The surname Ziolek is of Polish origin. It is derived from a diminutive form of the given name Jan (John) and is related to the occupational name Zielonka, meaning "greensmith" or "one who sells green plants." The -ek ending indicates a diminutive form, making Ziolek a nickname referring to someone who was small, youthful, or endearing in some way.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Ziolek
The meaning and origin of the last name Ziolek
The surname Ziolek is of Polish origin, derived from the occupational name Młynarz (meaning miller) or from the topographic name Młynarz (from młyn, meaning mill), indicating someone who worked at a mill or lived near one. Over time, variations in spelling and pronunciation have resulted in numerous spellings of this surname, including Ziolek, Ziolkowski, Ziolkowska, and others. The name is most common in Poland and among Polish diaspora communities around the world.
Geographical distribution of the last name Ziolek
The last name Ziolek is predominantly of Polish origin and has a significant concentration within Poland, particularly in regions such as Lower Silesia, Greater Poland, and Masovia, which are historically known for their dense Polish populations. However, due to migration and diaspora, the surname can also be found among Polish communities in various countries, notably the United States, Canada, Australia, and Germany. In the U.S., the highest concentrations of the Ziolek surname are primarily located in states with a large Polish-American population, such as Illinois, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York, and Wisconsin.
Variants and spellings of the last name Ziolek
The surname Ziolek can appear in various spellings and forms, reflecting differences in regional pronunciation and transcription over time. Some common variations include: Ziolkowski, Ziolecki, Ziolkowicz, Zielkowski, Zielkewicz, Ziółek, Ziółkowski, Ziołkowski, Ziółkiewicz, and Zielke. These variations can arise from factors such as spelling errors, assimilation into a new language, or changes in the spelling of names during different historical periods. Despite these differences, all of these surnames share a common origin, derived from Polish words meaning "of the willows" or "from the willow tree."
Famous people with the last name Ziolek
Notable individuals with the surname Ziolek include:
1. Mikołaj Ziółek (born 1973), a Polish footballer who played as a goalkeeper, notably for Legia Warsaw and FC København, and represented Poland at international level.
2. Piotr Ziolek (born 1980), a Polish chess grandmaster who won the European Under-16 Championship in 1996 and was part of Poland's gold medal-winning team at the 2001 World Team Chess Championship.
3. Ewa Ziółkowska-Ziolek (born 1954), a Polish-American mathematician who works in the field of combinatorics, specifically on graph theory and Ramsey theory. She is a professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
4. Krzysztof Ziolek (born 1982), a Polish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Ruch Chorzów in the Ekstraklasa. He has also represented Poland at various youth levels.
Genealogical research on the last name Ziolek
The surname Ziolek originates from Poland and is derived from the occupational name "Zielonka," meaning "greenkeeper" or "gardener." Variations of the name include Zielecki, Zielonka, and Ziółek. Early records show that the name was most prominent in the regions of Silesia and Lesser Poland. The earliest known record of the name dates back to 1398 when a certain Jacobus Zielonka was mentioned in documents from Krakow, Poland. Over time, members of the Ziolek family migrated to other parts of Europe, including Germany and Austria, as well as to North America, particularly the United States and Canada, starting in the 19th century. The majority of modern-day Zioleks descend from these early immigrant families.
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 :
Share the origin of your last name with your friends
The last name Ziolkowski is of Polish origin. It is a surname derived from the Polish word "ziółko", meaning "herb" or "leaf". It is a common surname in Poland and is often assoc...
The surname Ziomek is of Polish origin. It is derived from various place names in Poland, such as Ziomki, a village in Podlaskie Voivodeship, or Ziemki, a village in Masovian Voivo...
The surname Zionnike is likely of Slavic origin, specifically from the region of Poland or Russia. The name may be a variation or combination of existing Slavic surnames, possibly ...
The last name Zioua is of Arabic origin, specifically from the Maghreb region in North Africa. It is a common surname among Arabic-speaking populations in countries such as Morocco...
The last name Zioud is of Arabic origin. It is a common surname in North Africa, particularly in countries such as Algeria and Tunisia. The name likely has its roots in the Arabic ...
The surname Ziour is of Armenian origin. It is derived from the Armenian word "ziour," which means "brave" or "courageous." The surname likely originated as a nickname for someone ...
The last name "Ziout" is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the word "ziyad," meaning increase or growth. The name may have originally referred to someone who was prosperous or s...
