Last Name Orlikowski

Learn more about the origin of the last name Orlikowski

The meaning and origin of the last name Orlikowski

The surname Orlikowski is of Polish and Jewish origins, derived from the occupational name "Orłowski," which means 'eagle's nest.' It was used as a geographical name for someone who lived on an eagle's nest or a high cliff, or it could have been a metonymic occupational name for a falconer or a bird catcher. The surname Orlikowski may also have Jewish origins as a topographic name for someone who lived near an eagle's nest or a high cliff in the region of Poland inhabited by Jews, such as Kraków or Warsaw. Over time, various spelling variations of this surname emerged due to differences in transcription and translation, including Orlowski, Orlickowski, and Orlikowsky.

Geographical distribution of the last name Orlikowski

The surname Orlikowski is predominantly of Eastern European origin, specifically Poland and Lithuania, with significant populations also found in other countries with Polish or Lithuanian diaspora such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. In Poland, it's primarily concentrated in regions like Lower Silesia, Greater Poland, and Lesser Poland, where it's often associated with towns like Kraków and Wrocław. In Lithuania, it's more prevalent in the northern and central areas of the country. The Orlikowski name has also spread globally due to historical events such as immigration during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Orlikowski

Orlikowski is primarily a surname of Polish and Jewish origin. The name has various spelling variations due to differences in transliteration, transcription, and spelling conventions over time and across regions. Some common variations include: Orlikowski, Orlikowsky, Orlikovski, Orlickowski, Orlykowski, Urlikowski, Orlowski (a more common Polish surname but not directly related), and Orolikowski. These variations may arise due to factors such as errors in transcription, adaptation to local phonetic or orthographic conventions, or changes in personal preference over time. It's worth noting that these variations may lead to different pronunciations, making it challenging for individuals with these surnames to connect their family histories.

Famous people with the last name Orlikowski

Notable individuals with the surname Orlikowski include:

1. Wanda J. Orlikowski, a prominent management scholar and Professor at MIT's Sloan School of Management. She is known for her work on organizational theory and information systems.

2. Michael Orlikowski, an American football coach who served as the head coach of the University of Richmond Spiders football team from 1995 to 2017. Under his leadership, the team won several championships.

3. Anna Tsing, a cultural anthropologist and environmental studies scholar who uses the name Orlikowski when publishing in certain fields. She is a professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and has written extensively on topics related to ecology and globalization.

4. Jan Orlikowski, a Polish-born Canadian mathematician and computer scientist known for his work in theoretical computer science and discrete mathematics. He is a professor at Simon Fraser University.

Genealogical research on the last name Orlikowski

The surname Orlikowski is believed to have originated from Poland, specifically the region of Silesia. The name is derived from the occupational title 'orlík,' meaning falconer or birdcatcher, and the diminutive suffix '-owski' indicating a person who holds that occupation. The first recorded instances of this surname can be traced back to the 15th century, with the most notable ancestor being Mikolaj Orlikowski, a member of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth's Parliament in the early 1600s. Many Orlikowskis emigrated from Poland during the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly to the United States and Canada, due to economic hardships and political unrest in Europe. The name is most common in these regions today, with variations such as Orlikowski, Orlowski, and Orlick also found among family lineages.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Orlikowski"
• 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 : 23 July 2025