Kowalski History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany
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 Kowalski 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, Kowalski is one of the most common surnames in contemporary Poland.

Early Origins of the Kowalski family

The surname Kowalski 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 Kowalski family

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

Kowalski 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 Kowalski family

Prominent among those of the name Kowalski in this period were

the Kowalski family of Galicia

Kowalski Ranking

In the United States, the name Kowalski is the 2,508^th most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Kowalski is ranked the 2,901^st most popular surname with an estimated 2,000 - 2,500 people with that name. 2

Kowalski migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kowalski Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Carl Kowalski, who arrived in Baltimore in 1868
Antonia Kowalski, who came from the port of Bremen to New York in 1868
Ernestine Kowalski, who arrived in New York in 1873
Jacob Kowalski, whose Oath of Allegiance was recorded in Philadelphia in 1875
Michal Kowalski, who arrived at the port of Baltimore in 1881

Kowalski Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Francis Kowalski, who landed in New York, NY in 1901 3
Albert Kowalski, aged 21, who immigrated to the United States from Volsteihause, Germany, in 1908
Abraham Kowalski, aged 29, who settled in America from Kalisch, Russia, in 1909
Albert Kowalski, aged 27, who landed in America from Lukow, Russia, in 1910
Abram Kowalski, aged 44, who landed in America from Ostolenka, Russia, in 1911
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Kowalski (post 1700) +

Stan Kowalski (1926-2017), American professional wrestler
Ludwik Kowalski (b. 1931), Polish-American nuclear physicist and professor emeritus
Bernard Louis Kowalski (1929-2007), American two-time Primetime Emmy nominated film and television director
Mike Kowalski (b. 1944), American musician, the current drummer for the band "The Beach Boys"
Marge Kowalski, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from California, 1972 4
Lorraine Kowalski, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for Michigan State House of Representatives from Wayne County 1st District, 1952 4
Kenneth J. Kowalski, American politician, Representative from New York, 1990 (32nd District), 1992 (29th District) 4
Joseph J. Kowalski (b. 1914), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Michigan State House of Representatives from Wayne County 1st District, 1939-44 4
Joseph J. Kowalski (1911-1967), American Democratic Party politician, Member of Michigan State House of Representatives, 1949-67 4
Frank Kowalski (1907-1974), American Democratic Party politician, U.S. Representative from Connecticut at-large, 1959-63; Candidate in primary for U.S. Senator from Connecticut, 1962 4
... (Another 10 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Kowalski family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. Jan Kowalski (d. 1914), Polish Third Class Passenger from Kraków, Poland who was traveling aboard the Empress of Ireland and died in the sinking 5

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 6) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html