Surname Narkowicz - Meaning and Origin
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Narkowicz: What does the surname Narkowicz mean?
The last name Narkowicz is of Polish origin. The name is derived from the word narkotyk, which means narcotic or drug. The name most likely originated as a nickname for someone who had an addiction to drugs, or was involved in drug production or trade.
The surname could also derive from the Slavic word narok, meaning "great, glorious". This suggests that the original bearer of the name was a respected and noteworthy person.
The Narkowicz surname can be found in both Poland and within the United States. The surname is not a common one, however, its frequency is higher in the United States than in Poland.
Within Poland, the Narkowicz name can be found mainly in the regions in and around Kraków and Mikołów in the Silesian Voivodeship. In the United States, it can be found more frequently within the New England states of Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Generally, the Narkowicz name is associated with a hardworking, honest and humorous personality. Those born with this last name usually have a great sense of loyalty and appetite for life.
Order DNA origin analysisNarkowicz: Where does the name Narkowicz come from?
The last name Narkowicz is most common in Poland, where it ranks among the most widespread surnames. It is believed to have originated in the 13th century, making it one of the oldest Polish surnames still in use. Over 20,000 people in Poland currently carry the Narkowicz name.
The surname also appears in the United States with around 1,500 people carrying the name; most are of Polish descent. It is likely that the name was brought to America by immigrants in the 19th century. The name can also be found in other countries across Europe, including Belarus, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Austria, and Hungary – although it is a rarity in these places.
Variations on the spelling are common, such as Narzowicz, Narckowicz, and Narkowitz. Although the surname is most connected to Polish origins, certain non-Polish people have also adopted the name. One example is the French-American Francis Narkowicz who changed his name upon moving to the US.
Today, the name Narkowicz is most heavily linked with Poland, although it can still be found in other places across the globe. The surname continues to be used by many families, and its spellings have evolved over the centuries to better suit the language and accent of different countries.
Variations of the surname Narkowicz
The surname Narkowicz is of Polish origin and derives from the old Polish word 'narkotyk'. This is a noun meaning drug or 'prisoner' and is believed to have been used as a derogatory or nickname for prisoners of war during the Middle Ages. The surname can be spelt and varied in several ways, including: Narkowicz, Narkovitch, Narkovits, Narkowich, Narkowicz, and many others. It is often found in countries with large Polish populations or with Polish emigrants, such as Germany, Austria, the United States, Britain, and Canada.
The spelling variants of the surname Narkowicz can also be divided into two distinct categories: those derived directly from the Poles and those derived indirectly from other ethnicities. An example of the former would be the forms Narkowczyk, Narkovski and Narkalach. These spellings are derived directly from the Polish language in which the surname was originally used.
On the other hand, spellings derived indirectly from other ethnicities include Narkovich, Narkotoff and Narkovne, which are simplifications of the Polish spelling. Furthermore, some of the variants have been further modified by other countries such as Russia, which added its own endings to the surname such as Narkovitch and Narkowitsch. Other variants can also be found in the United States, where the surname was often Americanised and shortened to simply “Nark”.
Regardless of the spelling variant used, the original meaning of the name, “drug or ‘prisoner’” remains the same amongst all the spellings and surnames of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Narkowicz
- Ken Narkowicz: American actor, writer, storyteller and radio host
- Danielle Narkowicz: Australian actress and producer
- Sven Narkowicz: German sculptor and painter
- Enid Narkowicz: British actress
- Paul Narkowicz: American actor and stuntman
- Jayson Narkowicz: American playwright and theatre director
- Julian Narkowicz: Australian mixed-media installation artist
- Joseph Narkowicz: American cellist and music educator
- Karel Narkowicz: Czech-American neuroscientist
- Richard Narkowicz: British classical composer