Last Name Bielawski

The surname "Bielawski" is a Polish origin surname derived from the word "biel" which means 'white' in Polish and 'field' in Old Slavonic languages. It was often given to people who lived by or owned a white field, or to people who had fair complexions. The suffix "-ski" denotes that the original bearer of this name came from a place named Biele or Biela. Over time, variations of this surname can be found across Eastern Europe, particularly in Poland and Lithuania.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Bielawski

The meaning and origin of the last name Bielawski

The surname Bielawski is of Polish origin. It derives from the place name "Biała" (meaning 'White' in English), which was the name of various locations throughout historic Poland, such as towns and villages. The surname was likely taken on by individuals who lived near one of these settlements or by descendants of someone originally from there. Over time, the spelling has been anglicized to Bielawski due to linguistic and phonetic differences between Polish and English. It is important to note that surnames like Bielawski were often adopted during the Middle Ages when people began using family names as a means of identification, particularly following the Christianization of Poland in the 10th century. The use of hereditary family names was more common in Europe than in other parts of the world at this time and has been carried forward to the present day.

Geographical distribution of the last name Bielawski

The surname Bielawski is predominantly found in Poland and among Polish communities worldwide due to historical migration patterns. In Poland, it is most frequent in the regions of Mazovia, Podlasie, and Greater Poland, reflecting their dense Polish settlement. Beyond Poland, significant populations of people bearing this last name can be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, and other Western European countries as a result of post-World War II migrations and earlier waves of emigration. The frequency of Bielawski is relatively low in global context but locally significant within these communities.

Variants and spellings of the last name Bielawski

The surname Bielawski exhibits various spellings and pronunciations due to its Polish origin. Here are some of the most common variants:

1. Bielawski - This is the standard spelling in English, derived from the Polish name meaning "of Biała", a town or region in Poland.
2. Bielowski - This variant shares the same root as Bielawski but with the suffix "-ski" indicating it's of the place named Bielow, which is also in Poland.
3. Beilowski - An anglicized version of Bielawski or Bielowski, where the 'B' and 'I' have been interchanged.
4. Belawski/BeLawski - Spelling variations that may occur due to phonetic interpretations in English, where the 'B' is pronounced like a 'V'.
5. Byelawsky - A less common spelling found among Eastern European immigrants to the United States or other countries. The spelling change here reflects the way the name would have been transliterated from Cyrillic script.

Famous people with the last name Bielawski

Notable individuals bearing the surname Bielawski include:

1. Katherine Heigl, an American actress and film producer, best known for her roles in television series "Grey's Anatomy" and films like "Knocked Up."

2. Joanna Bielawska, a Polish politician who serves as the Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from Poland since 2019, representing the Left alliance.

3. Tomasz Bielawski, a Polish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Polish club Miedź Legnica and the Poland national team.

4. Agnieszka Bielawska, a Polish actress known for her roles in "Warsaw 44" and "The Pianist."

5. Paul Bielawski, an American professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for teams like the New York Rangers and the Philadelphia Flyers during the 1960s and '70s.

Genealogical research on the last name Bielawski

The surname Bielawski is of Polish origin, deriving from the village or region called "Bielawy," which can be found in several parts of Poland. The name often signifies someone who came from one of these places, such as Bielawa Podlaska, Bielawa Krzeszowska, or Bielawa Wielka. Over time, variations in the spelling and pronunciation of the name have arisen due to migration and linguistic adaptations, with some common variants including Belawski, Beilowski, Bielaski, and Bilowski. The family name Bielawski has a long history, with records dating back to the late Middle Ages in Poland. Notable individuals bearing this surname include artists, scholars, politicians, and soldiers throughout Polish history.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Bielawski"
• 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 : 10 June 2025

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