There are several lists of the most common last names. We will use the list of Russian family names by Anatoly Zhuravlev – in our opinion, it the most modern and has the largest coverage. Family names are arranged from the most common to the least common.
1. Ivanov
This last name is derived from the first name Ivan, which means “God’s grace.”
The family name Ivanov is common in major Russian regional centers, and especially in the North-West of Russia.
The last name Ivanov has a lot of derivatives: Vanin, Vankin, Vanyushin, Ivashov, Ivashin, Ivashkin Ivashutin, Ivashchenkov, Ivanenkov, Ivanischev, Ivankov and so on.
2. Smirnov
This last name is derived from the Russian name Smyrnoi, which means “meek.”
It is especially prevalent in the Volga region of Russia.
3. Kuznetsov
Kuznetsov directly points to the occupation – “kuznets” in Russian is a blacksmith.
Blacksmiths – was a much needed occupation in the old days in every village.
The last name Kuznetsov is most common among Russian family names in the region from Upper Oka to Middle Volga.
In English, there is also a similar last name – Smith.
4. Popov
The last name Popovpoints directly to the occupation of the father – pope (priest). In Russian Orthodox Church priests are allowed to marry and have children, in contrast to Catholics. Russian priests actively use this right: their families are often very big.
5. Vasiliev
This last name is derived from the male first name Vasily. The name Vasily in Greek means “royal.”
It is possible that the “royal” origin of the name is the reason that the family name Vasiliev is most common in large cities of Russia.
DerivativeRussian family names of the name Vasiliev: Vasilek, Vasylyuk, Vasechkin, Vasnetsov, Vasyutin, Vasyuhin, Vashchenko and others.
6. Petrov
This is a derivative of the male first name Petr. Petr in Greek means “stone”.
There are other family names derived from the name Petr: Petin, Petreykin, Petrikov, Petrin, Petrishchev, Petrovyh, Petrunin, Petrukhin, Petrushkin, Petrushev, Petrushenkov, Petrykin, Petryagin, Petryaev, Petyunin, Petyushkin, Petyaev and so on.
In English there are also similar last names – Peter, Peters, Pethers, Petre, Petryand so on.
7. Sokolov
This last name is derived from the Russian male name Sokol. Sokol also means a species of a fast bird of prey.
In Russia there are many last names that are derived from the names of birds.
8. Mikhailov
This last name is derived from a very common male first name Mikhail.
There are many family names formed from the name Mikhail: Mikhaev, Mishin, Mishurin, etc.
9. Fedorov
This is a derivative of the male first name Fedor (Feodor), which in Greek means “gift of God.”
From this name there are many derivative Russian family names: Fedin, Fedorin, Fedunov, Fedkin, Fedyaev, etc.
10. Morozov
This last name is formed from the male nickname Moroz. It is possible that the name Moroz has to do with cold weather – bitter cold that is often seen during the winter months in Russia.
11. Volkov
This last name is derived from the nickname Volk. Literally Volk means a “wolf.”
12. Alexeev
A derivative of the male first name Alexey. The name Alexey in Greek means “defender.”
From the name Alexey a lot of Russian family names are derived: Alexin, Alenin, Alekhin, Aleshin, Lelikov, Lenkov, Lyashev, Oleshin, and others.
13. Lebedev
This last name is derived from the male nickname Lebed. Lebed means a swan. Names of birds often form Russian family names.
14. Semenov
Semenov is derived from the male name Semen (Simeon). Semen in Hebrew means “God that hears.”
15. Egorov
Egorovcomes from a male first name Egor (Georgy). Georgy is Greek means a “farmer.” There are many family names derived from the name Egor: Egunov, Egorikhin, Egorichev, Egorkin, Egorkov, Egorushkin, Egorchenkov, Egorshin, Egorychev, Egoriev, Egoshin, Egunov.
16. Pavlov
It comes from the male first name Pavel. Pavel means “small” (in Latin).
Many Russian family names come from the name Pavel: Pavlishchev, Pavlukhin, Pavlychev, Pavshinand others.
17. Kozlov
Kozlov comes from a male nickname Kozel, which in Rusian means “goat.” Animals in the Russian language are frequent source of nicknames.
18. Stepanov
It’s a derivative of the male first name Stepan (Stefan). Stepan in Greek means a “crown.”
There are many family names derived from the name Stepan: Stepanchikov, Stepanychev, Stepichev, Stepulev, Stepurin, Stepyrev and others.
19. Nikolaev
This last name comes from the male first name Nikolay. The name Nikolay is formed from two Greek words “flower” and “people.”
There are many Russian family names that come from the name Nikolay: Nikolaichev, Nikolin, Nikolyukin, Nikulaenkov, Nikulin, Nikulichev, Nikulkin, Nikulov, Mikolaev, Mikulin, etc.
20. Orlov
The last name Orlovis derived from the male first name or nickname Orel.
Orel means eagle in Russian. Names of birds in Russiaoften became a source of first and last names.
In ancient Russian mythology, eagle – is the lord of the heavens: strong, healthy and long-lived.
See also:
Most popular Russian names in Moscow
фото-фотобанк Лори
This article contains some materials by V. Nikonov.
I think Romanov/Romanoff should be up there too. It’s very common.
I’ve never met anyone with that family name.
