Piotrowski (Polish pronunciation: ; feminine: Piotrowska, plural: Piotrowscy) is a Polish surname derived from the masculine given name Piotr (Peter). The name, and its variations indicate a family's origin as being from a town, such as for instance Piotrów and Piotrowo, or a toponym (place name) deriving from a holding, manor or estate. Variants and related names include Piotrowicz, Piotrowiak, Piotrowsky, Pietrowski, Pietrkowski, Pietrowsky, and Pietrowiak.
This surname is mainly found in Poland and Russia and the former territories of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. It is particularly widespread in Poland, where it is the 19th most common surname, with 61,844 bearers in 2009.[1] Descendants of certain noble families, including that of a minor Tatar Knyaz that most likely had Naiman-Beg's youngest son, also bear the name or variations thereof. Comital and baronial branches exist as well. The earliest recorded usage of the surname can be traced back to the 11th century.
Various noble coats of arms have been associated with the Piotrowski family. The name has been associated with the Abdank, Belina, Ginwiłł, Gozdawa, Jastrzębiec, Junosza, Korwin, Kotwica, Leliwa, Lis, Nieczuja, Poraj, Prus, Przerowa, Rawa, Ślepowron, and Świnka coats of arms.
According to Polish heraldist Kasper Niesiecki (1682–1744), families bearing Piotr-derived surnames living in the region formerly known as Podlasie were often represented by the Gozdawa coat of arms. Notable members of this branch include Piotr Piotrowski, parliamentary representative in 1591, and Dr. Łukasz Piotrowski of the Academy of Cracow and author of Grammaticarum institutionum libros 4. Cracov. in 4to.
Families with these surnames living in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the area surrounding Drohiczyn bore the Junosza coat of arms. Some notable personalities who bore this coat of arms include: