Show ContentsBorkowski History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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  • Germany
Borkowski Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Borkowski

What does the name Borkowski mean?

The name Borkowski comes from the German region of Westphalia. The tradition of adopting hereditary surnames came to Germany after the 12th century, and the names of places where people lived were a primary source. Many local names carry the prefix "von", meaning "of" or "from," which was originally an indicator of land ownership, and is sometimes a mark of nobility. The Borkowski family originally lived in or near one of the numerous places named Bork in Germany and in bordering Slav countries. Borkowski is a topographic surname, a type of local surname that was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. The toponym Borkowski is derived from the Old German word Burg, which meant castle or fortress.

Early Origins of the Borkowski family

The surname Borkowski was first found in Westphalia, where the name Borch was closely identified in early mediaeval times with the feudal society which would become prominent throughout European history. The name would later emerge as a noble family with great influence, having many distinguished branches, and become noted for its involvement in social, economic and political affairs.

Early History of the Borkowski family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Borkowski research. Another 74 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1617, 1681, 1707, 1747 and 1847 are included under the topic Early Borkowski History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Borkowski Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Borkowski include Bork, Borck, Borcke, Borcker, Bork, Borkk, Borkke, Borch and many more.

Early Notables of the Borkowski family

Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Borkowski Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Borkowski Ranking

In the United States, the name Borkowski is the 7,918th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Borkowski 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:

Borkowski Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Jozef Borkowski, (Borlowski), aged 29, Polish settler arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship “Friedeburg” in 1872
  • Dorota Borkowski, (Borlowski), aged 28, Polish settler arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship “Friedeburg” in 1872
  • Tomasz Borkowski, (Barkowski), aged 39, (d. 1916), Polish settler arrived in Jacksons Bay, New Zealand aboard the ship “Cartvale” in 1874
  • Marianne Borkowski, (née Kowalewska, Barkowski), aged 39, (d. 1911), Polish settler arrived in Jacksons Bay, New Zealand aboard the ship “Cartvale” in 1874
  • Elizbieta Borkowski, (Barkowski), aged 14, (d. 1910), Polish settler arrived in Jacksons Bay, New Zealand aboard the ship “Cartvale” in 1874
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Borkowski (post 1700)+

  • Michael John Borkowski (b. 1973), American race car driver from the Bronx, New York
  • David Richard Borkowski (b. 1977), American former Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played from 1999 to 2008
  • Robert Vilarian "Bob" Borkowski (b. 1926), American former outfielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1950 to 1955
  • Ansley Bernard Borkowski (1898-1992), American lawyer and politician, Member of the New York State Assembly in 1921 and (1924-1930), Clerk of the New York State Assembly (1936-1965)
  • Edmund C. Borkowski, American politician, Candidate for Michigan State Auditor General, 1940
  • Ansley B. Borkowski (1898-1992), American Republican politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Erie County 5th District, 1921, 1924-30
  • Ingo Borkowski (b. 1971), German silver medalist sailor at the 2000 Summer Olympics
  • Frank Borkowski, German bronze medalist judoka at the 1990 European Championships
  • Shek Borkowski (b. 1963), Polish born women's association football manager
Bismarck
  • Friedrich Borkowski (1920-1941), German Matrosengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 2
  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details

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