Kowalski

Kowalski (; feminine: Kowalska, plural Kowalscy) is the second most common surname in Poland (139,719). During the previous century it was the most common name. Jan Kowalski (and Jan Nowak) are synonymous with John Doe or John Smith in English-speaking countries.

Kowalski translates to blacksmith, as it is the patronymic form of the Polish equivalent of Smith, "Kowal" (see the Polish surname Kowal and the Ukrainian surname Koval). Several other surnames, such as Kowalczyk, Kowalewski, and Kowalewicz, are also derived from the word Kowal.