120 Polish Last Names or Surnames With Meanings

Poland is a country that has an interesting history to its name. Poland means ‘people living in open fields’. Just like the country itself, Polish last names have deep roots and unique stories behind them. Many surnames come from occupations, places, or personal traits, while others reflect Poland’s noble past and cultural traditions. Over time, these names have been shaped by historical events, migrations, and linguistic influences, making them an important part of Polish identity. If you’re interested in Poland and looking for some meaningful Polish last names, this article gives you 100+ popular Polish surnames along with their meanings!

Popular Polish Surnames Or Family Names

Popular Polish surnames are those most frequently found among Polish people today. These names often have strong historical and cultural significance, making them a key part of Poland’s identity. Here is a list of the most popular Polish last names and meanings.

1. Adamik

This name originates from Hebrew and means ‘man’ in that language.

2. Andrysiak

This is a patronymic surname that implies ‘son of Andrzej’. Andrzej, the Polish name for Andrew, means somebody who is masculine.

3. Budny

This name means ‘a hut’ or ‘a cabin’.

4. Bukoski

Bukoski is a Polish surname likely derived from a place name, indicating a connection to a region called Bukowo.

5. Bukowski

Avid poetry readers must be familiar with this Polish surname. The name means ‘someone who comes from the beech’.

6. Chmiel

This is an occupational last name in Poland. This name is passed onto those who brew beer.

7. Fabian

This occupational surname is derived from Latin. The word ‘Faba’ in Latin means ‘beans’.

8. Filipiak

This name is derived from the Greek word ‘Philip’, which means ‘horse lover’.

9. Filipowski

Filipowski is a topographic surname that is given to people who originally belong to the town ‘Fillipow’.

10. Gajus

This Polish last name means ‘grove’ or ‘thicket’.

11. Grabowski

This last name is a habitational surname which has a Slavic origin. This name means ‘hornbeam’.

12. Gwozdz

This Polish surname means ‘a metal nail’.

13. Jagoda

This is another interesting surname that means ‘berries’ and refers to an occupational surname.

14. Janda

This Polish surname has its roots in Hebrew. The surname means ‘God is Gracious’.

15. Jasinski

This is a habitational name in Poland which means someone who lives close to the ‘habitational tree’.

16. Jaworski

This habitational Polish surname means someone who belongs to the place near the ‘maple tree’.

17. Jedynak

According to Polish, this surname means ‘only child’.

18. Kaczka

This Polish name refers to ‘duck’ in Polish.

19. Kaczmarek

This surname is derived from a Polish name that means ‘innkeeper’.

20. Kalinowski

This surname is a habitational Polish last name which is used to address people belonging to Kalinowa. The name means ‘snowball tree’.

21. Kaluza

This Polish surname means ‘puddle’ in the polish language.

22. Kaminski

This is another topographic surname that was derived from a Polish word and means ‘a stone’.

23. Kawa

This Polish last name is derived from a Polish word that means ‘jackdaw bird’.

24. Kedzierski

This Polish surname means ‘lock of hair’ and often means people with curly hair.

25. Kijek

This is a polish surname derived from the polish word ‘kij’ that means stick.

26. Kosmatka

This Polish surname is derived from a Polish word which means ‘someone who is hairy or shaggy.’

27. Koziel

This is a geographical surname which in Polish means ‘a male goat.’

28. Krol

The last name is derived from a Dutch word. The meaning of this word is ‘King’.

29. Kucharski

This polish occupational name is derived from the Polish word ‘kucharz’. The name means ‘cook’.

30. Kumiega

This Polish surname means ‘Godfather’ or ‘close pal.’

31. Lawniczak

This is another occupational surname in Poland which is given to powerful families as the word means ‘alderman’ or ‘municipal councillor’.

32. Malinowski

This Polish surname is derived from ‘malina’, meaning raspberry.

33. Maly

This last name has a Polish origin. This name means ‘small’.

34. Marszalek

This name is derived from a Polish word which means ‘Marshall’ and was given to family holding high ranks as a Government official.

35. Maslanka

This is another occupational Polish surname which means ‘buttermilk’.

36. Miazga

This Polish last name means ‘crush’ or ‘pulp’.

37. Michalski

This polish surname is a habitational name given to someone who belongs to a place called Michale.

38. Mozdzierz

This is an occupational surname that is given to people who used to sell or work with mortar.

39. Musial

This is a Polish surname which is derived from the word ‘must’. This name means ‘someone who has to do’.

40. Niemec

This is another topographic Polish surname which means ‘German’ and denotes people who have migrated from Germany.

41. Nowakowski

This is a habitational Polish surname that means ‘someone who belongs to Nowakowa’.

42. Nowicki

This is a topographic Polish surname that is given to residents who belong to the place Novice, meaning ‘new’.

