Surname Rekowski - Meaning and Origin
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Rekowski: What does the surname Rekowski mean?
The last name Rekowski is of Polish origin. Although specific meaning of this surname might not be clear, it falls under the category of surnames derived from names of places. "Rekowski" is most likely related to places like Rekowo or Rekowskie, which are places in Poland. In Polish language, "Rekowski" literally translates to "of Rekowo". Surnames related to geographic areas were often assigned to signify where an individual came from or had significant relations with. Today, people with the Rekowski surname can be found in various parts of the world, but the surname has remained most common in Poland.
Order DNA origin analysisRekowski: Where does the name Rekowski come from?
The last name Rekowski is most commonly found in and around Poland today, especially in larger cities like Warsaw, Krakow, and Gdansk. It is one of the four hundred most popular Polish surnames, meaning it is fairly common among the population. It is a patronymic name, meaning 'son of Rek', where Rek is an old Polish given name. The name is also found in Germany, Lithuania, and Latvia, as well as small pockets in the United States and Canada, with the prevalence likely due to descendants of Polish immigrants.
Rekowski is typically represented in Polish documents with variations such as Rękowski and Rakowski, as well as a few more distant variants like Rékowski, Rékowský, and Reiccowsky. It has also been identified in records of Jewish heritage, sometimes spelled as Ragowsky.
The meaning of the Rekowski surname is expected to have originated from a mix of topographical elements and nicknames, with the name likely being derived from a place name associated with a nearby stream or furrow. The Rekowski family can trace its origins back to the Duchy of Pomerelia (formerly of western Prussia) in the 14th century, and is believed to have been subject to German rule until 1772, when the area was conquered by Imperial Russia.
Variations of the surname Rekowski
The surname Rekowski has several variants, spellings and related surnames from the same origin. The most common variants of Rekowski are Rekovsky, Rekovski, Rekovskis, Rekovskys, Rękowski, Rezkowski, Rhekovski, and Rzękowski.
Rekowski is found in many countries across Central and Eastern Europe, including Poland, Lithuania, Belarus, and Ukraine. It is thought to derive from the old Polish word “rzeka,” meaning river or stream. The name may also be derived from the old Polish word “rek,” meaning crested, or it may have been based on a geographical location in Poland near a body of water. Alternatively, it may refer to someone who lived or worked near a river, stream, or bank.
Alternative Polish spellings include Rezkówki and Rękówki. Lithuanian derivatives include Rekvoskis, Rekvosky, Rojčekovskij, and Rojcokovskoj. Ukrainian derivatives include Rzhekivskyy, Rekivskyy, and Rekovska. Belarusian variations include Rekavski, Rjekovski, Rieckowski, and Ryekowski.
Due to numerous spelling variations, surnames from the same origin may appear to be completely different at first glance. So, it is helpful to keep in mind the possible origin of a surname when researching ancestors and family history. Knowing the possible alternatives and variations can open up new doors in the search for one's past.
Famous people with the name Rekowski
- Dirk Rekowski: German Olympic rower who won gold in 1992 and 1996.
- Wojciech Rekowski: Polish actor and former stage director of the Teatr Nowy in Radom.
- Andrzej Rekowski: Polish historian who specializes in the medieval and modern history of the areas of Central and Eastern Europe.
- Bartosz Rekowski: Polish former footballer who played in the Polish Ekstraklasa league.
- Henryk Rekowski: Polish actor who starred in television series such as “Belfry Life” and “The Men”.
- Jarosław Rekowski: Polish former swimmer who represented Poland in the 1992 Olympics.
- Wojciech Rekowski: Polish former Olympic skier who competed in the 1984 Olympics.
- Kacper Rekowski: Polish international footballer who currently plays for the Górnik Zabrze in the Polish Ekstraklasa.
- Jakub Rekowski: Polish team handball player who competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics.
- Adam Rekowski: Polish professor of philosophy and Director of the Institute of Philosophy at the University of Warsaw.