Andrzejewska

Etymology and Origin

Andrzejewska is a Polish surname, specifically the feminine form of Andrzejewski. The masculine form Andrzejewski is a toponymic surname derived from place names such as Andrzejewo, which themselves come from the given name Andrzej, the Polish form of Andrew. The ultimate root is the Greek name Andreas, from the word andreios meaning "manly" or "masculine." According to the New Testament, Andrew was one of the twelve apostles and the brother of Simon Peter, traditionally crucified on an X-shaped cross. The name Andrew became widespread in medieval times and is especially revered in Scotland, Russia, Greece, and Romania, where Saint Andrew is a patron.

Distribution and Variants

Andrzejewska is exclusively used in Polish-speaking regions, and as a feminine surname, it reflects the common Polish pattern of adding the suffix "-ska" to indicate female gender. In the early 1990s, there were 26,917 individuals bearing the Andrzejewski surname in Poland, and the feminine form Andrzejewska is similarly numerous. Variants of the surname include Andrzejewski and potentially diminutive forms like Andrzejak, though these are closely related. The name is highly typical of Polish toponymic surnames, linking families to specific hometowns.

Notable Bearers

Among notable figures with the surname Andrzejewska is Jadwiga Andrzejewska (1915–1977), a Polish actress active in the interwar and postwar eras. Other prominent individuals include Polish singer Pat Benatar (born Patricia Mae Andrzejewski), though her fame came outside Poland. In the broader Andrzejewski family, accomplishments span literature (Jerzy Andrzejewski), archaeology (Stanisław Andrzejewski), sociology (Stanisław Andrzejewski), and sports, demonstrating the surname's diverse reach.

• Meaning: Feminine form of Andrzejewski, ultimately meaning "manly"
• Origin: Polish toponymic surname
• Type: Feminine surname
• Usage: Poland