For other uses, see Atlantis (disambiguation). Athanasius Kircher's map of Atlantis, placing it in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. From Mundus Subterraneus 1669, published in Amsterdam. The map is oriented with south at the top.
Common Polish family names include Nowak, Kowalski, Wisniewski, Kaminski and Zielinski. As with other cultures, many Polish surnames are based on a profession or place of origin.
1 Geographical Surnames (Place Names) - The most common type of Polish surname, these Polish last names are derived from the location of the homestead from which the first bearer and his family lived.2  In the case of nobility, the surnames were often taken from the names of their estates. Occupational Surnames-these Polish last names are based on the person's job or trade (MichaÂ³ Krawiec-Michael the tailor). 2  Descriptive Surnames-Based on a unique quality or physical feature of the individual, these surnames often developed from nicknames or pet names (Jan Wysocki-John the tall).