43. Ostrowski

This Polish surname is derived from the Polish word ‘ostrow’ which means ‘water meadow’ or ‘water island’.

44. Pakulski

This topographical polish surname means someone who belongs to the place called Pakuly.

45. Piatek

Piatek means ‘fifth’ in Polish. The surname also has a connection to another similar Polish word that means ‘Friday’, the fifth day of the week.

46. Piotrowski

Piotrowski means “son of Piotr,” a common Polish name equivalent to Peter, often linked to religious roots.

47. Popławski

Popławski comes from the Polish word popław, meaning “floodplain” or “wetland,” likely referring to someone from such an area.

48. Rudaski

Rudaski may be derived from rudy, meaning “red” or “rust-colored,” possibly referring to a person with red hair.

49. Rog

This surname means ‘animal horn’.

50. Rusnak

According to Polish, this surname means ‘Russian’.

51. Rutkowski

Rutkowski originates from places named Rutki in Poland, often referring to a location with rye fields (rutka means rye).

52. Ryba

This is an occupational surname which means ‘fishermen’.

53. Sadowski

Sadowski is derived from sad, meaning “orchard,” likely indicating someone who lived near or worked in orchards.

54. Sikora

Sikora means “titmouse,” a small bird, and was often used as a nickname before becoming a surname.

55. Sitko

Sitko means “sieve” in Polish and could have referred to a person who made or used sieves.

56. Skala

Skala means “rock” or “cliff” in Polish, possibly referring to someone who lived near rocky terrain.

57. Ślusarski

Ślusarski comes from ślusarz, meaning “locksmith,” indicating an ancestor who worked in metal or locksmithing.

58. Smolak

Smolak may derive from smola, meaning “tar” or “resin,” possibly referring to someone who worked with these substances.

59. Śniegowski

Śniegowski comes from śnieg, meaning “snow,” possibly referring to someone from a snowy region or with light features.

60. Sobol

Sobol means “sable,” a valuable fur-bearing animal, and may have been a nickname for a fur trader.

61. Sokołowski

Sokołowski comes from sokół, meaning “falcon,” possibly referring to someone associated with falconry or agility.

62. Sówka

Sówka means “little owl,” possibly a nickname for a wise or observant person before becoming a surname.

63. Starek

Starek comes from stary, meaning “old,” possibly referring to an elder or someone with experience and wisdom.

64. Starosta

Starosta means “elder” or “chief” and historically referred to a local leader or head of a community.

65. Szewczyk

Szewczyk comes from szewc, meaning “shoemaker,” indicating an ancestor who worked in shoemaking or leatherwork.

66. Szweda

Szweda may refer to a person of Swedish origin or someone who had connections to Sweden.

67. Warszawski

Warszawski means “from Warsaw,” indicating a person or family originating from Poland’s capital city.

68. Zdunowski

Zdunowski comes from zdun, meaning “stove-maker” or “potter,” indicating an ancestor who worked with ceramics or heating systems.

69. Zima

Zima means “winter” in Polish and may have been given to someone born in winter or living in a cold region.

70. Żuraw

Żuraw means “crane” (the bird) in Polish and may have been a nickname for a tall person or someone graceful.

Common Polish Last Names or Surnames

Certain Polish surnames are widely recognised and found throughout Poland. Many of these names come from professions, locations, or characteristics that were once common among Polish families. Below is a list of common Polish surnames that you might encounter frequently.

1. Adamski

This is a habitational surname for someone who hails from Adamy, a village in Poland.

2. Bartosz

The polish name for Bartholomew, Bartosz, has its roots lying in the biblical references. Bartosz was one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ and the name means ‘Son of Furrows.’

3. Bosko

This surname is derived from a Slavic word. The name means ‘barefoot’.

4. Brzezinski

This is another topographic surname that was derived from a Polish word and means ‘birch forest’.

5. Czerwinski

This is another habitational last name. The name implies someone who belongs to Czerwin, Poland.

6. Dabrowski

This is a habitational name which means somebody who belongs to the ‘oak grove’ area.

7. Dubicki

There are many topographic surnames in Poland and this is one of them. This name means somebody who belongs to the town called Dubica.

8. Duda

This is another occupational surname in Poland. The last name refers to ‘street musicians’.

9. Dudek

This Polish surname is very interesting and given to those families who have some ‘bird-like attributes’.

10. Gorecki

This is also a topographic Polish surname which demarks people who live near the mountains.

11. Gorski

This habitational surname refers to someone who belongs to a mountain or hilly area.

12. Kasprzak

This name has its origin in the Persian language and means ‘treasure’.

13. Kowalczyk

This name originates in Poland and is a common name that means ‘blacksmith’.

14. Kowalski

This comes second among the most common polish last names and is an occupational surname. The name means ‘blacksmith’.

