Surname Wasilewsky - Meaning and Origin
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Wasilewsky: What does the surname Wasilewsky mean?
The last name Wasilewsky (also spelled Wasiłewsky, Wasilewski, or Wasiliewski) is a Polish and Ukrainian surname. Historically, it comes from the noble Polish family of Wasilewski, and has been adopted by families across Eastern Europe.
Meaning-wise, the last name Wasilewsky (or variations) is believed to originate from the old Polish word ‘wasyl’, which means ‘to rule’ or ‘to govern’. The addition of -ewsky suggests a patronymic form, or a name based on the name of a person’s father or ancestor. This would then mean that the overall interpretation behind Wasilewsky could be something along the lines of ‘son of he who rules’ or ‘descendant of a ruler’.
Given the relatively aristocratic origins behind the Wasilewsky name, it isn’t a surprise that many individuals with this surname have gone on to achieve great success. Stanisław Wasilewski was a famed 19th century Polish poet and dramatist, whilst Teofil Wasilewski was a Ukrainian author and social activist.
The Wasilewsky name has certainly stood the test of time and continues to be seen in many countries from Poland to the United States. It’s seen to be full of strength and determination, with its roots in the idea of ruling and governing. As a result, it’s certainly an inspiring name to bear.
Order DNA origin analysisWasilewsky: Where does the name Wasilewsky come from?
The last name Wasilewsky is most common today in Poland, Belarus and other nearby countries in Eastern Europe. It is a variant of the main surname Wasiliewski. The Wasilewsky surname is most often found among the Polish- speaking population, such as those who live in western Ukraine, Belarus, and Lithuania.
In the past, the Wasilewsky family can be traced as far back as the year 1481, when Johannes Walterus wasislevius had become a priest in the small town of Wereslewo in today’s Poland. By the end of the 16th century, the Wasilewsky family already held much of the land and noble titles in the region, and its members had become very influential, both politically and culturally.
In the 19th and 20th century, waves of migration from Eastern Europe to North America and other countries saw a large number of Wasilewskys spread across the globe. Today, the Wasilewsky surname is very common among the Polish diaspora, and it can also be found in other countries around the world, including Canada, the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, and Israel.
In Poland, the last name Wasilewsky is still quite popular today, with many families still bearing the surname and sharing the family’s long and proud history.
Variations of the surname Wasilewsky
The surname Wasilewsky is of Polish origin and can be written with various spelling variations. Common variants are Wasilewski, Wasilevski, Wasylkowski, Wasylowska, Wasylowski, Vashilevski, Vasilievskiy, Vasilevsky, Vasil’evski, Wasyliw, Wasilewsky, Wasylewski, Wasiliewski, Wasiliewsky, and Wazulewsky.
The multiple spellings of the surname Wasilewsky often occurred when a scribe or church official would record a person’s name, but spelled it phonetically. The same person, often times from different parts of a country, could be spelled differently. People also changed their surname over time when they were seeking a better life or changed it due to political and religious influences.
The surname Wasilewsky is a patronymic surname, meaning it was originally derived from the first name of the father of the original bearer. The root name of the surname Wasilewsky is Wasyl which derives from the Polish words “was” meaning “to be” and “wil” meaning “power” or “will” combined with the suffix “ski” denoting a “place of” or a “person from”. It was a common Slavic practice to combine these two elements to create a patronymic nickname to describe a son of a powerful man or a place with powerful influence.
The surname Wasilewsky is found today throughout Europe, as well as many parts of the world as quite a few of its bearers have emigrated to various countries. Common locations you will find bearers of this surname are Poland, Ukraine, Germany, Belarus, Russia, the United States, and Canada.
Famous people with the name Wasilewsky
- Amalie Wasilewsky (German journalist)
- Maurice Wasilewsky (Canadian war cryptographer)
- Maria Wasilewski (Polish freedom fighter)
- Hubert Wasilewsky (Belarusian artist)
- Steve Wasilewsky (Canadian actor)
- Mariusz Wasilewsky (Polish ski jumper)
- Anastasia Wasilewsky (Canadian singer-songwriter)
- John Wasilewsky (Russian-American musician)
- Bill Wasilewsky (American ice hockey player)
- Paul Wasilewsky (Lithuanian-American inventor)