Surname Nowak - Meaning and Origin
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Rethinking My Nowak Family Identity: Discoveries from My iGENEA DNA test
My journey with iGENEA DNA testing, uncovering the deep-seated roots and previously unknown associations of my family name, Nowak, has been a transformative experience. The test results have reshaped my perspective on my family identity, story, and my understanding of my surname.
B. Nowak
read moreNowak: What does the surname Nowak mean?
Nowak is a Polish last name meaning "newman" or "newcomer" (from the Polish word "nowy" which means "new"). The Nowak family can trace their roots back over a millennium, and were among the first people living in parts of present-day Poland.
Nowak is a fairly common surname in Poland, and is believed to have originated as an occupational surname. In the early days of modern Poland, people would often take the names of their trade or profession as their last name, so people with the surname Nowak may have been newcomers to the trade or came from a different area. Alternatively, the surname may have come from a nickname given to individuals who were refugees or immigrants.
The Nowak surname is also found in several other countries, including the United States, Germany, and even Israel. Depending upon where the surname originated, members of the Nowak family could have roots in Jewish, Catholic, Lutheran, and other religious traditions.
Due to its meaning and long history, the Nowak surname holds deep symbolic value in Poland and other countries. It serves as a reminder to those of Polish heritage that it is possible to embrace an unfamiliar land and start fresh, filling the land with hope and possibility.
Order DNA origin analysisNowak: Where does the name Nowak come from?
Nowak is a Polish and German surname which has several spellings, including Nawack, Naucke, Noack, Noak, Novack, and Novak. It is one of the most common names in Poland, ranking eighth in terms of frequency in 2015 according to the government's National Name Frequency Database. It is also the most common surname in Slovakia, Czech Republic, Croatia, and Slovenia according to the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions survey.
In the United States, Nowak is the 709th most common surname according to the 2000 census. It is most common in the Midwestern states of Minnesota, Michigan, Oregon, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana. It is also common in many of the Northern states, including New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
In Germany, Nowak is the 181st most common surname according to the Names Atlas, with the highest concentration being in the state of Berlin. It is also found in the states of Saxony, Brandenberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Lower Saxony.
In Canada, Nowak is the 2,277th most common surname, most common in the province of Ontario.
In Australia, Nowak is the 1,533rd most common surname, most common in the state of Victoria.
In England, Nowak is the 11,872nd most common surname, most common in the Greater London area.
Nowak is also a common last name in South Africa and Brazil.
Variations of the surname Nowak
The surname Nowak is one of the most common surnames in Central and Eastern Europe, coming from the term ‘nowy’ which means ‘new’ in Polish. It originates in the region of Poland formerly known as Galicia, which is now split between Poland, Ukraine and Romania.
Variations of this surname include Nowacki, Nowaczyk, Nowack, Nowakowski, Nowakowsky, Nowaczewski, Noavk, Novak, Nowicki and Novek. Its most common spellings are Nowak, Novak, Nowicki and Nowakowski. In some places such as Ukraine, the surname is spelled with a ‘v,’ becoming Novak.
Variants of this surname can also be found in other languages. In German, the surname is Nöwak, and in Czech, the surname is Novak.
Nowak is also known as a patronymic surname, meaning that surnames were derived from the first name of the father or grandfather. Nowakic and Nowacewski are examples of this type of surname, coming from the first name Nowak.
Other patronymic surnames derived from Nowak include Nowakowska, Nowakowicz, Nowaczewski, Nowak staged, Nowack and Nowatka.
Nowak is also occasionally seen as a surname of Jewish origin in places like the United States, Canada, and Australia, though this is much less common than the Polish origin of this surname.
In summary, the surname Nowak is very common in Central and Eastern Europe and its variants include Nowacki, Nowaczyk, Nowack, Nowakowski, Nowakowsky, Nowaczewski, Noavk, Novak, Nowicki, and Novek. It is also occasionally seen as a patronymic surname, such as Nowakic and Nowacewski, or as a surname of Jewish origin.
Famous people with the name Nowak
- Emily Nowak: professional figure skater, represented Germany in the 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics.
- Jan Nowak: Polish resistance fighter and journalist who fought the Nazis during World War II.
- Joe Nowak: three-time Super Bowl champion and All-Pro offensive lineman.
- Chris Nowak: former Major League Baseball player who currently coaches for the Minnesota Twins.
- Jimmy Nowak: Polish-American Drummer, well-known for his involvement in various metal and punk bands.
- Andrzej Nowak: Polish sociologist, historian, and philosopher, author of several books and essays.
- Robert Nowak: member and former director of the NYPD bomb squad.
- Maddie Nowak: former professional tennis player who represented the United States in the 2000 Olympics.
- Elizabeth Nowak: American physician and medical researcher, specializing in infectious diseases.
- Filip Nowak: Polish professional footballer, currently playing for London club Neasden United.