Polonius3
11 Feb 2011
Genealogy / Kesikowski: Surname origin, Polish Kingdom-Podlasie region 1600-1700 [8]
KĘSIKOWSKI: Other than Kęsowo (mentioned earlier), other possible toponymic sources migth include Kęsza, Kęszyn and Kęszyce (the ś~sz alternation occurred in many regional dialects). But maybe we should reach beyond today’s boundaries. If we consider the ę~u alternation common in Polish/Ruthenian borderland areas, Kusiewszczyzna (now in Belarus) might be considered, if one assumes that a native Polish speaker may have polonised it into Kęsiewszczyzna. A stab in the dark to be sure, but for want of a better explanation…. Although -owski endings are toponymic more than 90% of the time, other sources cannot be summarily ruled out. Let’s imagine someone who, when offered a treat, was wont to say: „No dobrze, ale tylko kęsik” (just a bit). If that became his hallmark, he may have eventually got nicknamed Kęsik and his son would have been dubbed Kęsikiewicz, Kęsikowicz or Kęsikowski by fellow-villagers.
KĘSIKOWSKI: Other than Kęsowo (mentioned earlier), other possible toponymic sources migth include Kęsza, Kęszyn and Kęszyce (the ś~sz alternation occurred in many regional dialects). But maybe we should reach beyond today’s boundaries. If we consider the ę~u alternation common in Polish/Ruthenian borderland areas, Kusiewszczyzna (now in Belarus) might be considered, if one assumes that a native Polish speaker may have polonised it into Kęsiewszczyzna. A stab in the dark to be sure, but for want of a better explanation…. Although -owski endings are toponymic more than 90% of the time, other sources cannot be summarily ruled out. Let’s imagine someone who, when offered a treat, was wont to say: „No dobrze, ale tylko kęsik” (just a bit). If that became his hallmark, he may have eventually got nicknamed Kęsik and his son would have been dubbed Kęsikiewicz, Kęsikowicz or Kęsikowski by fellow-villagers.