1. 1. A Polish family name of patronymic origin alluding to the characteristic of the original bearer of the name. Early nineteenth century references to the surname in its exact spelling are found documented in former Prussia. The origin of the surname lies in the ancient Germanic personal name, Nand, to which is added the Polish patronymic ending, '...zik'. Nand, Gothic for 'bravery', is in turn derived from the Gothic 'nanthjan', meaning 'to venture, to risk, to dare'. (2009)
2. 2. Alternatively, this Polish surname may be a variant of Mandzik, which derives from the old Polish word, 'mando', meaning 'kernel, core, gist'. Thus, it appears likely that the surname would have arisen as an occupational nickname for a miller or grain farmer, or perhaps for one who was involved with husking or threshing the grain after the harvest. (2008)
3. 3. Alternatively, the surname may be derived from the Polish 'miedziocha, miedziucha', meaning 'cow's name', although the exact significance as a surname is unknown. (2008)

Source: Excerpted from research provided by Historical Research Center, Inc. in 2008 and 2009.