Surname Wolansky - Meaning and Origin

Wolansky: What does the surname Wolansky mean?

The last name Wolansky is of East European origin, most likely derived from the Ukrainian region known as Volynia. The two most common theories regarding the origin of this name are that it either derives from the Ukrainian word “volyn” meaning “beaver”, or from the name of the medieval Volynian dukes, Wolodko and Volynko. The name is commonly associated with the Slavic people of East and Central Europe as it is widespread across these regions.

It is a patronymic name, meaning that it was originally derived from the first name of the father. The most common variation of the name is Wolansky, with other common variations including Wolanski, Wolinski, Volinsky, and Wolinsky.

Due to its long history, the name Wolansky conveys a sense of Society and tradition. Families with this surname have likely been around for centuries and are likely to have strongly-held traditions and values. An individual with the last name of Wolansky could be considered to have a strong sense of heritage and history that they are proud to uphold.

Wolansky: Where does the name Wolansky come from?

The last name Wolansky is most commonly found today in Eastern European countries such as Poland, Ukraine, and Belarus. According to genealogy database websites, the Wolansky surname has been in existence since at least the early 1700s and is most commonly associated with Polish-speaking populations. This suggests that at least some present-day Wolanskys are descendants of Poles who first adopted the surname around the mid-1700s.

In Ukraine, Wolanskys are most commonly found in western and central regions, particularly within the Lviv and Kiev oblasts. They can also be found in cities with large populations of Polish immigrants such as Ivano-Frankivsk, Lutsk, and Zhytomyr. According to census data, the Wolansky surname is particularly common in the villages of Krynka, Stryi, Skipets, Kalush and Gercenivka in Ukraine's Lviv oblast.

In Belarus, the name is most common in Grodno, Hrodna, and Minsk oblasts, especially in the cities of Ivyanets, Oshmiany, and Kletnia.

In Poland, Wolanskys are mostly concentrated in the lower Silesian and Masovian voivodeships, especially in the cities of Sosnowiec, Łódź, and Warsaw.

Moreover, the Wolansky surname has spread to other parts of Europe, North America, Australia, and beyond, as people of Eastern European descent immigrated to these regions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Variations of the surname Wolansky

The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname "Wolansky" include:

Wolansky, Wolanska, Walansky, Walanska, Volansky, Volanska, Valansky, Valensky, Wallansky, and Wallanska.

In many regions, the surname has multiple spellings and is found in a variety of different forms. It could easily be found with the letter ‘W’ being substituted for the letter ‘V’ or ‘Vl’. It is also sometimes ‘Walansky’, meaning ‘descendant of the fox’, even though this spelling is uncommon. In parts of Ukraine, the surname is both Wolansky and Walansky.

Wolansky is a patronymic, or a surname formed from the father's first name, derived from the Jewish personal name Vovl, which is a Yiddish version of the Hebrew name Wolfgang. As its variations suggest, the Wolansky surname can also be found in Ukraine and other countries formerly part of the Russian Empire. The name is usually a Jewish surname, originating from Jewish families who moved to these Eastern European countries from Germany or Austria in the 18th or 19th centuries.

The surname can also be found in some other European countries. In Poland, the variant Walenska is more common, while in Lithuania the surname is found as Volanska. In Slovakia, the suffix ‘-ek’ or ‘-ka’ is used instead of ‘-sky’; hence, Volansky becomes Volanek and Walansky becomes Walanek.

The surname is an integral part of Jewish and Eastern European culture, but it can be found all over the world today. It is an undeniable reminder of the shared historical experiences of the Jewish people in Eastern Europe.

Famous people with the name Wolansky

• Liv Wolansky: is an American film and television actor. She is best known for her roles in Black Mirror, About a Boy, and Speechless.
• Max Wolansky: is an American voice actor who voiced characters in Spider Man 2, Frasier, and The Animal.
• Avi Wolansky: is an Israeli former professional basketball player who spent most of his career in Maccabi Tel Aviv.
• Daniel Wolansky: is a professional poker player who is known for his accomplishments in the European Poker Tour and the World Series of Poker.
• Julian Wolansky: is a Canadian actor and writer best known for his roles in the TV series Haven and WorkinOnline.
• Ruth Wolansky: is a Canadian music composer and sound designer.
• Gustave Wolansky: is a French businessman and philanthropist.
• Yehudah ben Avraham Wolansky: is a prominent rabbi in the Lithuanian tradition and a descendant of the Vilna Gaon.
• Chaya Wolansky: is a contemporary playwright and theatre director based in Israel.
• Yoel Yoel Wolansky: is a Yiddish poet, songwriter, and folk singer.

Other surnames

WolanskeWolanski