Surname Nowakewitz - Meaning and Origin
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Nowakewitz: What does the surname Nowakewitz mean?
The last name Nowakewitz is of Polish origin and is derived from the old Slavic terms “nowa” meaning new or newness and “kewica” meaning valley. This makes Nowakewitz, in its most literal sense, mean “new valley” or “valley of newness,” suggesting the family were likely early settlers in a particular area or perhaps were those who re-settled a previously-inhabited land.
It’s likely that family members who originally bore the name Nowakewitz were pioneers who were brave enough to settle in a new area and establish a home there. This could have been a task fraught with difficulties such as having to clear land, build homes and establish systems of irrigation for farming. The rewards of doing so would have been great, however, as they could have been among the original owners of the land and saw it grow and flourish.
The Nowakewitz last name is thought to have been derived from an area in the northwestern part of Poland known as Nowakewice. Here, a succession of those bearing the family’s last name have lived in the area since medieval times, making it likely that the family settled here during the Middle Ages.
For those descended from the original Nowakewitz family, the last name is a reminder of their pioneering ancestors who had the courage to start afresh in a new location. As a result, the family was able to make a new beginning and enjoy the rewards of their hard work. It is a lasting testament to their enterprising spirit.
Order DNA origin analysisNowakewitz: Where does the name Nowakewitz come from?
The Nowakewitz surname is most commonly found in the countries of Germany, the Netherlands and Poland. It is estimated that the earliest records of the Nowakewitz family date to the late 18th century in Germany, and the earliest recorded spelling of the name was recorded in Dutch records in 1764.
In Germany, the spelling of the name is most typically found as Nowakewitz, but variants such as Nowakowitsch and Nowakowitz are also seen. It is believed that the surname was derived from a combination of two distinct names, Nowak and Wietzes, which is an old German word meaning ‘offender’. This original Dutch spelling of the name was likely introduced when the family immigrated to the area from what is now known as the Netherlands.
In Poland, the surname is often spelled as Nowakiewitz, and the earliest records of this spelling of the name were found in the city of Suwałki near the border of Lithuania and Poland from the late 18th century.
Today, the surname is still most commonly found in Germany, the Netherlands and Poland with smaller numbers scattered throughout various parts of Europe and North America. The geographic distribution of the Nowakewitz family reflects the history of migrations and population flows between different parts of Europe during the course of the past five hundred years.
Variations of the surname Nowakewitz
Nowakewitz is a variant spelling of the German surname Nowakowicz, which is derived from the given name Nowak (meaning "newcomer"). It is a patronymic surname, which means it was originally based on the name of an ancestor's father, or another older relative. Nowak can be spelled in many different ways, including Nowakowski, Nowkowski, Novakovich, Nowakovich, Nowakowitsch, and Nowakowska.
The Nowakewitz surname has spread throughout Europe over time, and it has become anglicized in some cases. Variations on the spelling include Nowakijiwitz, Nowakiewic, Nowarkiewicz, Meowkaewicz, Noowakiewicz, Navakewitz, Nawakewitz, Nowakiewicz, Nowakevich, Nawaikowicz, Nowarchik, Noiwakewitz, and Nowakofski. All of these spellings are related to the original spelling of Nowakowicz.
The Nowakewitz surname can also be found in North America. Immigrants from Europe may have changed the spelling of their surname on arrival. Common anglicized variants of the surname include Nowakiewitz, Nowakwitz, Nowick, Nowack, Nowakosky, Nowik, and Noveck.
Finally, other names that appear to be related to Nowakewitz are Nowacki, Nowicki, Nowacka, Nowicky, Nowackow, and Nowickow. While these spellings are related to Nowakewitz, their origins are a bit more complicated to trace. It is likely that they are variants of the original spelling, but it is impossible to be certain without conducting research into the family history.
Famous people with the name Nowakewitz
- Jamie Nowakewitz: Actor and director in TV/film.
- Martina Nowakewitz: Web producer and content specialist.
- Carl Nowakewitz: Former general manager at Adidas.
- Gaby Nowakewitz: Environmental photographer and reporter.
- Christian Nowakewitz: CEO of an online gaming startup.
- Michael Nowakewitz: Professional snowboarder and X-Games gold medalist.
- Jennifer Nowakewitz: Formerly of the US Marine Corps.
- Robert Nowakewitz: Drummer and percussionist in the rock scene.
- Ivy Nowakewitz: Martial artist and co-founder of a self-defense school.
- Alastair Nowakewitz: Visual effects supervisor in the film industry.