Surname Masurkewitsch - Meaning and Origin

Masurkewitsch: What does the surname Masurkewitsch mean?

Masurkewitsch is a surname of Polish origin. The name is derived from the terms “mas” (which means “wolf”) and “kuraw” (which means “on a hill”) and thus it literally translates to “wolf on the hill.”

Masurkewitsch is quite an uncommon name, still found especially in Poland and Eastern Europe. Those who bear the name can trace their ancestry back to a proud and noble heritage, as wolf symbolism was historically associated with strength, eloquence, and courage. Though the exact origins of the surname are unclear, some believe it to have first been bestowed upon an ancestor who was seen as a heroic leader of his village.

The meaning of the surname is certainly an intriguing one, and one which reflects the resilience and honour of its original bearers. It has also been described as an enduring reminder of the wisdom and strength of our ancestors, which can still be found in the generations to come.

For today’s Masurkewitschs, the name serves as a reminder of the courage of their forebears, and a sign of inspiration to pass on these values and adhere to them on their own path.

Masurkewitsch: Where does the name Masurkewitsch come from?

The last name Masurkewitsch is primarily found in Belarus and Lithuania today. It's believed to have originated from a location in the Southern part of Belarus known as Mazurkeviche, which is located in the Brest region of the country. In Lithuanian, Masurkevitch is spelled as Markevicius.

In Belarus, this surname is most common in Brest, Baranovichi, and Minsk districts. In Lithuania, Markevicius is one of the most common surnames, with a 2004 report indicating that out of every thousand Lithuanian citizens, 12 bore this name.

A number of Masurkevichs are also found in the United States, particularly the Midwest and East Coast regions. Census records compiled from 1900-1910 show that many Belarusians had immigrated to the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, taking their surnames with them.

Within Belarus, Masurkevich is a fairly common name, and the family is connected by a shared history and culture. Many of the Masurkevichs today trace their heritage back to Belarusian nobility, although some families might have traveled from other regions.

The last name Masurkewitzch is also popular in Russia, with many variations of its spelling, such as Markevich and Marckevich. Altogether, this last name is most prevalent in Belarus, Lithuania, and Russia, but is also found in the United States, as well as other countries with a Belarusian or Lithuanian diaspora.

Variations of the surname Masurkewitsch

Masurkewitsch is a surname of Slovakian origin, but which is also present in Czechoslovakia, the United States and Canada. It is derived from the word 'masur', which means 'walnut' in Slovak.

The main variants, spellings and other surnames of the same origin are Masurkovsky, Masurkowsky and Masurkowski. Although these three spellings are sometimes used interchangeably, there are small differences between them. Masurkovsky is the most common variant, and it has a patronymic structure which often means that the descendants take this variant as their own. Masurkowsky is a phonetic variant, slightly different to the others and is primarily used in the United States as the original spelling was changed when the family emigrated. Masurkowski is another variant, and is used comparatively little by families of the same origin.

In some cases, the surname has also been Germanised to Masurkewitsch. This is not a variant in itself, but rather emphasises the German heritage of the family.

There are also other surnames with the same origin, but with slight differences in spelling. These include Mazurkewich, Mazurkiewicz, Masurki, Marzurkiwsh, Masorek and Masarkewych. All these also have the same origin, and may be used by the descendants of Masurkewitsch families.

Famous people with the name Masurkewitsch

• Dmitri Masurkewitsch: Ukrainian actor/director
• Alexander Masurkewitsch: Russian physician and researcher
• Sonia Masurkewitsch: Ukrainian artist
• Jan Masurkewitsch: Polish general, politician, ambassador and lawyer
• Eugen Masurkewitsch: Austrian politician
• Nina Masurkewitsch: German film and television actress
• Olav Masurkewitsch: Norwegian actor
• Varya Masurkewitsch: Russian artist
• Michał Masurkewitsch: Polish footballer
• Dmitriy Masurkewitsch: Ukrainian diplomat

Other surnames

Masurkewitz