Most Russian surnames derived from patronymics, or the fathers name, occupation, or character traits.
Surnames in Russiawere known to exist even prior to Christianity being introduced in the 10th century.
They also used these names with meaning in the opposite way.
vierro
For example, a person named A Dur ( stupid) will grow up smart.
Once Christianity was introduced and the population had grown more, names expanded.
Moscows aristocracy was the earliest to get surnames in the 14th-15th centuries.
For peasants and serfs, most of them earned surnames after being freed in 1861.
Derivations of Russian Last Names
Typical Russian family names end in -ov, -ev, or -in.
Most Russian last names are patronymic, meaning they derived from the given name of a childs father.
Within this name, ov means of thus, Ivanov means son of Ivan.
As this common family tradition continued, these surnames could only last a lifetime.
For example, the name Volkovs meaning the word wolf and the name Morozovs meaning the word frost.
Some names were also created in relation to certain church holidays or saints while others were occupational.
For example, the city of Perm was renamed Molotov.
The Russian Language
The Russian language is quite interesting too.
It is a Slavic language and any Russian/Slavic names are indicative of a persons place of origin.
For example, Novak, written as was a name given to someone new to the village.
First names like Erik or Robert become (ruler of all) or (fame-bright).
There are also male and female forms of Russian surnames.
With the female forms, an a is added at the end.
However, last names ending in -ich or -ko are considered to be gender-neutral.
So the name x works for both a male and a female.
Top Russian Surnames
Ivanov
A popular religious name meaning son of Ivan.
It is written as and the female variation of this name is Ivanova (daughter of Ivan).
Smirnov
A popular surname meaning meek, peaceful, calm.
The female variation is Smirnova.
Petrov
A common Russian last name has two meanings: stone and son of Pyotr.
The female variation is Petrova.
Kuznetsov
The meaning of this Russian last name is blacksmith.
The female variation of this name is Kuznetsova.
Popov
This religiously derived surname stands for priest and the female variation is Popova.
Sokolov
A common last name that has multiple meanings: bird of prey or falcon, hawk.
The female variation is Sokolova.
Mikhailov
A patronymic surname meaning son of Mikhail.
Novikov
An old Russian name meaning newcomer.
It comes from the nickname Novik, which comes from the word new.
This name could have been given to foreign people.
Writer Vladimir Ulyanov originally signed his works as Lenin and went down in history as Vladmir Lenin.
The infamous Joseph Stalin had his name changed as well.
He was originally Joseph Dzhugashvili, but changed it to Stalin meaning steel.
Gorbachev ended the Soviet Union and was considered a hero.
This is a famous Russian name made popular by Tennis player Svetlana Kuznetsova.
The name means blacksmith.
Stalin
This Russian last name stands for made of steel.
This is the name of Joseph Stalin, the Soviet tyrant.
Tchaikovsky
This famous name means lapwing bird.
PyotrTchaikovsky is the most famous Russian classical music composer, his notable works recognized asSwan LakeandThe Nutcracker.
Tolstoy
This family name is derived from the character traits thick, stout, fat.
Russian Surnames from Animals
Baranov
This common name stems from the word ram.
Bobrov
The meaning of this name is beaver.
Bykov
A strong name meaning bull.
Golubev
A name originating from animals meaning pigeon.
Gusev
Stemming from animals, this names meaning is goose.
Kotov
This last name stems from animals, meaning cat.
Kozlov
This common Russian last name means goat.
Lebedev
A last name derived from animals, meaning swan.
Medvedev
A strong Russian name meaning bear.
Orlov
This Russian surname stands for eagle.
Sobakin
A name derived from animals meaning dog.
Utkin
A name derived from animals meaning duck.
Volkov
A popular Russian last name meaning wolf.
Vorobyev
This surname means sparrow.
Russian Patronymic Last Names
Andreyev
This family names meaning is property of Andrew.
Ibragimov
A common family name meaning son of Abraham.
Yakovlev
This family name stands for son of Yakov.
Abdulov
It is a Russian patronymic last name that means Son of Abdul.
Abdul, in Arabic, means servant of God.
Antonov
It is a Russian patronymic last name that means Son of Anton.
The word derived from Roman means Priceless.
Babin
This is a metronymic or patronymic Russian name which means son of an old woman.
It is also used as a nickname to describe a fussy man.
Semyonov
This surname means Son of Semyon.
Russian Last Names From Occupations and Religious Origins
Fedorov
A religious name meaning gift of God.
Rabinovich
A religiously derived surname meaning rabbis son.
Vasiliev
A common name meaning royal.
Rozhdestvensky
A family name meaning Christmas.
Semenov
This common name means God that hears.
Bortnik
This is a habitational last name as well as an occupational name.
The name defines someone whos from a place called Bortniki.
It also means beekeeper.
Voznesensky
This popular Russian last name means ascension.
Plotnikov
An occupational name meaning carpenter.
Egorov
A common name meaning farmer.
Portnov
This occupational surname stands for tailor.
Prostakov
A Russian last name meaning simpleton.
Rybakov
An occupational Russian last name meaning fisherman.
Sobol
A Russian occupational name meaning fur trader.
Kalashnik
This common name means bread maker.
Nikolaev
This family name stands for flower people or someone who trades flowers.
Meknikov
An occupational name meaning miller.
This common Russian surname stands for one who travels along the road.
Rasputin
A popular name meaning crossroads.
Vinogradov
This name stands for vineyard.
Zima
A name derived from the elements meaning winter.
Petukhov
This is another name that is used to define people who belong to several habitations.
Russian Last Names From Character Traits
Alexeev
This popular name means defender.
Bogomolov
A popular name meaning pious one.
Molchalin
This Russian last name means silent.
Pavlov
This Russian last name means small.
Chernov
A popular name that means black, usually given to black-haired or dark-skinned people.
Gorky
Relating to a persons characteristics, this name means extremely bitter.
Agafonov
It is a Russian surname that means kindness or goodness.
Other Russian Last Names
Drozdov
This popular name stands for thrush.
Kamenev
This surname stands for stone.
Krovopuskov
This Russian name means to let blood.
Krupin
A popular name meaning grain.
Lagunov
A common Russian name meaning water barrel.
Molotov
A common name meaning hammer.
Pasternak
This surname means parsnip.
A popular surname meaning cockerel.
Sobolev
A popular Russian last name that means sable.
Sorokin
This Russian surname means magpie.
Stepanov
A popular Russian last name that means crown.
Voronin
A name derived from animals meaning crow.
Zhuravlev
A popular surname meaning crane.
Zolotov
A popular Russian last name meaning gold.
