Surname Sowa - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
An In-Depth Exploration of the Surname Sowa Through iGENEA's Comprehensive DNA Test
The DNA test conducted at iGENEA enlightened me about the intricate histories tied to my surname, Sowa. By using Y-chromosomal and autosomal DNA tests, I was able to trace back to my ancestors in Eastern Europe and even found unexpected connections outside the region.
B. Sowa
read moreSowa: What does the surname Sowa mean?
The surname Sowa is of Slavic origin, derived from sowa which means 'owl.' The surname is an occupational name, derived from the profession of trappers and hunters of wild birds. It is a common name in many countries including Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Ukraine.
The occupational origins of the surname Sowa can be traced to the Middle Ages, when people would trap owls and other birds for food. It was a popular activity among the peoples of Central and Eastern Europe, believed to confer greater wealth and prosperity on the individual. The people who did this work were able to provide food for their families and not depend on others for their livelihoods.
The owl was also an important symbol in folk religion of the peoples of Central and Eastern Europe. It was believed to represent knowledge, strength, and protection. Owls were seen as messengers of the gods, and could even be used to bring good luck and fortune. For this reason, the people with this surname were often respected and revered in their respective communities.
Today, Sowa is a widely used surname in many Slavic countries. It is also sometimes used as a personal name or given to boys born in the days of the full moon.
Order DNA origin analysisSowa: Where does the name Sowa come from?
The surname Sowa is quite common throughout Central and Eastern Europe. It is most commonly found in Poland, although it can be seen in other countries such as Ukraine, Romania, Slovakia, Belarus, Czech Republic, Lithuania and Kazakhstan.
In Poland, the surname is most concentrated in the Mazovia region and in the cities of Kraków and Warsaw. According to the 2001 census, it was the rallies most common surname in the country at the time. More recently, in 2020, research conducted by Polska Baby Names revealed that Sowa was the seventeenth most popular surname in Poland.
The surname has arisen where members of a family have adopted the name of their occupation or trade. The word 'sowa' is derived from the Polish word 'sowa' which means 'owl'. Thus, the surname would have originally been adopted by a person who worked as an 'owl keeper'.
The surname is also found in German speaking countries, particularly in Austria and the Czech Republic. In the former, records indicate that it is the 9643rd most common surname. In the latter, it was the 784th most common surname in a study conducted in 2018.
In North America, Sowa is a moderately common surname among families of Polish descent. In the United States in particular, it ranks as the 4467th most common surname according to US Census Data in 2017.
Overall, the last name Sowa is most common in Central and Eastern Europe, but can also be found in other parts of the world with immigrant families from the region.
Variations of the surname Sowa
The surname Sowa is of Polish origin, meaning "dove" or "screamer". Variants and spellings of the name can be found throughout much of Eastern and Central Europe. In particular, the different variants and spellings of this name include Sówka in Polish, Sowka in Czech, Souke in Belarusian, Soukah in Ukrainian, and Sówová in Slovak. Other variants and spellings of this surname include Suka, Snuka, Suková, Suki, Sucko, Sikov, and Siwka.
The surname Sowa is closely related to the surnames Suka, Suki, Siwka, and Sikov. While these names all likely originated from the same root word, the spelling and pronunciation of these surnames has changed over time as people migrated and settled in different parts of Eastern and Central Europe. Other variants and spellings of the name can be found in countries such as Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Russia.
The surname Sowa is also related to surnames such as Suková, Snuka, and Souka, which are derived from the Czech word for "dove". The spelling and pronunciation of these surnames also likely changed over time as families migrated and settled in different parts of Eastern and Central Europe.
The surname Sowa is also related to surnames such as Sogo, Sek, Simko, Szenk, and Sina. These names all originated from the same root word, and likely stemmed from Slovenian, Slovenian, Bosnian, Serbian, Croatian, and Montenegrin language sources.
In conclusion, the surname Sowa has many different variants and spellings, all of which can be connected to the same root word meaning "dove". Variants and spellings of the name are found throughout Eastern and Central Europe, and are related to other surnames such as Suka, Suki, Siwka, Sikov, Suková, Snuka, Souka, Sogo, Sek, Simko, Szenk, and Sina.
Famous people with the name Sowa
- Ilona Sowa: Polish actress
- Yūichirō Sowa: former Japanese baseball player
- Paulina Sowa: Polish TV presenter
- Malcolm Sowa: British former professional footballer
- Dan Sowa: American baseball player
- Tosia Sowa: Polish writer and researcher
- Vic Sowa: former American professional basketball player
- Takashi Sowa: Japanese Paralympic athlete
- Wolfgang Sowa: Austrian sculptor
- Kaori Sowa: Japanese professional baseball player