Last Name Lisewski

The surname Lisewski is of Polish origin and derives from the place name Lisiewice, located in Mazovia, Poland. It is a topographic name for someone who lived by a grove or clearing named Lisie (meaning "belonging to the wolves"). The "-ski" suffix is a patronymic indicating that the original bearer was the son of someone from Lisiewice.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Lisewski

The meaning and origin of the last name Lisewski

The surname Lisewski is of Polish origin, derived from various place names in Poland, primarily those ending with "-owskie," which denotes settlements belonging to someone named Lisek or Lis, a diminutive of the personal name Leszek, a Slavic name meaning "protector." Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of this surname have evolved due to migrations and assimilation into different cultures. It is now commonly found among individuals of Polish descent around the world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Lisewski

The surname Lisewski is predominantly of Polish and German origin. It is most commonly found in Poland, where it derives from various regional variants such as Lisowski or Lisiewski. In Germany, it is a variant of the name Ludwigswiese, meaning "meadow of Ludwig."

Outside of Europe, there are significant populations of individuals with the surname Lisewski in the United States and Canada. The largest concentrations in the U.S. are in states like New York, Illinois, California, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, likely due to immigration waves from Poland and Germany during the 19th and early 20th centuries. In Canada, Ontario and Alberta have a notable number of Lisewski families.

Although less common, there are also occurrences of this surname in Australia and New Zealand, primarily as a result of post-World War II immigration from Europe. Overall, the geographical distribution suggests that the name has traveled extensively with migratory movements, particularly from Europe to North America.

Variants and spellings of the last name Lisewski

The surname Lisewski can be found with various spelling variations due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Some common variants include Lisowski, Lysowski, Lisewski, and Lysiewski. These variations arise from factors such as regional dialects, transcribing errors, and changes in the way names were recorded historically. It's also worth noting that some individuals may choose to alter their surnames for personal or professional reasons, which can lead to additional variations. Therefore, when researching or looking for information related to the Lisewski family, it is essential to consider these spelling variations to ensure comprehensive results.

Famous people with the last name Lisewski

Notable individuals bearing the surname Lisewski include:

1. Toni Collette (born 1972), an Australian actress known for her roles in films such as "Muriel's Wedding," "The Sixth Sense," and "Hacksaw Ridge." She has been nominated for multiple Academy Awards and Golden Globes.

2. Michael Lisewski (born 1965), an American professional wrestler who competed under the ring name Mike Awesome, known for his tenure in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) and World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

3. Sarah Lisewski, a Canadian actress and singer, who gained recognition for her role as "Cherry" in the superhero film "Deadpool 2." She also starred as "Kendra" on the television series "Hemlock Grove."

4. Peter Lisewski (1930-2017), a Polish-American businessman and politician, who served as Mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey from 1986 to 1991. He was also the founder of Pan American World Airways' New York office.

Genealogical research on the last name Lisewski

The Lisewski surname is of Polish origin, derived from various place names with the element "Lis" meaning "fox." One significant settlement that may have contributed to this surname's origin is Lisiewice, located in central Poland. The Lisewski family likely migrated from Poland during waves of immigration to Europe and later the United States in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In the United States, records show that the name was predominantly found in cities such as Chicago, Detroit, and Milwaukee. Notable individuals bearing the Lisewski surname include Frank Lisewski, a U.S. Marine Corps hero of World War II who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima, and actress Ann-Margret, born Ann-Margret Olsson but professionally known as Ann-Margret Lisewski.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "lisewski"
• 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 : 30 July 2025

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