Wójcik Explained

Wójcik, Wojczik, Wojczyk, Wojszyk (also variants of phonetic spelling: Woicik, Woycik, Woyczik, Woytik, etc.) is one of the oldest Polish surnames, and the fourth most common in Poland (100,064 in 2009).[1] [2] Archaic feminine forms are derived by adding suffixes: -owa for married woman and -ówna for maiden name.

There are several suggested origins of the surname: diminutive from the occupation of wójt or from the given name Wojciech. It may also be a nickname by the bird wójcik (greenish warbler).[3]

Feminine forms are Wójcik, Wójcikówna, Wójcikowa. Over the centuries, from many dialects arose multiple spellings for the Wójcik surname, including Woichik, Wojczyk, Woyzeck, Wojszyk, Wujcik, etc.

History

Early record of the Wójcik surname may be found in the Chronicles of Little Poland (13th century). The knight Wójcik was a companion of King Wladyslaw of Poland and a member of his bodyguard. According to medieval Łęczyca Court Files (14th century), in 1395, Michno Wójcik of Wójciki pursued legal action against City of Łęczyca to take back part of his estate that was illegally annexed during his absence.

Noble families named Wójcik bear different coats of arms:

However, most families bearing the surnames Wójcik, Wójczyk, Wojszik, etc. (c. 90%) are derived from peasantry or burghers, as a result of popular adoptions of this surname between the 17th and 19th centuries. These families derived their surname from the named office of wójt or the first name Wojciech: son of Wojciech is also Wojcik.[3]

People

Wójcik

Wujcik

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Zawadzki, Jarosław Maciej . 1000 najpopularniejszych nazwisk w Polsce (1000 of the most popular names in Poland) . Świat Książki . 2002 . 83-7311-265-0. pl.
  2. [Ministry of Interior (Poland)]
  3. http://www.genezanazwisk.pl/content/w%C3%B3jcik WÓJCIK