NomOrigine Background

Last Name Tomaszewski

What is the origin of the last name Tomaszewski?

The surname Tomaszewski is a Polish patronymic surname derived from the given name Tomasz (Thomas in English). This surname evolved as a hereditary name for descendants of an individual named Tomasz. In Poland, patronymic names were formed by adding a suffix -owicz or -iewicz to the father's given name. In this case, Tomaszewski means "son of Tomasz." The roots of the name can be traced back to medieval Poland.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Tomaszewski

The meaning and origin of the last name Tomaszewski

The surname Tomaszewski is of Polish origin, derived from a geographical location or toponymy. The name is formed by combining two elements: "Tomasz" (a variant of Thomas, which means twin in Aramaic) and "-ewski", a common suffix denoting the son or descendant of a person with the first component as a nickname or occupational name. Thus, Tomaszewski originally referred to someone who lived near a place named after the personal name Tomasz, or possibly a man named Thomas who had the occupation or nickname associated with that location. Over time, it has become a common Polish surname and has been adopted by individuals of Polish descent across various parts of the world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Tomaszewski

The surname Tomaszewski is predominantly found in Poland and among Polish diaspora communities around the world. It originates from the region of Masovia, specifically from the town of Tomaszów Mazowiecki, where it was first recorded during the late Middle Ages. Over time, due to migration and population movement, the name has spread beyond Poland's borders. Significant populations bearing this surname can be found in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Germany, among others. In these countries, Tomaszewski is often a testament to the historical Polish immigration waves that occurred in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Tomaszewski

The surname Tomaszewski has several variations and spellings due to transliteration and regional differences over time. Some common variants include Thomaszewski, Thomazewski, Tumashevsky (Russian), Tomaszowski, and Tumaszewski. It originates from a Polish-language name derived from the personal name Tomasz combined with the diminutive suffix -ewski, meaning "son of Tomasz." The name has been recorded in various historical documents dating back to the late Middle Ages in Poland.

Famous people with the last name Tomaszewski

Notable individuals with the surname Tomaszewski include:

1. Władysław Tomaszewski (born 1937), a Polish poet and writer, awarded the Kościelecki Award and the Order of Polonia Restituta.

2. Jerzy Tomaszewski (1928-2014), a Polish film director known for his documentary works, including "The Wedding" (1973) which won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.

3. Agnieszka Tomaszewska (born 1965), a Polish actress who has appeared in numerous films and television series, winning multiple awards for her roles.

4. Rafał Tomaszewski (born 1983), a Polish professional basketball player who has played for various clubs in Europe.

5. Marek Tomaszewski (born 1960), a Polish composer and music producer, known for his work in film scores and television series soundtracks.

These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields in Poland and internationally.

Genealogical research on the last name Tomaszewski

The surname Tomaszewski originates from Poland and is a patronymic derived from the given name Tomasz, a variant of Thomas. It is most common in regions where Poles have settled, particularly in Poland, Belarus, Lithuania, Ukraine, and the United States. In Poland, the name Tomaszewski can be traced back to the Middle Ages, with early recorded instances of the name appearing in the 14th century. The earliest known bearers of the name include Jakub Tomaszewski from Siedlce (c. 1350) and Piotr Tomaszewski from Kalisz (c. 1380). In the 16th century, many Tomaszewskis migrated to Eastern Europe due to political upheavals in Poland. The name later spread globally as a result of immigration waves during the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly to the United States and Canada. Notable individuals with the surname include Polish footballer Tomaszewski Władysław (1946-2017), and American actor Andrew Tomaszewski (b. 1983).

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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 : 28 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Tom (Last name)

surnames > tom

The surname Tom has multiple origins across different cultures. In some cases, it can be a short form of names like Thomas, which is derived from the Aramaic name "Toma," meaning t...

Tom breezy (Last name)

surnames > tom-breezy

The surname "Tom Breezy" has an English origin. "Tom" is a given name of English origin, derived from the Aramaic name "Ta'oma," meaning "twin." "Breezy" is a surname derived from ...

Tom ho (Last name)

surnames > tom-ho

The last name "Tom Ho" is of Chinese origin. "Tom" is a common surname in China, while "Ho" can also be a surname in Chinese culture.

Tom kuruvilla (Last name)

surnames > tom-kuruvilla

The last name "Tom Kuruvilla" is of Indian origin. The surname "Tom" is a common Indian surname, while "Kuruvilla" is a Malayalam Christian surname originating from the word "Kurie...

Tom mathew (Last name)

surnames > tom-mathew

The last name "Mathew" originates from the Hebrew name "Matityahu," meaning "gift of God." It is derived from the first name Matthew, which was ultimately derived from the Hebrew n...

Tom nagu (Last name)

surnames > tom-nagu

The surname "Tom Nagu" is of Japanese origin. It is derived from the Japanese words "tom" meaning "friend" and "nagu" meaning "long-lasting" or "enduring."

Tom puthothu (Last name)

surnames > tom-puthothu

The last name "Tom Puthothu" is of Indian origin. It is a combination of the Malayalam word "tom" which means "son of", and "Puthothu" which is a common family name in Kerala, a st...

Tom vayalumkal (Last name)

surnames > tom-vayalumkal

The last name "Vayalumkal" is of Indian origin, specifically from the state of Kerala. It is derived from the Malayalam language and likely refers to a person hailing from a place ...

Tomacruz (Last name)

surnames > tomacruz

The surname "Tomacruz" is of Spanish origin. It is believed to be derived from the combination of the words "toma" meaning "take" or "seize" and "cruz" meaning "cross". This sugges...

Tomadín (Last name)

surnames > tomadin

The name Tomadin has Italian origin. It is a toponymic surname that refers to the town of Tomadio in the region of Friuli-Venecia Julia, in northern Italy.

Tomadon (Last name)

surnames > tomadon

The last name "Tomadon" does not have a widely known origin or meaning. It is possible that it could be a rare surname or a variant spelling of a more common surname. Further resea...

Tomagcao (Last name)

surnames > tomagcao

The surname Tomagcao is of Filipino origin. It is believed to have come from the Tagalog or Visayan languages in the Philippines. The exact meaning or history of the surname may va...

Tomaino (Last name)

surnames > tomaino

The surname Tomaino is of Italian origin. It is derived from the given name Tommaso (Thomas) and is a variation of the Italian surnames Tomasi, Tomasone, or Tomasoni. These names a...

Tomaizah (Last name)

surnames > tomaizah

The last name Tomaizah is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the given name Tomaizah, which was a traditional Arabic name.

Tomaizi (Last name)

surnames > tomaizi

The surname Tomaizi is of Italian origin. It is derived from the personal name Tommaso, which is the Italian form of the name Thomas. The name Thomas comes from the Aramaic name ת...