Kowalewski History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Poland

Over the course of its history, the boundaries of Poland changed frequently and as a result, Polish names have much in common with other Slavic names in the way they are formed. Polish surnames often end with a diminutive suffix, such as "-owicz," "ak," "ski," or "ska." The family name Kowalewski is an occupational type of surname, derived from the occupation of blacksmith. This name is a derivative of the word "kowal" which means "blacksmith" and, since this used to be a rather common profession, there were many bearers of the name. In fact, Kowalewski is one of the most common surnames in contemporary Poland.

Early Origins of the Kowalewski family

The surname Kowalewski was first found in Galicia which lies in southern Poland on the northern slopes of the Carpathians. It was overrun by Monguls in 1223. The region is composed of Polish and Ukrainian natives, the latter being to the east. The Ruthenian nobles adopted the Catholic faith and the Polish tongue. The surname became noted for its many branches in the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was envied by the princes of the region. In their later history the name became a power unto themselves and were elevated to the ranks of nobility as they grew into this most influential family.

Early History of the Kowalewski family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kowalewski research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kowalewski History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kowalewski Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Kowalski, Kowal, Kovalski, Kovel, Kovalski, Kofax, Kowalczyk, Kowalik, Kovaricek, Kovarik and many more.

Early Notables of the Kowalewski family

More information is included under the topic Early Kowalewski Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kowalewski Ranking

In the United States, the name Kowalewski is the 9,113^rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Kowalewski migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kowalewski Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Adolf Kowalewski, aged 30, who immigrated to the United States from Gelanance, Russia, in 1907
Adam Kowalewski, aged 33, who landed in America from Waidbudisghi, Russia, in 1909
Aleksander Kowalewski, aged 21, who settled in America from Jawowo, Russia, in 1910
Adalbert Kowalewski, aged 34, who landed in America from Skolki, Germany, in 1912
Adam Kowalewski, aged 35, who settled in America from Rachwalowice, Russia, in 1913

Kowalewski migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Kowalewski Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Lorenz August Kowalewski, (Kowalewska, Kovalewske, Kovalevski, Kovaleski), (b. 1835), aged 37, Polish farm labourer travelling from Hamburg aboard the ship "Palmerston" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 12th December 1872 2
Mrs. Jozefa (Josephine) Kowalewski, (Kowalewska, Kovalewske, Kovalevski, Kovaleski), (b. 1837), aged 35, Polish settler travelling from Hamburg aboard the ship "Palmerston" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 12th December 1872 2
Mr. Franz Kowalewski, (Kowalewska, Kovalewske, Kovalevski, Kovaleski), (b. 1861), aged 11, Polish settler travelling from Hamburg aboard the ship "Palmerston" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 12th December 1872 2
Miss Rosalie Kowalewski, (Kowalewska, Kovalewske, Kovalevski, Kovaleski), (b. 1863), aged 9, Polish settler travelling from Hamburg aboard the ship "Palmerston" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 12th December 1872 2
Mr. August Kowalewski, (Kowalewska, Kovalewske, Kovalevski, Kovaleski), (b. 1868), aged 4, Polish settler travelling from Hamburg aboard the ship "Palmerston" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 12th December 1872 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Kowalewski (post 1700) +

Günter Kowalewski (1943-1972), German wrestler who competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics
Dr. Gerhard Kowalewski (1876-1950), German mathematician who introduced the matrices notation

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html