15. Laska

This is another interesting surname in Poland. The last name means ‘grace’ or ‘mercy’.

16. Majewski

There are many topographic last names in Poland and this is one of them. This name means somebody who belongs to the town called Majewo or born in May.

17. Marek

This Polish surname has a biblical reference and refers to Saint Mark, the author of the second gospel of the New Testament.

18. Mencher

This occupational surname refers to someone who worked as a miller or flour dealer.

19. Nosek

This is another interesting surname that means ‘small nose’ and has its origin in both Polish and Czech language.

20. Pokorny

This surname has its origin in the Czech language and it means ‘humble’.

Rare Polish Last Names

Some Polish surnames are rare due to historical changes, regional influences, or unique family origins. Here is a collection of rare Polish last names that showcase the country’s diverse heritage.

1. Augustyn

The last name is derived from a Latin word. The meaning of this word is ‘exalted’.

2. Broz

There is a beautiful meaning to this Polish surname derived from the word ‘Ambrozy’. It means ‘immortal’.

3. Chmielewski

This is a polish surname with Slavic origin, meaning ‘one from the place of the hops’.

4. Czajka

This surname sounds quite impressive and means a lapwing bird.

5. Dziedzic

This polish surname was given to rich families and literally means ‘landowners’.

6. Gniewek

This is another interesting Polish surname which means ‘anger’.

7. Gomolka

This is a unique Polish surname that means ‘round cheese’.

8. Grzeskowiak

This Polish last name is derived from a Latin word that means ‘someone who is watchful’.

9. Jaskolski

This surname is also a very interesting name. It means ‘bird swallow’ in Polish.

10. Jez

This Polish last name has an interesting meaning. It means ‘hedgehog’.

11. Klimek

This is a polish surname with Latin origin, meaning ‘merciful’.

12. Lis

This Polish surname is very interesting and is given to those who are sly, as the word means ‘fox’ in Polish.

13. Paszek

This name is derived from a Latin word and means ‘small’ or ‘little’.

14. Pasternak

This is Polish surname means a root vegetable which is similar to a carrot.

15. Serafin

This Polish name with Hebrew origin means ‘fiery ones’.

Old Polish Surnames or Last Names

Old Polish last names have deep historical roots, often linked to nobility, medieval professions, or ancient Slavic traditions. Many of these names were shaped by Poland’s past and reflect the country’s evolving language and society. Below is a list of Polish surnames that have been passed down for generations.

1. Antol

This surname is derived from a personal name ‘Antoni’ and is passed on to that particular family. The word derived from Latin means something precious.

2. Bańka

This Polish last name was mostly given to people who were short and fat.

3. Borkowski

This is another habitational Polish surname which means ‘someone who belongs to the pine forest’.

4. Chlebek

This is an occupational polish name. The word is derived from the Polish word ‘chelb’ that means bread.

5. Czarnecki

This is a habitational Polish surname. It means someone who belongs to the place ‘Czarnca’.

6. Czajkowski

This is a topographical surname that refers to people who belong to the village ‘Czajkow’ where there are many lapwing birds available.

7. Dubanowski

This is another topographic surname in Poland which is given to families that originally belong to the village Dubinowo.

8. Dunajski

This is a Polish surname which is derived from the name of the river Danube. This name implies people who live on the banks of river Danube.

9. Gorka

This is a topographic Polish surname that is given to many residents who belong to the same town in Poland.

10. Jankowski

This is a topographic Polish surname which implies the habitats of a town called Jankowo.

11. Jelen

This surname demarks people who originate from Czech Republic. The name means ‘a stag’.

12. Kozlowski

This is a geographical surname that implies ‘belonging to Kozlowo’. Kozlowo in polish means ‘he-goat’.

13. Kwiatkowski

This is a habitational surname that had been given to someone who hails from Kwiatków, a place in Poland.

14. Krakowski

This surname is a topographical one which demarks the people who belong to the city called Krakow.

15. Nowak

This Polish last name denotes a person who is a newcomer to a district or somebody who is new to a particular profession.

FAQs

1. How can I trace my Polish ancestry through surnames?

You can research Polish ancestry by looking at surname origins, regional records, and historical documents. Many Polish last names are tied to specific regions, making it easier to trace family roots.

2. Can two unrelated people have the same Polish surname?

Yes, having the same surname does not always mean two people are related. Many surnames were independently adopted based on professions, geography, or characteristics. For example, thousands of people may share the surname Nowak, meaning “newcomer.”

3. Can Polish surnames come from nature?

Absolutely! Many Polish surnames are inspired by nature. Sikora (a small bird), Sówka (owl), and Żuraw (crane) all come from animals, while Śniegowski is related to śnieg (snow).

This is a list of the most popular Polish last names that you can find around. These will give you some fun ideas on last names and help you narrow down your favourites! Make sure to add these to your list of last names.

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