Looking for Wasylkowski family history after moving to the USA from Europe (Poland?)

Hi, has anyone here ever heard of the surname "Wasylkowski"? I am American from Wisconsin. My family moved to the USA in the 1880s from Europe to escape Russian occupation? That's all I know.

This surname sounds a bit unusual; and I am wondering if it is actually Polish? Does anyone know what "Wasylkowski" means? But, I am sure I have Polish heritage as I grew up in a community with lots of Polish people?

I have found a tramway in Kiev with the name "Vasylkivska". Which sounds close enough to Wasylkowski. Could I actually (also) be Ukrainian?

I cannot find the meaning of the surname but according to this site there are currently 120 people living in Poland with this surname:

moikrewni.pl/mapa/kompletny/wasylkowski.html


That is named after the street which leads to Vasylkiv, a city in Kiev Oblast.

It's probably derived from Wasyl/Vasilij/Bazyli - all forms of Basil. Or a place name like Wasilków, Wasilkowo etc.

Thank-you.

Dude, theoretically:
A Mexican circa 1839 becomes an American citizens, his children move to California or where have you, they intermarry and so on. Fast forward to 1940 some or other of his progeny moves to well...say to France. Fast forward to 2018, one of his grandchildren post on an American forums, hmm has anyone heard the surname Gonzalez, this surname sounds a bit unusual, I'm wondering if it is actually American.

What would you tell him?
It depend on what you are looking for.
Poland used to be an empire not unlike the US for about 400 years spanning half of the continent and many religions, creeds, races and ethnicities.

Take your pick.