Surname Turkawka - Meaning and Origin

Turkawka: What does the surname Turkawka mean?

The last name Turkawka appears to be of Eastern European origin, possibly Polish or Ukrainian. In Polish "turkawka" is a term referring to a helmeted guineafowl, a type of bird known for its distinctive plumage. Naming in many cultures often reflect trades, geographic surroundings, or personal characteristics and could possibly be an occupational name for someone who raised or sold these birds. However, without more specific historical and geographic context, it's challenging to provide a definitive meaning. It's also important to note that many surnames have evolved over time and may have different meanings in different regions or countries. If you have this surname or are looking for detailed information, you may want to consider seeking out genealogical research or consulting with a specialist in Eastern European surnames.

Turkawka: Where does the name Turkawka come from?

The last name Turkawka is found most commonly in the United States and Canada, although there are also some occurrences in Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania. In the U.S. and Canada, the last name is most prominent in places with large Polish immigrant populations, such as Detroit, New York City, Chicago, Toronto, and Ottawa.

In the U.S., Turkawka is mainly distributed throughout the midwest and east coast. In the U.S. Census records from 2000, the last name was most common in Michigan, followed by Pennsylvania, New York, and Wisconsin.

In Canada, the last name is mainly found in Ontario and Quebec, although there is also a smaller presence in the western provinces. According to the Canada 2016 Census, the most common places for Turkawka are Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, and Vancouver.

The last name is likely derived from a combination of the two words "turk" and "wakka," which refer to at least four distinct places located in various parts of Poland. It is often assumed to be an occupational name, related to someone who lived in or near one of the four places mentioned above. Alternatively, due to the presence of the Turkawka name in parts of the Czech Republic and Slovakia, some researchers believe it may derive from the Hungarian name "Török," which can be translated to "Turk."

Whatever its origins, it is clear that the last name Turkawka is still relatively common in the United States and Canada today, drawing its roots from the many Polish families who settled there.

Variations of the surname Turkawka

Turkawka is a Polish surname derived from the name "Turkwa," which is a diminutive form of the Polish name "Turek." This unusual name is thought to have been derived from the Polish word "tur," which means "ungulate," such as a wild boar. This suggests that the surname Turkawka may have originally been derived from a particular ancestor who was known to have had an affinity for such animals.

Variations and spellings of the surname Turkawka include Turacka, Turak, Turka, Turkała, Turkai, Turke, Turkeviche, Turkov, Turkovo, Turkova, and Turkow. It is also known to appear in other Slavic countries, such as Ukraine, as Turkevych and Turkevytch.

Alternative surnames of the same origin include Turkal, Turkiel, Turkiewicz, Turkowiec, and Turkowiak. Other variations can be found in diminutive forms, such as Turkalak, Turkiewicz, Turkowicz, Turkowitsch, and Turkowicz. It is also known to appear in other languages, such as German, as Turck and Türk.

In general, surnames of the same origin can often be found to have many variations and spellings depending on the language, country of origin, and region that the initial ancestor is from. For illustrative purposes, the surname Turkawka is an excellent example of this phenomenon.

Famous people with the name Turkawka

• Vincent Turkawka: editorial cartoonist
• George Turkawka: prominent sculptor
• Joseph Turkawka: professional ice hockey player
• Albert Turkawka: former Canadian politician
• Donald Turkawka: writer and philosopher
• Peter Turkawka: architect and urban planner
• Philip Turkawka: actor, director and producer
• John Turkawka: Major League Baseball player
• Michelle Turkawka: ice skating champion
• Zak Turkawka: musician and entrepreneur

Other surnames

Turkawaka