The name is derived from the Polish common noun bednarz meaning ‘cooper’, or from the common noun bednarczyk meaning ‘cooper's apprentice’, and refers to an occupation. It may also be derived from the Polish personal name Bednarz (derived from the above-mentioned common noun) with the patronymic suffix -czyk, or Bednarek with the patronymic suffix -yk, and refer to the connection with the father or another ancestor by that name.