Surname Lewak - Meaning and Origin
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Lewak: What does the surname Lewak mean?
The last name Lewak is likely of Polish origin and derived from the Polish word "lewak" meaning "left-handed". It is thought to have been used as a nickname, originally bestowed upon someone who had a natural left-handedness, or who had a preference for using the left hand. Over time, it has become a family name that is most popular in Poland, although it is not uncommon elsewhere.
Lewak has also been rendered as Lewack and Lewick, but the three surnames all have the same root. People with the Lewak surname most commonly have occupations such as innkeeper, farm worker, baker or miller. This is likely because of its popularity in Poland's rural areas.
The name Lewak is not overly common and is associated mainly with Poland and perhaps parts of Eastern Europe. It suggests someone who is left-handed, creative, and has a skill set that is suited for manual labor. In the modern era, it has become more common to find people with the Lewak surname engaged in administrative or professional roles.
Order DNA origin analysisLewak: Where does the name Lewak come from?
The last name Lewak is most commonly found today among members of Eastern European populations, specifically those originating in countries from the former Soviet Union. Lewaks are commonly Jewish, although there are also a few Polish Catholics of this name.
In the United States, the largest populations of people with the last name Lewak can be found in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and California. In the United Kingdom, small numbers of the surname Lewak can be found in London, Edinburgh, and Manchester.
Recent records show that nearly half (48.5%) of all Lewaks in the United States are living in the state of New York. It is believed that the surname originates from Poland, where it is still in use today. Other records suggest that the surname was adopted by some European Jews during the 19th century as a way to assimilate more easily.
Today, Lewaks are believed to have descended from one of two family lines; one coming from the eastern European country of Galicia, and the other from a town in western Poland called Lwów. Records indicate that the Lewak surname was first carried by a rabbi from Poland who was given the name 'Lwak' in the 15th century.
There is no single country that is home to a significant population of people named Lewak, indicating the name has spread and is found in many different countries today.
Variations of the surname Lewak
The surname Lewak is a Polish-Ashkenazi Jewish name. It is a patronymic name derived from the personal name LEW, the stem of which is LEWA, which means 'lion'. It is also spelled Lewack, Lewacki, Lewakowski, Lewakow, Lewik, Levik, Levack, Levacki, Levakowski, Levakow, and Levik.
In Poland and the countries that were once part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the name Lewak is quite common. The surname is most likely derived from the Silesian-Polish word 'Lewa' which means 'Left'. This could refer to a person living on the left bank of a river or being on the left hand side of a path when walking from one place to another.
In Germany, the spelling of the surname Lewak is often changed to Lewack. This is due to the German word 'Rechts' meaning 'Right'. In the Netherlands, the same surname is often found spelled as 'Levick'.
Lewak is also found as an Americanized surname, where the spelling has been changed to Levine. This is due to the Levite tribe in judaism, from which the first known Levites descended.
In the past there have been variations of the name Lewak as well. Lewakowicz is an example of a variation of Lewak that is specific to certain parts of Poland. There is also the variant Lewic which is also found mainly in certain areas of Poland.
The spelling of the surname Lewak varies wildly and depends on which part of the world it is being used in. Nevertheless, the main origin of the surname remains the same.
Famous people with the name Lewak
- Paul Lewak: American cardiologist, professor of medicine, and managing editor whose research focuses on clinical trials, innovative devices, and preventive cardiology.
- Joshua Lewak: an education startup founder and entrepreneur who works in education technology.
- Paul A. Lewak: a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and the former chief of the Defense Logistics Agency's (DLA) Corporate Communications Division.
- Igor Lewak: a Ukrainian composer and pianist who is best known for his original instrumental piano works.
- Jacek Lewak: a Polish actor best known for his roles in the films "Tylko mnie kochaj" and "On The Other Side".
- Robert Lewak: a digital artist, director, and producer with experience in both film and television.
- Martin Lewak: a Czech film editor who has worked on numerous feature films, television series, and commercials.
- Artur Lewak: a Polish medical doctor and epidemiologist known for his research on infectious diseases and health promotion.
- Adam Lewak: an American television producer whose credits include the popular series "The Big Bang Theory" and "The Blacklist".
- Mariusz Lewak: a Polish composer known for his film and television scores and his classical compositions.