I thought of this only because of Natasha romanoff from marvel.
I thought the last royal family was Romanov? Michael to Nicholas II?
Yeah, but the surname itself is relatively uncommon. I have never personaly met a “Romanov” in my life. The only Romanovs I know are in fact that royal family.
My grandmother was a Romanoff (no relation to the royal family, of course).
According to the 2005 list of 257 of most common Russian family names compiled by Yelena Balanovskaya (“список общерусских фамилий”)in Wikipedia, ‘Romanov’ is No. 44.
Does anyone have information to the surname czerinas please ? Thank you
I’m just here because i need Russian names for this project I’m doing
lol same
A reason that the name is 44 on the list is because it was the last name of the tsar and his family and when they died there were few left with that last name.
My husband’s surname is Sanarov. His family left Russia and fled to China. Then to Brazil, and to US on a government grant in the 1960’s I believe. He was born here as well as his siblings. Just trying to find any history o. The last name
Thank You!
A lot of these aren’t surnames, they are patronymic names which is more similar to a middle name. Easy mistake to make though because on legal documents the patronymic is listed last while the surname is listed first.
I’m sorry, but this is not correct. The patronimics are structured differently and have different endings. Some surnames might have a historical origin similar to patronymics – like, Petrov, which would mean “beloning to the family of Piotr” (similar to Icelandic family names, etc). But if the person’s father’s name was Piotr, the partonim would be Petrovich for male, or Petrovna for female.
Researching a family member who immigrated from Germany. On the ship’s manifest, he listed Wlad Pokujucisbli s his person he knew here. I don’t think the spelling is correct. Hard to make out. If someone has any ideas I would appreciate it.
For your search, try Pociejewski, possibly? Close as I could come to a real surname near the spelling, and am uncertain of the name origin. Just couldn’t resist the puzzle. 🙂
I have relatives with the last name Dedushenkov, when translated into English. I’d love to know the history or meaning of that name.
Dedushenkov (Дедушенков)
Дедушка – Grandfather
Дед – This is how old people usually call
I would not use these original names for reference to regular Russian names. I would love to have been named in tho fashion. Viagra sounds odd at first but you have the story behind it. It’s Odd and strange and beautiful.
Trying to find a Slovakian village, town or city that has my family in large numbers!
Mine is Fedorov! It is from my moms side as her father is Russian. Don’t tend to use it very often although it is on my birth certificate etc. I have two other surnames so parents didn’t want three surnames for me at school. Also I have two middle names so talk about overload.
My last name is Zaharov.Greatgrandfather left Ukraine during WW2 and started family in Croatia.I would love to find out more about my family name.
Zaharov. Захаров. From Russian name “Захар”. Захар = Zechariah (“remember God”).
I suppose Papin has the same meaning as Popov?
Papain – “Папин”. From “Dad”. Literally “Dad’s”.
Alexy it looks like you might be able to help me. I am trying find my father through DNA. His 2nd cousin immigrated from Grodzinski, Russia. He came with several brothers. His surname is documented as Colidac. I can’t find his brothers. I am sure this is not the original surname. Do you have any idea what it might be? I haven’t seen anything in my search that is near Colidac. His wife was Akulina Polichuczenkowa if that can help in anyway. Thank you for any suggestion.
I wondering if someone here can help me. Our surname is Samons. From familys stories we are told our great great grandfather were a Russian Jew and come from Russia to south Africa when he was 12. He changed hes surname to Samons from Sheshe (not sure of the spelling). I dont know what year he was born, know nothing of hes family or even the date he came to South Africa. All we have is the surname. Is it possile to have this surname (She she) in Russia. If so can someone help me with the spelling
Hi I am looking for a name and I think it is Russian
The spelling is probably wrong but it’s something like carrigov
My grandfathers name was Podyrak. Is this spelled correctly?
hi buddy, i just hunt your post it was awesome
Where does the last name Venarchick come from? It’s my last name and I don’t know if I’ve Ukrainian or Russian
Venarchick is Ukrainian last name
I would like to know more about my birth parents and my name’s. The names are as followed(from adoption papers) Mom: Rudenkaya Helena Alexandrovna
Dad: Rudenkiy Vasily (gotta look up this name again)
Birth brother: Rudenkiy Vladimir Vasilievich
Mine: Rudenkaya Olesya Vasilievna
Grandfather name Charles Fredrick moskow can not find any information on that last name it seems to always go to moscow
“Moskow”, “Moskov” – “a resident of Moscow”, “lived in Moscow”. Moscow is a capital of Russia.
I am researching a watercolor dated 1878 and signed by P. Raturanoff. It was found in an attic in a very hold home in Fair Haven, NJ, USA many years ago. Is this a Russian name?
Looking for ancestry clues, if anyone could help please.
My great-grandparents were Russian and immigrated to America in 1908, so their information was all recorded phonetically…
Has anyone heard the last name Repoff used in Eastern Europe and any other information?
Much Appreciated
Repoff = Repov. In my opinion, it’s from the old Russian name: “Репа” (Repa), “Репка” (Repka).
I noticed commonality in a lot of the names for the second part. What are their meanings?
Example: -nov, -ikhin, -ichev, -kin, -kov, -ishkin, -chenkov, -shin,-ychev, -iev, -shin,
What part of Russia does the surname Millers originate from?