Last Name Pawlowska

The surname Pawlowska is of Polish and Slavic origin. It derives from the male given name Pawel, which is a common Polish form of Paul. In Poland, it was traditionally a patronymic surname, meaning "son (or daughter) of Pawel." Therefore, the feminine form Pawlowska would mean "daughter of Pawel." The usage of patronymic surnames, such as Pawlowska, was common among many Slavic peoples.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Pawlowska

The meaning and origin of the last name Pawlowska

The surname Pawłowska is of Polish origin, derived from the male given name Pawel, which is a variant of Paul. In Poland, surnames often ended with the feminine suffixes -owa or -ówna to denote female lineage. The suffix -owska in this case indicates that the original bearer was the daughter of someone named Pawel. The name Pawłowska has been widely distributed across Poland and is also found among the Polish diaspora around the world due to historical migrations, particularly in the 19th century during Partitions of Poland. It's important to note that surnames can be complex, with multiple origins and variations depending on regional dialects and historic circumstances.

Geographical distribution of the last name Pawlowska

The surname Pawłowska is predominantly of Polish origin, with a significant concentration within Poland itself. According to various data sources, it ranks among the most common surnames in the country, especially in regions such as Lesser Poland and Masovia. Beyond Poland, there are also notable populations of individuals bearing this surname in other Eastern European countries like Belarus, Ukraine, Lithuania, Russia, and Czech Republic, likely due to historical migration patterns. In addition, diaspora communities can be found in various parts of the world, particularly North America and Australia, where Poles have immigrated over the centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Pawlowska

The surname Pawlowska possesses several variations due to spelling differences across languages and cultures. In English, it can be found as Pawlowski, Pawlowsky, or Pawlowske, which are phonetic alterations of the original Polish surname. In Polish, it is traditionally spelled Pawłowska, but other variations such as Pawlowska-Kulesza, Pawlowska-Sowa, and Pawlowska-Nowak can occur when a maiden name or married name is combined with the original surname. Additionally, diaspora communities from Poland may have further modified the spelling over time to accommodate regional dialects or language assimilation, resulting in alternate spellings such as Pavlowsky or Pawlowschikoff.

Famous people with the last name Pawlowska

Notable individuals with the surname Pawłowska include:

1. Zofia Pawłowska (1861-1947), a Polish painter known for her landscapes and portraits. She studied in Munich and Paris, and was a member of the Polish avant-garde artistic group "The Young Poland".

2. Anna Pawłowska (born 1988), a Polish volleyball player who has represented Poland at international competitions including the Olympic Games, World Championships, and European Championships. She is a multiple-time champion of Poland and Europe.

3. Ewa Pawłowska (born 1956), a Polish mathematician known for her work in harmonic analysis, operator theory, and functional analysis. She has received numerous awards for her contributions to mathematics, including the European Mathematical Society Prize.

4. Katarzyna Pawłowska (born 1973), a Polish actress who gained recognition for her roles in films such as "The Wedding" and "Cold War". She has won multiple awards for her performances, including the Silver Bear for Best Actress at the Berlin International Film Festival.

These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields in art, sports, and mathematics, reflecting the diversity of accomplishments by those bearing the surname Pawłowska.

Genealogical research on the last name Pawlowska

The surname Pawłowska is predominantly of Polish origin, stemming from various regions within the country. Notable variations include Pawlak, Pawłowski, and Pawlik, all of which are patronymic forms derived from the given name Pawel. The name's etymology can be traced back to the Old Slavonic 'Pavel,' meaning 'small' or 'humble.'

The most significant wave of Polish immigration to other countries occurred during the 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily due to political upheaval and economic hardship. This migration spread the Pawłowska surname across various parts of Europe and North America. In North America, the name is particularly prevalent in Canada and the United States.

Genealogical research suggests that the distribution of the Pawłowska surname within Poland is widely dispersed, with concentrations in regions such as Mazovia, Greater Poland, Silesia, and Podlasie. The most common first names associated with the Pawłowska surname include Anna, Maria, Barbara, and Katarzyna.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "pawlowska"
• 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 : 29 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends