Find out how popular the last name Wilkowski is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Wilkowski.

Wilkowski, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Wilkowski surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wilkowski in America

Wilkowski is the 37391st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wilkowski surname appeared 596 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Wilkowski.

We can also compare 2010 data for Wilkowski to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Wilkowski

The surname Wilkowski finds its origins in Poland, a country with rich historical and linguistic traditions. This name first appeared in records from the medieval period, specifically from regions in central and eastern Poland. The name is believed to be derived from the word "wilk," which means "wolf" in Polish. The suffix "-owski" often denotes a place of origin or can indicate "belonging to" in Slavic naming conventions. This implies that the original bearers of the surname might have come from a place associated with wolves, or perhaps a village known for its wolf population.

Wilkowski is linked to several places in Poland, such as Wilków or Wilkowo, which were settlements dating back to medieval times. These locations were likely named for the abundance of wolves, with families adopting the name to signify their place of origin. Records from the 15th century show the presence of the Wilkowski name, as Polish nobility adopted surnames that often referred to their lands or estates.

One early reference to the Wilkowski name can be found in a 1526 document where Jan Wilkowski was recorded as a landowner in the Masovian Voivodeship. The spelling and documentation of surnames in Poland displayed variations, with forms like Wilkowicz or Wilkovsky occasionally appearing in records, though Wilkowski became the standard form.

A notable historical figure bearing the Wilkowski surname is Piotr Wilkowski, born in 1567 and recorded in military documents from the late 16th century. He was an officer in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth's army, which fought in numerous campaigns during this era.

In the 17th century, Kazimierz Wilkowski, born in 1623, was documented as a scholar and member of the Polish intelligentsia, contributing numerous manuscripts and academic pieces to the University of Krakow library. His works have been preserved and reflect the intellectual heritage of the era.

Moving into the 18th century, Stanisław Wilkowski, born in 1702 and passed in 1755, served as a prominent cleric within the Roman Catholic Church in Poland. He was notably involved in numerous church reforms during his lifetime and held significant sway in ecclesiastical matters.

In the 19th century, the surname continued to be prominent with individuals like Antoni Wilkowski (1810–1873), who was known as a participant in the November Uprising of 1830–1831 against the Russian Empire. His leadership and dedication to Polish independence are remembered in various historical texts and documents.

Lastly, in the early 20th century, Aleksander Wilkowski (1883–1944) was noted as a cultural figure in Poland, particularly influencing theater and literature. His contributions are seen as a pivotal part of the artistic and cultural renaissance in pre-war Poland.

Throughout history, the Wilkowski surname has been associated with various roles, from nobility and scholars to military figures and cultural icons. Its origins and historical journey through Poland present a vivid picture of the legacy carried through generations.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wilkowski

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Wilkowski.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Wilkowski was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Wilkowski has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Wilkowski was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Wilkowski, please contact us.

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