Last Name Szczygielski

The surname Szczygielski is of Polish origin. It derives from a topographic name for someone who lived near a signpost, from Old Polish "ścigida" (signpost), or a habitational name for someone from any of several places called Ścigielskie in Poland. The termination "-ski" indicates that the name is of Polish origin and designates that it belonged to someone from a specific place.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Szczygielski

The meaning and origin of the last name Szczygielski

The surname Szczygielski is of Polish origin, derived from various geographical locations or occupations throughout history. One possible origin is from the town of Szczygiełków, located in the Masovian Voivodeship, Poland. The name could also stem from a personal name Szczygiel, which was a diminutive form of the name Szczyglo (meaning cautious or careful), and over time became a surname. Over the centuries, this surname has been spelled in various ways due to differences in transliteration and local dialects, including Szczygiełski, Szczygielski, Szczehylski, and others. Today, it is predominantly found among Polish-speaking communities around the world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Szczygielski

The surname Szczygielski is primarily found in Poland, where it originated and is most commonly distributed. It is a regional name from the historical Mazovia region, particularly concentrated in the Mazowieckie, Lublin, and Podlaskie voivodeships. Smaller concentrations of individuals bearing this surname can also be found in other Polish regions as well as in immigrant communities in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, and France, primarily due to migration from Poland in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Szczygielski

The surname Szczygielski exhibits several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration, regional dialects, and time periods. Here are some of the common versions:

1. Szcygielski
2. Schciagielski
3. Szcigielski
4. Schciagielskie
5. Szczygiełski
6. Schciagielsky
7. Szczegielski
8. Schciagielskyj
9. Szczygielskij
10. Szcygiełski (in Polish orthography reform)

These variations may arise from minor changes in the pronunciation or spelling of the name over time, as well as differences in how names were transcribed when being translated or recorded in different languages or scripts.

Famous people with the last name Szczygielski

Notable individuals with the surname Szczygielski include:

1. Maciej Szczygielski (born 1966), a Polish poet and essayist, known for his work "Wstęp do teorii ciała" (2007) and translations of English-language literature.

2. Michał Szczygielski (born 1987), a Polish biathlete who competed in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

3. Joanna Szczygielska (born 1986), a Polish actress and singer, best known for her roles in television series such as "Na Wspólnej" and "Barwy szczęścia".

4. Stanisław Szczygielski (1903-1975), a Polish architect and urban planner who worked on the reconstruction of Warsaw after World War II. He is also known for his contributions to the development of modernist architecture in Poland.

Genealogical research on the last name Szczygielski

The surname Szczygielski originates from Poland and is associated with the region of Masovia, particularly the towns of Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki and Płock. It is derived from the occupational name "sztygiel" or "szczygieł," meaning a thatcher or roofer in Old Polish. Over time, variations such as Szczygiełski, Szcziegielski, Schziegielski, and Schciiegelski emerged due to spelling inconsistencies during the migration period. The family may have migrated to other countries as a result of historical events like the Partitions of Poland in the late 18th century or the search for better economic opportunities in the New World. Researching Szczygielski ancestors can lead to an exploration of Polish history, particularly the struggles and migrations of the Polish population during turbulent periods in Eastern Europe's past.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "szczygielski"
• 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 : 24 July 2025

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