Surname Sowinski - Meaning and Origin

Sowinski: What does the surname Sowinski mean?

Sowinski is a Polish surname that is derived from the Polish word 'sowin', which means 'like an owl'. It is a patronymic or occupational name, denoting a person who was nocturnal or wise like an owl, or possibly someone who had an owl-like appearance. It was also commonly given as a nickname to someone who worked at night. The 'ski' ending in Polish surnames often signifies nobility or landownership, suggesting the ancestors of the Sowinski family were esteemed members of society. However, it must be noted that meanings of surnames can vary and may have evolved over time. Furthermore, a name's meaning can also be influenced by regional dialects and local traditions. Therefore, while the above offers a probable interpretation, the exact meaning of the surname Sowinski can depend on the particular family history.

It should be remembered that surnames, including Sowinski, have evolved over centuries and can often carry significant historical and cultural connotations tethered to the traditions and progress of the societies from which they sprouted.

Sowinski: Where does the name Sowinski come from?

The last name Sowinski is a relatively common name today, originating from Poland. It is derived from the Polish root elements "sob," which means "son of," and "wons," meaning "brave."

In the United States, the surname Sowinski can be found in six of the fifty states. In 2020, the states with the highest population concentration of people with this surname were Illinois, Michigan, New York, Texas, and Wisconsin.

In Poland, the name is much more common than in the United States. According to the Polish National Census, Sowinski is the 16,227th most popular last name in Poland, running in the statistics between Sowińska and Sowinski. It is the 693,240th most popular name overall.

In Canada, the Sowinski name is mainly concentrated in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. In British Colombia, there is a particularly strong concentration of Sowinski’s around Vancouver, Abbotsford, and Victoria.

Finally, in Australia, the Sowinski name is mostly concentrated around Queensland, Australian Capital Territory, and New South Wales. These are the most populous states, so the majority of families with this name likely come from this region.

Overall, the last name Sowinski is relatively common around the world, and particularly in countries with large Polish populations, such as the United States, Poland, Canada, and Australia.

Variations of the surname Sowinski

The Sowinski surname is a spelling variation of the Polish surname Sowiński. Spellings variants of this surname include Sowinsky, Sowinski, Savyński, Sawnyski, Sviński, and Swastyski. These spellings vary depending on the region the originator originated from.

Surnames with similar origin and spelling are Szowiński, Szwajkowski, and Szwankowski. All these surnames have their roots in Polish villages, hence the variations in spelling arise from the phonetic pronunciation of the villages.

Sowinski is the most common spelling of the surname. It is a patronymic name, meaning “son of Sowan”. This suggests the original bearer of this surname was either the son of Sowan or descended from this individual. It is likely the name is derived from the given name Sowan, which in turn originates from an Old Polish word meaning “peace” or “calm”.

The surname Sowinski can also be found in other countries, such as Ukraine and Germany, with other spellings but still originating from the same Polish name. For example, in Ukraine the surname is sometimes spelled Sovinski, or in Germany it is known as Schowinski. Similarly, the surname has also been found in Scandinavia, where it is spelled Svansson.

Overall, the surname Sowinski has multiple spellings and variants as a result of the various regions of origin. It is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Sowan, which has its origins in Old Polish. The surname is also found in other countries, such as Ukraine, Germany, and Scandinavia, but with different spelling variations.

Famous people with the name Sowinski

• Ben Sowinksi: American electronica producer and DJ based in Los Angeles, best known for his production for acts like Selena Gomez and Nelly.
• John Sowinksi: former American professional basketball player who played in the Continental Basketball Association and the National Basketball Association.
• Michał Sowiński: Polish professional golfer and a member of the European Tour.
• Joe Sowinksi: World War II veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge and is a recipient of Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart.
• Paul Sowinski: retired ice hockey player and current coach in the American Hockey League.
• Jörg Sowinski: German actor best known for his roles in 'Fack ju Göhte 3' (2017) and 'First Love' (2019).
• Stanisław Sowiński: Polish writer and poet mainly active during the interwar period.
• Robert Sowinski: American actor best known for his roles in 'Rescue Me' (2011) and 'Boardwalk Empire' (2012).
• Katarzyna Sowińska: Polish paralympic track and field athlete who specializes in competing in F12 and F13-category throwing events.
• Steve Sowinski: retired minor league baseball pitcher who played for the New York Yankees during the 1981 season.

Other surnames

SowinskaSowinsky