Surname Zirwas - Meaning and Origin
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Zirwas: What does the surname Zirwas mean?
The last name Zirwas is an anglicized version of the Polish surname Zyrwas (or Żyrwas). In Poland, the Żyrwas surname is derived from the word żuraw, which is a crane or heron. The surname is derived from one of the occupational names given to a person who hunted these birds for food or used them in the fabrication of leather.
Meaning in Poland is potentially foreboding as the heron was associated with waterside gravesites and graveyards. It is believed that the last name Zirwas or Żyrwas is derived from an ancestor being a gravedigger who dug the graves amongst or near the heron population.
The name is prominent in specific regions in Poland, with most bearing the Zirwas surname residing in the rural areas of Pomerania. More recently, in the United States, it is prominent in the Midwestern states including Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio, where many immigrants from Poland populated the region in the late 1800s.
The popularity of the last name Zirwas was propelled when the Five Brothers and Two Sisters of Zirwas moved from Pomerania to Belvidere, Illinois in the mid-19th century. Although it is still not a common surname, it can be found all across America today – a testament to the family's commitment to migration.
Order DNA origin analysisZirwas: Where does the name Zirwas come from?
The last name Zirwas is most commonly found in the United States and Canada, although it originally originates from Eastern Europe. The name is a variant of the Polish surname Zarywas and is thought to have derived from the Polish verb zarywac which means 'to make an effort'. It is speculated that the name could have been given to someone who showed great effort and strength.
In the United States, the last name is mainly found in Illinois, Pennsylvania and Michigan. In the United States, the name is predominantly found in the Midwestern states, although this name is also found in other states. In Canada, the last name is mainly found in Ontario and Quebec.
In the Netherlands, the name doesn't appear to be as common as the United States and Canada; however, there are still multiple individuals whose last name is Zirwas. The name is particularly concentrated in Limburg, an eastern province of the country.
In the United Kingdom, the name is most commonly found in London and Kent. In terms of Europe, the last name appears to be most commonly found in Poland, likely due to the origin of the name. However, it is also found in countries such as Germany, Russia, Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia.
Overall, the last name Zirwas is mainly found in North America and Europe. While the name is somewhat spread throughout both regions, it is most predominant in the United States, Canada, the Netherlands and Poland.
Variations of the surname Zirwas
The surname Zirwas is an uncommon surname with roots in many countries. The most common spelling of this surname is "Zirwas", although there are also variant spellings of this surname, including Zirwes, Zirtinger, Zircovinger, and Zirtinger. Additionally, there are other surnames that are derived from Zirwas, such as Zirwinsky, Zirch, Zirwin, Zirwitz, Zirweg, Zirwaker, and Zirweicker.
The origin of the surname Zirwas lies in various places such as Germany, Ukraine, Serbia, and Poland. In Germanic countries, the surname is believed to be derived from the early Middle High German name "Zirwa", which means to sparkle or gleam. Furthermore, the surname was popularized by the agriculture and families' livelihoods that began to sprout in Germany during the early Middle Ages.
In Ukrainian culture, the surname "Zirwas" and it's variants are believed to have been derived from the Ukrainian word "zervastity" which means "to moisten." Furthermore, the surname has roots in Jewish and Slavic countries as well. In Jewish countries, the surname is derived from the Hebrew name "tsirwe", meaning "I shall hear"; meanwhile, in Slavic countries, the surname is associated with the word "cirwa", which means "heavenly."
In all, the surname Zirwas has been around for centuries and has many variant spellings and related surnames. It is most commonly associated with Germanic, Ukrainian, Jewish, and Slavic cultures and holds a variety of meanings in those respective countries.
Famous people with the name Zirwas
- Stan Zirwas: First-class cricket player for Victoria from 1892 to 1895.
- David Zirwas: execution artist, film maker, and director.
- Tamara Zirwas: Facial Reconstruction and Simulation Specialist.
- Frank Zirwas: Boston Bruins left winger from 1959-1961.
- Tom Zirwas: Chicago Bears running back from 1975-1977.
- Michael Zirwas: Horror author and screenwriter.
- Hans Zirwas: German actor and musical composer.
- Duane Zirwas: American Heavyweight Boxer and Olympics competitor.
- Johannes Zirwas: German-American illustrator and art director.
- Victor Zirwas: American landscape painter and potter.
- Alexandra Zirwas: Humanitarian photographer for UNICEF.
- E. Zirwas: American World War II veteran and air traffic controller.
- Eugene Zirwas Jr.: Agency and Music Business CEO.
- June Zirwas: Creator of the award-winning children’s book series, ‘Puttie Pots.’
- Walter Zirwas: America First Class Petty Officer during the Vietnam War.
- John Zirwas: Professional boxer and World Championship contender.
- Andrew Zirwas: Entrepreneur, hotelier, and philanthropist.
- Jim Zirwas: Drag racer and NASCAR Pro Stock Car driver.
- Cynthia Zirwas: Founder of the Joshua Tree Animal Clinic.
- Richard Zirwas: Notable aviation artist and modeler.