Bukowski

Bukowski is a Polish surname originally denoted someone who came from a place called Bukowo or Bukowiec, which derive from Polish buk meaning "beech". The name is thus toponymic, referring to a location characterized by beech trees.

Notable Bearers

The most famous bearer of the surname is Henry Charles Bukowski (1920–1994), known as Charles Bukowski, a German-American poet, novelist, and short story writer. Born Heinrich Karl Bukowski in Germany, he moved to the United States as a child and became associated with the gritty, realist literary scene of Los Angeles. His work often focused on the lives of poor Americans, alcoholism, relationships, and the drudgery of work. Bukowski's column Notes of a Dirty Old Man in the underground newspaper Open City drew the attention of the FBI, which kept a file on him. He published over sixty books during his career, including his collection Poems Written.

Variant Forms

Related names include the feminine form Bukowska and the variant Bukoski. These share the same etymological root.

• Meaning: From a place named for beech trees
• Origin: Polish
• Type: Toponymic surname
• Usage: Poland and among Polish diaspora