All surnames

Polish surname

Kowalski

Blacksmith

Occupational surname

From Polish "kowal" (smith).

More Polish surnames

Give the Kowalski name a real family story

Build a family tree with everyone's actual names, photos and relationships. Free to start, no sign-up required.

Build your family tree

Free forever · No email required to start

Frequently asked questions

What does the surname Kowalski mean?

Blacksmith. From Polish "kowal" (smith).

Is Kowalski a common surname?

Kowalski is a Polish-origin surname. Popularity varies widely by country and region, and the same surname can be common in one place and rare in another.

Can two families with the same surname be unrelated?

Yes. Surnames, especially occupational and descriptive ones like this, were often adopted independently by many unrelated families who happened to share a trade, appearance, or location.

Is my search logged?

No account or personal details are required to look up a surname's meaning - this page is static reference content.