Surname Warakowski - Meaning and Origin
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Warakowski: What does the surname Warakowski mean?
The surname Warakowski is of Polish origin. It comes from the word "wara" which may mean "argument" or "quarrel", and "-owski", a common ending in Polish surnames, usually indicates a connection to a place or reference. In general, Polish surnames that end in "-ski" or "-cki" are considered indicative of nobility in the past, but this is not an absolute rule and does not always apply. Due to its nature, the exact meaning of the surname Warakowski is not clearly defined and is open to various interpretations. It could possibly suggest a familial origin from a place associated with the name, or maybe an ancestor known for being argumentative or involved in disputes. Please note that surnames have evolved over time and may not necessarily reflect the current family's traits or status.
Order DNA origin analysisWarakowski: Where does the name Warakowski come from?
The last name Warakowski is most commonly found in Poland. According to the most recent census data, around 11,500 individuals of Polish ancestry have the Warakowski surname. The vast majority of those are located within Poland, particularly in the Łódź, Lesser Poland, and Masovian Voivodeships. Some people of this name are also located in areas with high concentrations of Polish Americans, including Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Illinois.
Classified under patronymic surnames, the Warakowski name is derived from the Polish-language name Warak, which is itself derived from the Middle High German term werah, meaning “watchman”. The name then probably came to signify a guard, or someone who carried out watchman duties.
The Warakowski name is found to some extent in other countries outside of Poland, including significant populations in Brazil, Germany, and Lithuania. Large numbers of Poles migrated from their homeland to other parts of the world throughout the 19th century, especially during World War 2, and it is likely that some of those individuals took the Warakowski name with them.
Although the Warakowski name is most commonly associated with Poland, it is clear that large numbers of individuals with this surname may be found in other countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Warakowski
The surname Warakowski has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most commonly used variants are Warakowski, Varakowski, Verakowski, Vorakowski, Varakoff, Vorakoff and Warakoff. Other variations of the surname include Verakoff, Varavko, Veravko, Varakof, Vorakov, Varakov, Vearkovsky, Voraka, Vorakovskiy, Vorakovetsky, Voratavskiy, Vorekovsky and Waraken.
Warakowski is an occupational name derived from the Russian word ‘warak’ which means ‘turnip’. This surname likely meant someone who was a ‘farmer of turnips.’ The various variants of the name developed in different regions of Eastern Europe and eventually spread to other parts of the world. This surname is particularly prevalent in Polish-speaking countries such as Poland, Belarus, Lithuania and Ukraine, American countries such as the U.S. and U.K., and Canada.
Warakowski is also a common spelling in Germany and Austria due to the large number of Polish immigrants who moved to these countries in the early to mid-1900s. In the U.S., the surname is commonly spelled Varakowski or Verakowski. There is also a Warakowski surname in the U.K., Australia and New Zealand.
In some cases, the surname can also be spelled Warkowski or Warkowsky. This spelling is often found in Jewish families who originated from Eastern European countries such as Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine. In the U.S., the surname is often spelled with a ‘V’, which would be Varakowski or Verakowski.
The surname Warakowski is also associated with famous individuals such as General Roman Warakowski of the Polish army during World War II, and actress Jackie Warakowski from the U.K.
Famous people with the name Warakowski
- Antoni Warakowski: He was a Polish poet, playwright, and satirist, popularly known as the "Polish Molière." He was a long-time professor at the Institute of Archeology of the Catholic University of Lublin.
- Kay Warakowski: She is a Canadian politician from Winnipeg who served as a Member of Parliament between 1993 and 1997.
- David Warakowski: He is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. He played for the San Diego Chargers, the Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders.
- Sławomir Warakowski: He is a Polish composer and tenor vocalist, best known for his works written in cooperation with Polish actress and singer, Ewa Dałkowska.
- Iwona Warakowska: She is a Polish Worldwide Mental Math Champion who is world-renowned for her amazingly rapid mental computational ability.
- Jack J. Warakowski: He is an American actor and director, who has appeared in numerous films and television series.
- Julian Warakowski: He is a Polish athlete and soldier who is best known for his participation in the 1920 Olympic Games where he won a Silver medal for the 60 metre hurdles.
- Agnieszka Warakowska: She is a Polish TV host, journalist, and documentary filmmaker, best known for her work on documentaries for the Discovery Science and Discovery World channels.
- Andrzej Warakowski: He is a Polish Army Major General and the current Commander of the 3rd Special Forces Brigade.
- Lukasz Warakowski: He is a Polish-born Canadian entrepreneur, businessman, and investor. He is the founder and executive chairman of LuxeCo Holdings, an international real estate investment and asset management company.