Common Polish Last Names: A Guide to Understanding Their Origins and Meanings

Are you interested in Polish genealogy or simply curious about the origins of Polish surnames? This comprehensive list explores some of the most common Polish last names, delving into their rich history and diverse meanings. From patronymics to occupational names, this guide will help you understand the fascinating stories behind these surnames and their connections to Polish culture and heritage.
1. **Kowalski:** Smith, blacksmith, descendant of a smith
2. **Nowak:** New, recent, newcomer, someone who arrived recently
3. **Wiśniewski:** From the village of Wiśniewo, meaning "willow tree"
4. **Kowalczyk:** Small smith, diminutive of Kowalski
5. **Zieliński:** Relating to the herb "ziele" (herb, plant)
6. **Szymczak:** Son of Szymon, meaning "hearing, listener"
7. **Wójcik:** Small voivode, diminutive of Wójcicki
8. **Jankowski:** Son of Jan, meaning "God is merciful"
9. **Kwiatkowski:** Relating to the flower "kwiat" (flower)
10. **Lewandowski:** Descendant of someone who lived near a lion's den
11. **Wróbel:** Sparrow, small bird
12. **Majewski:** Son of Maciej, meaning "gift of God"
13. **Dąbrowski:** From the place with oak trees, meaning "oak grove"
14. **Grabowski:** From the place with alder trees, meaning "alder grove"
15. **Mazur:** Resident of Mazovia, a region in Poland
16. **Kaczmarek:** Son of Kacper, meaning "treasure, keeper of the treasury"
17. **Kamiński:** From the place with stones, meaning "stone place"
18. **Pawlak:** Son of Paweł, meaning "small, humble"
19. **Woźniak:** Wagoner, driver of a cart
20. **Szewczyk:** Shoemaker, maker of shoes
21. **Sikora:** Oak tree, strong and enduring
22. **Michalski:** Son of Michał, meaning "who is like God?"
23. **Królikowski:** Relating to a rabbit, meaning "rabbit"
24. **Marciniak:** Son of Marcin, meaning "war god"
25. **Krawczyk:** Tailor, maker of clothes
26. **Zając:** Hare, rabbit, nimble and fast
27. **Górecki:** From the place with mountains, meaning "mountainous region"
28. **Czerwiński:** From the place with worms, meaning "worm place"
29. **Rutkowski:** Relating to a rye field, meaning "rye field"
30. **Piotrowski:** Son of Piotr, meaning "rock, stone"
31. **Borkowski:** From the place with pines, meaning "pine grove"
32. **Mroczek:** Small darkness, diminutive of Mrok (darkness)
33. **Ostrowski:** From the place with sharp edges, meaning "sharp-edged place"
34. **Stępień:** Relating to a steppe, meaning "steppe"
35. **Sokołowski:** From the place with falcons, meaning "falcon place"
36. **Woźnica:** Driver of a wagon, similar to Woźniak
37. **Kwiatkowska:** Female form of Kwiatkowski, meaning "relating to flowers"
38. **Nowacka:** Female form of Nowak, meaning "new, recent"
39. **Lewandowska:** Female form of Lewandowski, meaning "descendant of someone who lived near a lion's den"
40. **Wiśniewska:** Female form of Wiśniewski, meaning "from the village of Wiśniewo"
41. **Kowalska:** Female form of Kowalski, meaning "smith, blacksmith"
42. **Zielińska:** Female form of Zieliński, meaning "relating to herbs"
43. **Szymczakowa:** Female form of Szymczak, meaning "daughter of Szymon"
44. **Jankowska:** Female form of Jankowski, meaning "daughter of Jan"
45. **Dąbrowska:** Female form of Dąbrowski, meaning "from the place with oak trees"
46. **Grabowska:** Female form of Grabowski, meaning "from the place with alder trees"
47. **Majewska:** Female form of Majewski, meaning "daughter of Maciej"
48. **Kamińska:** Female form of Kamiński, meaning "from the place with stones"
49. **Pawlakowa:** Female form of Pawlak, meaning "daughter of Paweł"
50. **Kaczmarek:** Female form of Kaczmarek, meaning "daughter of Kacper"
51. **Michalska:** Female form of Michalski, meaning "who is like God?"
52. **Królikowska:** Female form of Królikowski, meaning "relating to a rabbit"
53. **Marciniakowa:** Female form of Marciniak, meaning "daughter of Marcin"
54. **Krawczykowa:** Female form of Krawczyk, meaning "daughter of a tailor"
55. **Zającowa:** Female form of Zając, meaning "daughter of someone with a hare"
56. **Górecka:** Female form of Górecki, meaning "from the place with mountains"
57. **Czerwińska:** Female form of Czerwiński, meaning "from the place with worms"
58. **Rutkowska:** Female form of Rutkowski, meaning "relating to a rye field"
59. **Piotrowska:** Female form of Piotrowski, meaning "daughter of Piotr"
60. **Borkowska:** Female form of Borkowski, meaning "from the place with pines"
61. **Mroczkowa:** Female form of Mroczek, meaning "daughter of someone with a small darkness"
62. **Ostrowska:** Female form of Ostrowski, meaning "from the place with sharp edges"
63. **Stępień:** Female form of Stępień, meaning "relating to a steppe"
64. **Sokołowska:** Female form of Sokołowski, meaning "from the place with falcons"
65. **Woźnicowa:** Female form of Woźnica, meaning "daughter of a driver of a wagon"