Pawluk: Where does the name Pawluk come from?

The surname Pawluk is most commonly found in countries of the former Soviet Union, particularly in Ukraine and Belarus. It also appears in Russia, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary, stock, and Estonia. It is also relatively common in Canada, United States, Australia, and England.

In Ukraine, this last name is most often spelled as Pavluk. The surname first appeared in the Ukrainian language around the 16th century and is believed to mean “son of Paul”. It is also believed to be derived from the name “Paul” itself, perhaps through a patronymic ending such as “ovich” or “evich”.

The primary heraldry colors associated with this last name are Or and Gules, representing gold and red respectively. The principal charge of the Pavluk Coat of Arms is a gold Gothic font letter “P” on a red field. Grantees of this surname sometimes added a black inescutcheon or shield with three silver swords.

The Pawluk surname is also prevalent today in Ukraine, where it is the forty-seventh most common last name. It is estimated that there are close to one hundred thousand people worldwide who bear this surname. Other regions where this surname is common include North America, particularly in the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Variations of the surname Pawluk

The surname Pawluk is of East European origin and can be spelled in several ways, including Pawlak, Pawlik, Pawlyak, and Pavlik. Despite its many variations, the surname is thought to be derived from a Slavic word meaning ‘garlic’ or ‘leek’. As a result, some alternative spellings of the surname include Polek, Polak, Polik, Poliak, and Poljac.

In Polish, the most common variant of the Pawluk surname is Pawlak. It is sometimes shortened to Paw or Paweł. It is not uncommon for Polish people to bear the surname Pawłowicz, typically as a form of parental honour.

In Ukrainian, the surname is most commonly spelt as Pavlik and can also be spelled as Pavlikovic, Pavlyk, or Pavlyuk. The variants Pavlyuk and Pavlik are used mostly by families who hail from Ukraine’s western region. Ukrainians living in the north and south sometimes take on the variants Pavlichuk and Pavlych.

In Belarus, the surname is often spelt as Pawlik or Pawlak. It can also be found as Pawlevich or Paulik.

In Russia, the surname Pawluk is often spelt as Pavlov or Pavlova. Some Russian families serving in the country’s military may have variations such as Pavlovski, Pavlovsky, and Pavlovskaya.

Despite the many variations of spelling, all of which have distinct cultural origins, the surname Pawluk remains bound to its ancient, Slavic roots.

Famous people with the name Pawluk

• Ted Pawluk: a Canadian former professional hockey goaltender.
• Rose Pawluk: Canadian laws professor who specializes in Indigenous legal orders and justice.
• Elena Pawluk: Canadian fashion designer.
• Stefan Pawluk: Canadian film director and editor.
• Nikki Pawluk: actor/producer who appeared in a number of films and television series.
• Mike Pawluk: former Canadian Football League player.
• Jakob Pawluk: Canadian ski cross racer.
• Christopher Pawluk: former NHL player.
• William Pawluk: American mountaineer and author.
• Richie Pawluk: former professional American football player.
• Steven Pawluk: actor, writer and producer who was a part of the Second City Toronto touring company.
• Chris Pawluk: Canadian professional ice hockey player.
• Marc Pawluk: Canadian Olympic bobsledder.
• Les Pawluk: Canadian Social Credit Party member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, Canada.
• Anne Pawluk: Canadian women’s hockey player.
• Orest Pawluk: acrobat, juggler and juggler duet performer from Montreal, Canada.
• Dave Pawluk: Canadian professional football player.
• Ron Pawluk: former Canadian Football League player.
• Justin Pawluk: Canadian professional ice hockey player.
• Kurtis Pawluk: Canadian actor.

Other surnames

PaalPaalenPaalsPaandiPaapPaapePaaschPaaschePaaschenPaavilainenPabstPäbstPabstmannPabusPacaciPaceleyPacettiPacettyPachPachecoPachicoPachmannPachmayerPachmayrPachtelPachtellPachterPächterPaciecco