kowal

Kowal is a Polish surname and toponym. The name is derived from the Polish word kowal, meaning blacksmith, and originally referred to a person who practiced the trade. As a surname, Kowal is common in Poland and among people of Polish descent abroad, reflecting its occupational origins.

Kowal also appears as a place name in Poland. Several villages or small settlements bear the name Kowal, situated in different voivodeships. In some instances, Kowal forms part of longer toponyms such as Kowalewo or Kowale, which denote distinct localities but share the same root.

In modern usage, Kowal can be encountered in records of Polish diaspora communities around the world. The spelling is typically Kowal, though diacritics are often omitted in non-Polish contexts. The name is one of many examples of Polish surnames that originated from trades and were later carried into broader family lineages.