Show ContentsKowal Surname History

Extended Surname History Download (PDF) - Letter Size

Extended Surname History Download (PDF) - Letter Size

Etymology of Kowal

What does the name Kowal mean?

The Kowal surname was originally derived from the old Slavic world "kowal," which means "blacksmith."

Kowal Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Koval, Kovalevich, Kovalsky, Kovalko, Kovalkovsky, Kovalovsky, Kovalik, Kovalikiv, Kovalchuk, Kovalenko, Kovalchenko, Kovalchik, Kovalskyi, Kovalevsky, Kowal, Kowalevich, Kowalsky, Kowalko, Kowalkovsky, Kowalovsky, Kowalik, Kowalikiv, Kowalchuk, Kowalenko, Kowalchenko, Kowalchik, Kowalskyi and many more.

Kowal Ranking

In the United States, the name Kowal is the 6,432nd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Kowal is ranked the 6,603rd most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 2

Kowal 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:

Kowal Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Herm W. Kowal, aged 32, Polish settler who arrived in Jacksons Bay, New Zealand aboard the ship "Terpsichore" in November 1876

Contemporary Notables of the name Kowal (post 1700) +

  • Kristina Ann Kowal (b. 1978), American three-time gold and silver medalist swimmer
  • Charles Thomas Kowal (1940-2011), American astronomer who discovered two moons of the planet Jupiter, and a number of asteroids, comets and supernovae, recipient of the 1979 James Craig Watson Medal
  • Terri Kowal (b. 1949), American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Michigan, 2004 3
  • Sheila Kowal, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Colorado, 1980 4
  • Leon J. Kowal, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Massachusetts, 1952 4
  • John Kowal, American politician, Candidate for New York State Assembly from Monroe County 4th District, 1936 4
  • Gerald J. Kowal, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Pennsylvania State Senate 19th District, 1980 4
  • Chester Kowal, American Republican politician, Mayor of Buffalo, New York, 1962-65; Delegate to Republican National Convention from New York, 1964 4
  • Yoann Kowal (b. 1987), French middle distance runner
  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 6) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html

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