Wojciechowski

Wojciechowski is the 16th most common surname in Poland (66,879 people in 2009) and the third most common in Greater Poland (12,928). It derives from the Polish given name Wojciech, which itself is composed of Slavic elements vojĭ “warrior, soldier” and utěxa “solace, comfort, joy.” Thus, Wojciechowski means “son of Wojciech,” fitting the typical -owski suffix used to form patronymic or toponymic surnames. Over 50% of Poles with this surname reside in Greater Poland, Mazovia, and Kujawy.

Origin and History

The root of Wojciechowski is the medieval Slavic name Wojciech, best known through Saint Wojciech (also called Vojtěch in Czech and Adalbert in German), a Bohemian missionary martyred in the 10th century. He is a patron saint of Poland, Bohemia, and Prussia.

Female and Cognate Forms

The feminine form is Wojciechowska ([vɔjt͡ɕɛˈxɔfska]), and the plural form is Wojciechowscy. Cognates include Czech Vojtěchovský, Belarusian Вайцяхоўскі, Russian Войтеховский (Voytsekhovsky), and Lithuanian Vaičekauskas. These reflect the adaptation of the name across Slavic languages.

Notable People

Notable bearers include Polish chess master Antoni Wojciechowski (1905–1938), cyclist Dariusz Wojciechowski (born 1968), and American sportswriter Gene Wojciechowski. Among non-Poles, American baseball pitcher Asher Wojciechowski (born 1988), wrestler Greg Wojciechowski (born 1951), and novelist Maia Wojciechowska (1927–2002, Polish-American) have the name. John Wojciechowski is also a known trumpeter.

• Meaning: Derived from the given name Wojciech, meaning “warrior’s solace.”
• Origin: Polish patronymic surname.
• Type: Surname.
• Usage regions: Poland (especially Greater Poland, Mazovia, Kujawy).