Surname Wilanski - Meaning and Origin

Wilanski: What does the surname Wilanski mean?

The last name Wilanski is of Polish origin and is derived from the name "Wilan," which means "garden plot" or "cropland." This is likely because Wilanski family members were farmers and associated with agricultural work. Additionally, it is believed that the name Wilanski can derived from the place name "Wilan," which is a village located in modern-day southwestern Poland.

The last name Wilanski is found mainly in Poland, the United States, and Canada but can be found in other Central and Eastern European countries as well. It is likely that many of those with the last name Wilanski who emigrated to other countries are descendants of those who lived in Wilan and other small villages and towns in the region.

From a genealogical standpoint, Wilanskis are generally considered to have descended from a local noble family, as records of Wilanskis bearing this name go back centuries. This noble family likely held land in the region around Wilan. Today, the name Wilanski is quite common in Poland and in many other countries, with various members of the family living in different places around the world.

Wilanski: Where does the name Wilanski come from?

The last name Wilanski is currently found predominantly in Poland, where it originated centuries ago as a patronymic surname. It is believed to have originated from the Slavic word “Wilan”, meaning “bright”. Wilanski is also less commonly found in other parts of eastern Europe, especially in Lithuania, Belarus, and the Ukraine. The name is also found in parts of the United States, mainly in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, as a result of settlers from Poland.

The name Wilanski has taken on many other forms in various countries, such as Wilanskiy (Russia), Wilanskij (Latvia), Vilanskis (Lithuania), Vilanske (Belarus), and Vilansky (Ukraine). With the name’s increasing popularity, it is becoming more widespread, particularly in Europe. In the United States, the name Wilanski is most common in large cities like New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, and is also found in smaller cities throughout the country.

The prevalence of the name Wilanski in Poland is especially strong, where its origins date back to at least the 14th century. There are various spellings of the name in modern Poland, some of the most common being Wilanskis, Wilanskij, and Vilanski. The name is common enough in Poland that the current Polish Prime Minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, bears the surname Wilanski. This suggests the name Wilanski is quite widespread across the country today.

Variations of the surname Wilanski

The surname Wilanski or Wilansky is of Polish origin and derives from the given name Wilan or Vílan. It is said to be derived from the elements “vil”, meaning “meadow”, and “an”, a diminutive suffix.

Variants of the surname Wilanski include Wilensky, Wilenski, Vylansky, Wilenska, Vylensky, Vylenski, Vilenska, the spelling variation Wilinsk, and the Americanized spelling Wylanskey.

A few other surnames which can be traced to the same origin are Wilusz, Wilosz, Wilasz, Vylaż, Vilensky, Wilasinski, Vilyanaski, and Valensky.

The surname Wilusz derives from the given name Wiluss, which is formed from the Polish verb wilac, meaning “to bind or truss”. Wilosz is another variant spelling of Wilusz, while Wilasz is an archaic version of Wilusz.

Vylaż, Vilensky, Wilasinski, and Vilyanaski are all related to "Wilanski" and are derived from the old Slavic or Polish given names Wilek or Vilek, which is possibly derived from the element “vil”, meaning “meadow”.

The surname Valensky is a Polish surname derived from the Czech given name Válen, which originally derived from the Czech element “vláti”, meaning “to roam” or “to wander”.

Famous people with the name Wilanski

• Mark Wilanski: Actor known from his roles in the films Damn Yankees, Dragnet, Grease 2, and Education of Little Tree.
• Angela Wilanski: Fashion designer and stylist who has worked on projects for television, fashion shows, and red-carpet events.
• Brian Wilanski: Composer and arranger with a long list of TV and stage credits. He has worked on projects with artists such as Michael Jackson and Barbra Streisand.
• Melissa Wilanski: A Cleveland based artist and photographer with multiple exhibitions under her belt.
• Peter Wilanski: A Los Angeles based architect and interior designer, known for his contemporary designs.
• Renee Wilanski: An international award-winning pianist who has performed for audiences around the world.
• Rebecca Wilanski: A successful restaurateur, Rebecca is the owner of the popular Upper West Side eatery Wilanski’s.
• Siobhan Wilanski: A renowned sommelier and wine connoisseur, Siobhan’s knowledge and expertise is sought after in the wine and food industries.
• Teresa Wilanski: A marketing professional and consultant, known for her expertise in branding and design.
• Thomas Wilanski: An award-winning composer and sound designer for films and television.

Other surnames

Wilansky