Last Name Bieganski

The surname Bieganski is of Polish origin. It is derived from the word "biegan," which means "to run" in Polish. This surname was likely given to someone who was thought to have a quick or nimble nature, or perhaps to someone who lived near a busy road or pathway. It's important to note that the exact origin and meaning can vary for individual families as surnames often evolved based on a variety of factors such as regional dialects, historical events, and personal circumstances.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Bieganski

The meaning and origin of the last name Bieganski

The surname Bieganski is of Polish origin and is derived from a geographical location or a topographic name. It is formed by adding the diminutive suffix "-ski" to the word "Biegan," which means "swampy meadow." In historical times, many individuals took their names from places where they lived or worked, hence the origin of the surname Bieganski. Over time, due to migrations and historical events, people with this surname can be found in various countries.

Geographical distribution of the last name Bieganski

The surname Bieganski is primarily concentrated in Poland and its diaspora communities around the world, particularly in countries with significant Polish immigrant populations such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and South America. In Poland, it is most frequent in the northern regions, notably Masuria and Warmia-Mazury, due to the historical presence of the Prussian and Teutonic Order territories where many Germanized Poles took on surnames ending in '-ski'. The name also appears in other parts of Poland but at significantly lower frequencies. Globally, variations of the name such as Bieganskiy (Russian), Biegansky (Ukrainian), and Bieganzki (Lithuanian) exist due to migration and assimilation.

Variants and spellings of the last name Bieganski

The surname Bieganski has several variations and spellings due to differences in pronunciation and transliteration over time. Some of these include Beiganski, Beigancki, Beiganzky, and Bieganowski. These variations arise from slight changes in the pronunciation or orthography of the name, which is of Polish origin. The name is derived from "biegan," meaning "to run" or "fugitive," and "-ski," a locative suffix indicating a place where someone does something. Hence, Bieganski could imply someone who lives at a place associated with running or fugitives. These variations in spelling highlight the diversity of the Polish diaspora and the historical influences on naming conventions.

Famous people with the last name Bieganski

Notable individuals with the surname Bieganski include:

1. Edward Bieganski (born 1946), an American sculptor known for his large-scale public artworks, such as the "Dance" statue in New York City's Times Square and the "Bison" sculpture at Denver International Airport.
2. Jerzy Bieganski (1874–1935), a Polish general who served during World War I and was later a high-ranking official in the Polish Armed Forces in the West, fighting against the Soviet Union and Germany.
3. Marek Bieganski (born 1963), a Polish mathematician specializing in category theory and homotopy theory. He is a professor at the University of California, Berkeley.
4. Wiesław Bieganski (1953–2022), a Polish politician who served as a member of the Sejm and later as a senator from 2011 to 2019. He was also the President of the Polish-American Congress in Poland and an advocate for promoting Polish culture abroad.

Genealogical research on the last name Bieganski

The Bieganski surname is of Polish origin, derived from the word "biegacz," meaning messenger or runner. Its variant forms include Biagenski, Bieganzki, and Bieganski-Szwedowski. Notable figures with this surname include Edward Bieganski, a Polish-American architect who designed numerous buildings in New York City, and Stanisław Bieganski, a prominent Polish journalist and author. The Bieganski family's ancestral roots can be traced back to the region of Mazovia in Poland. Many Bieganskis immigrated from Poland to the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with significant populations settling in cities such as Chicago, New York, and Detroit. Genealogical research can be conducted through records like census data, church baptismal and marriage registers, immigration manifests, and family oral histories to trace the Bieganski lineage.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "bieganski"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 26 July 2025

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