Surname Lewko - Meaning and Origin
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Lewko: What does the surname Lewko mean?
The last name Lewko is of Polish origin, and is believed to be derived from the root word ‘Lew’ which means ‘lion’. It is thought that this surname was first used by individuals who were brave and lion-hearted in battle. It may also have been adopted by those who were particularly loyal to their family or tribe, and seen as a symbol of strength and courage. The last name Lewko is also thought to imply a connection with the family's coat of arms which typically featured a lion or a bear as one of its symbols.
In some cases, Lewko has been understood to symbolize an individual who was also powerful and influential in their community. Those who were granted hereditary titles or noble status would often have the surname applied to their own branch of the family. This was to ensure that the individual's origin and influence was recognised and acknowledged within the district or village in which the surname was used.
Regardless of its original meaning, the Lewko family tree can now be found across the globe, thanks to later migrations. Origin in Poland may also suggest long-standing connections with other Slavic nations and languages such as Czech and Slovak, whereby the use of Lewko may have been more widespread.
Order DNA origin analysisLewko: Where does the name Lewko come from?
The last name Lewko is a relatively uncommon family name that is found in countries throughout the world. It is particularly common in Central and Eastern Europe, where it originated.
In the United States, Lewko is most commonly found among families of Eastern European descent, many of whom are from counties such as Ukraine, Belarus, Hungary, Russia, Poland, Romania and Lithuania. In particular, Lewko is commonly found in Milwaukee, Chicago, Detroit, and Philadelphia.
In Canada, Lewko is most common in Ontario and Quebec.
In the United Kingdom, Lewko is most commonly found in England, particularly in London. It is also relatively common in Scotland.
In Australia, Lewko is most commonly found in New South Wales and Victoria.
In Europe, Lewko is most common in Germany, Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Ukraine.
Overall, Lewko is a moderately uncommon name, though it can be found in nearly every corner of the globe. It is particularly prominent in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as regions of the United Kingdom and Canada that were once home to a significant Eastern European population.
Variations of the surname Lewko
The surname Lewko is of Slavic origin, and may be alternatively spelled with the letter ‘v’ in the place of the ‘w’ as “Lewko”. Variations on the surname include Levko, Lewkowicz, Lewkow, Lewkowie, Lewkowicz, Lewkowiczem, Lewkowiczow, Lewkowiczom, Lewkowiczami, Lewkovsky, Lewkovska, Lewkov, Lewkovy, Lewkovets. Other spellings include Lewch, Lewtch, Levche, Lefko, Leffko, Leebko, Lefch, Lework and Lyvko.
Surnames of similar origin include Lewkowicz, Lewch, Levch, Levchenko, Levchenko, Lefkowitz, Levina, Levon, Levonuk, Levinson, Levinsky and Levonka.
The surname Lewko is typically associated with professions such as stonemason or blacksmith or craftsman. Additionally, reports by the United States Census Bureau and Social Security Administration indicate that from 2000 to 2013, the top five cities in the U.S. with the highest proportion of surname Lewko are Cleveland, OH; Erie, PA; Baltimore, MD; Omaha, NE; and Richmond, VA.
It is likely that those who carry the Lewko surname and its variants achieved higher levels of education and experienced greater economic success than their predecessors. Traditionally, those carrying the surname Lewko chose to assimilate into the larger culture and to take on professions that were in demand.
Today, those who carry the surname Lewko continue to be active in various professions including science, engineering, and medicine. With the increase in information access, it’s easier than ever before to connect with distant relatives and discover more about the origin of the Lewko surname.
Famous people with the name Lewko
- Roy Lewko: a freelance music producer, mixing engineer, and sound designer who has worked with numerous artists such as Cardi B, The Roots, and Charli XCX.
- Daniel Lewko: a music producer, singer-songwriter, and audio engineer whose work includes producing songs for Calvin Harris and Rihanna.
- Larry Lewko: a retired professional American football player who spend eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL) after being drafted in the third round of the 1984 NFL Draft.
- Paul Lewko: a former professional Canadian football player who played in six Canadian Football League (CFL) seasons with the Calgary Stampeders and British Columbia Lions.
- Brigitte Lewko: an actress who has appeared in films such as Citizen Kane and The Shawshank Redemption.
- Lauren Lewko: a world-renowned classical violinist who has performed as a soloist with dozens of orchestras throughout the world and also performed with the National Symphony Orchestra and the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
- Andrew Lewko: a Canadian actor who appeared in films such as Goon and the television series Murdoch Mysteries and Rookie Blue.
- Michael Lewko: a Grammy-winning music producer and songwriter who has worked with artists ranging from Run-DMC to Jay-Z to Lil Wayne.
- Steve Lewko: an American illustrator and graphic designer with extensive work for Marvel Comics and DC Comics.
- Christine Lewko: a correspondence artist who has been featured in several publications throughout the years, including the New Yorker, High Fidelity, and Esquire.