Surname Rzehorz - Meaning and Origin

Rzehorz: What does the surname Rzehorz mean?

The last name Rzehorz is of Polish origin, originally derived from the name Rzehowski. The surname Rzehowski itself is derived from the term “rzeha”, meaning “eredity” in old Polish. Specifically, it refers to a type of hereditary forestry official under the Baltic rulers of the 15th and 16th centuries.

The surname Rzehorz is thought to be an altered form of the name Rzehowski, likely because of mis-spellings, regional variations or unexpected changes to the surname during early emigration records.

Today, the surname Rzehorz is most common in the United States, Canada, and Poland. In the United States, the surname is used by people with Polish and German ancestry, most likely from the UK or northern Poland.

Overall, the surname Rzehorz is a reminder of those who faced difficulty and hardship during their emigration journey. It is a reference to the family’s original home, with a strong connection to a heritage of hereditary forestry officials, and showcases the perseverance of those who chose to start anew in a new land.

Rzehorz: Where does the name Rzehorz come from?

The last name Rzehorz is primarily associated with Poland today. The surname likely originated in the northern part of the country, due to its lower concentration there. Today, the last name is scattered throughout different regions of Poland, but is most commonly found in the Lesser Poland and Mazovia voivodeships.

Rzehorz is a very rare last name, with only approximately 1,000 people with the name currently living in Poland. Due to political and socio-economic pressures over the years, numerous Poles bearing the name emigrated outside of their native country, primarily in the early 20th century. As a result, the name can be found in certain areas of the United States, Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom, primarily in Polish diaspora communities. Although the exact number of people with the name living in these countries is unknown, it is likely in the hundreds.

The literal meaning of the surname Rzehorz is ‘the horseman’, which may arise from the profession of the original person who took the name. The Polish language is also known for its suffixes, which are used to denote gender. As a result, the male version of the name is Rzehora, and the female version is Rzehorowa.

Overall, the last name Rzehorz is most prominently associated with Poland today, most notably in the Lesser Poland and Mazovia voivodeships. However, it also can be found overseas, in the US, Canada, Germany, and the UK, among other countries. The literal meaning of the name is ‘the horseman’, and the male and female versions of the name are Rzehora and Rzehorowa, respectively.

Variations of the surname Rzehorz

The surname Rzehorz is commonly spelt and pronounced as Zyrhorz or Rzehorsz, although alternative spellings such as Zahorz and Zuhorsz have been observed.

The earliest origins of the Rzehorz surname can be traced back to the Polish region of Cieszyn Silesia, where the name derives from the Latin word 'sestria' meaning 'sixth', which was bestowed upon its bearers as they were the sixth born in their family. Over time, the name has mutated into numerous variants and spellings, whilst still being recognisable and traceable.

Amongst the variants of the Rzehorz surname, some of the more commonly occurring spellings include:

• Zahorz

• Zuhorsz

• Zehorsz

• Zyrhorz

• Rzehorsz

• Rihods

• Reshors

• Rozhowicz

• Rozhoven

• Rzehorska

In addition, Rzehorz ancestors can sometimes be found carrying the surnames of Drzeworzelski, Drzeworzelska, Budzysz, Rzehorz-Burdzyński, Wawer, Zehuta and Wawreczka. All of these surnames are believed to have their roots in the original Rzehorz Surname.

Some other variants of the Rzehorz surname, which have been discovered throughout the world, include R'ezhorz in the United States, Rzehorzlieba, Rzhor2 in Russia, Rzehorzescu in Romania and Rzehorsenka in Belarus.

Overall, the Rzehorz surname is believed to originate in Cieszyn Silesia, however its many variations throughout the centuries have resulted in its distribution in countries all around the world, including the United States, Russia, Romania, Belarus and other countries within Europe.

Famous people with the name Rzehorz

• Piotr Rzehorz: Polish professional volleyball player who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
• Marcin Rzehorz: Polish film director and screenwriter.
• Maciej Rzehorz: Polish footballer who plays for GKS Katowice in the Ekstraklasa.
• Dominik Rzehorz: Polish volleyball player who won 3 Polish Championship titles.
• Marsel Rzehorz: Polish musician and composer.
• Jakub Rzehorz: Polish footballer who plays for KS Cracovia in the Ekstraklasa.
• Rafał Rzehorz: Polish volleyball player who plays for KS Resovia in the Plusliga.
• Grzegorz Rzehorz: Polish ice hockey player who plays for Pszczyna.
• Tadeusz Rzehorz: Polish rower who competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
• Filip Rzehorz: Polish anti-communist activist who fought in the Solidarity movement.

Other surnames

Rzehorsch