Berkowicz is a variant spelling of the Ashkenazic Jewish surname Berkovich, and is also recorded as a Polish surname in its own right. Etymology Like the more common form Berkowitz, Berkowicz is a patronymic surname derived from the Yiddish personal name Berko, which is itself a diminutive of Ber, the Yiddish word for “bear.” The suffix “-witz” or “-wicz” means “son of,” so Berkowicz essentially means “son of Ber” or “son of the bear.” The Yiddish Ber is a vernacular equivalent of the Hebrew name Dov, which also means “bear.” This animal symbolism was often used to convey strength and ferocity, and the name was especially common among Ashkenazi Jews in Eastern Europe. Historical Context The variant forms of this surname—including Berkovich, Berkowitz, Berkovits, and Berkowicz—were distributed across different regions and alphabets. In Polish contexts, the spelling Berkowicz reflects Polish orthographic conventions. The surname is first documented in the 18th century, during a period when Jews in Poland-Lithuania were required to adopt permanent surnames. As a result, many Jews chose surnames based on personal names in combination with patronymic prefixes or suffixes. Notable Bearers Notable individuals with the surname Berkowicz include: Józef Berkowicz (1789–1846), a Polish military officer of Jewish descent who served in the November Uprising against the Russian Empire. Konrad Berkowicz (born 1984), a contemporary Polish politician and member of the Sejm, who has been active in right-wing political movements. Distribution and Variants While Berkowicz is a less common spelling than Berkowitz, it is found predominantly in Poland and among Polish diaspora communities. Related variants include Berkovich, Berkowitz, Berkovits, Berkovic, and Berkovici. These alternate spellings arose from differences in transliteration from Yiddish or Hebrew to the Latin alphabet, often depending on the language of the host country (e.g., German, English, or Polish). Today, all major forms of the surname occur primarily in the United States, Israel, and Eastern Europe. Key Facts Meaning: Son of Berko (Yiddish “bear”) Origin: Ashkenazic Jewish (also Polish) Type: Patronymic surname Regions: Poland, Eastern Europe, later United States and Israel