All surnames

Polish surname

Nowak

Newcomer

Descriptive surname

From Polish "nowy" (new), the most common surname in Poland, originally for a new arrival in a village.

More Polish surnames

KowalskiWisniewskiWojcikKaminski

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Frequently asked questions

What does the surname Nowak mean?

Newcomer. From Polish "nowy" (new), the most common surname in Poland, originally for a new arrival in a village.

Is Nowak a common surname?

Nowak 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.

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