Surname Majewska - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Majewska: What does the surname Majewska mean?
Majewska is a surname of Polish origin, derived from the word "Majewski", which translates to “son of Maj”. The Maj root is derived from the Slavic god of seasonality and fertility, Javmieśioś. Thus, the surname indicates a person from or related to a clan whose original ancestor was named “Maj”. During the Middle Ages, when surnames were new, people would adopt such last names to tell others where they came from.
Majewska is now a common surnames in Poland, however on a global level it is not. It may still be present in other countries, although those people may have Polish roots. Majewska may also have evolved or be short for other surnames, such as Majewski, Majecki or Majszak.
The bearers of this name often come from rural areas or small towns. People with Majewska as their surname may take pride in their heritage, as it's traceable to the old world from many centuries ago. The traditional culture and customs of the Majewska surname still linger in many areas of rural Poland, adding to a sense of ancestral pride.
The Majewska surname may also bring to mind the famous Polish poet, Czesława Majewska. She wrote on the subject of Polish identity, peace, and security. Her work has been praised as having helped to keep the spirit of Poland alive during political turmoil in the country.
Overall, Majewska is a surname of significant Polish origin. It may unveil deep connections to ancestral roots, as well as evoke the spirit of a proud nation and its culture.
Order DNA origin analysisMajewska: Where does the name Majewska come from?
The last name Majewska (or Magierska) is a surname originating from the Slavic region of Eastern Europe. It is most common today in Poland and the other countries of the former Soviet Union. It is estimated that over 3 million people of Polish descent bear this last name throughout the world.
In Poland, the surname is most common around the cities of Krakow, Warszawa and Gdansk, the three major Polish cities known as the ‘Polish Triangle’. It is also found in many smaller villages and towns throughout the country.
The name Majewska is an occupational name, meaning people who worked in the trade of a specific profession. In Polish, the root word majew (pronounced majev) refers to a “maker or worker of metal objects” or a “smith”. It is also tied to families of millers and millwrights.
Outside of Eastern Europe, many people of Polish descent with the surname Majewska have emigrated to other countries, such as the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, and Germany. In the US, the name is most prevalent in states with large Polish-American populations, such as Illinois, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Michigan.
The surname Majewska is seen as a name of nobility, as it was often granted to those with special privileges and nobility titles during pre-war Poland. The name is still carried proudly by people today who are descendants of the original noble families.
Variations of the surname Majewska
The surname Majewska is of Polish origin and derives from the given name Majew or Majewski. Variants of this surname include Majewski, Majewsky, and Mazejka.
In Polish language, the letter 'w' is sometimes an alternate spelling of 'v' and the letter 'j' is sometimes an alternate spelling of 'i'. Thus, variants for the Majewska surname also include Majevska, Majevsky, Mazevska, and Mazevsky.
The Polish language also contains the element "-ska" which denotes the feminine gender. Thus, a woman with the Majewska surname may also spell her name as Mazejka, Majevska, Majevsky, Mazevska, or Mazevsky.
Additionally, during different periods of migrations or historical events, people changed their surnames to fit into different cultures or regions. Thus, variants of the surname Majewska could also be found as Majovski in some areas of the Balkans and Majerski in the Belarusian region.
Moreover, the surname Majewska has been found in many parts of the world, from England, to the Netherlands, to Eastern Europe. Therefore, it is likely that there could exist various other surnames with similar spellings encountered in different countries or regions.
Famous people with the name Majewska
- Ewa Majewska: Polish actress, known for her roles in such films as Zaklete rewiry and Night Train.
- Elżbieta Majewska: Polish pianist, composer and teacher.
- Tatiana Majewska: Polish athlete, swimmer and Paralympic gold medallist.
- Rafał Majewski: Polish football player, currently playing for Korona Kielce.
- Małgorzata Majewska: Polish swimmer, multiple winner of swimming competitions on a national level.
- Janina Majewska: Polish politician, activist and a long-time Member of Parliament.
- Agnieszka Majewska: Polish voice actress, best known for her work in animated films and TV series.
- Jacek Majewski: Director, screenwriter and producer of films and television series, winner of multiple awards.
- Aneta Majewska: Polish volleyball player, winner of the Polish Cup.
- Danuta Majewska: Polish actress, best known for appearing in films such as Letters to Santa and Oficerowie.