8% of the world's inhabitants are citizens by the name of Lee. It is worn by 100 million people, most of whom live in China. The three leaders also have Asian surnames Zhang and Wang. Among the Americans, the most common are the Smiths, Johnsons and Williams. But the topic of the article is the rating of surnames in Russia. We’ll make a reservation right away that the data will be taken from the independent A Plus agency, which puts Smirnov in the first place, occupying the ninth line in the world ranking.
As a confirmation of the correctness of the proposed rating, the article publishes photos of the most famous people - carriers of the most common surnames.
Rating Leaders
The surname Smirnov is the most common in Russia. 2.5 million people in the Volga region, as well as in the Yaroslavl, Ivanovo, Kostroma and other regions carry it. More than 70 thousand Smirnovs live in the capital alone. Why so many?
Peasant families were large, so parents were relieved when quiet, outwardly calm children were born. This quality was recorded by the name of Smyrna. It often became central, since the church was often forgotten. From the Smirny the Smirnovs went.
The earliest mentions of the surname are associated with Vladimir tithing. On the birch bark it was possible to read: "Ivan the quiet Kuchuk son." In addition to the surname Smirnov, its derivatives are often found: Smirenkin, Smirnin, Smirnitsky, Smirensky.
The most famous carriers: Alexei Smirnov (comedian shown in the photo), Valentin Smirnov (physicist), Evgeny Smirnov (famous surgeon), Joseph Smirnov (holy martyr), Yuri Smirnov (Soviet poet).
The second line of the rating
Among the peasants, the most common was the name Ivan - a derivative form from the more ancient - John. The surname Ivanov is not so common in Moscow as in other regions. Often you can meet the owners of combinations with the same names and patronymics. Ivanov Ivanovich sometimes have a similar surname or its derivative: Ivankov, Ivanychev, Ivanovsky, Ivannikov. By the way, Ivins, Ishutins, Ishko come from the diminutive form of the name common in Russia: Ivsha, Ishun, Ishuta.
Several famous representatives of the surname: Sergey Ivanov (statesman), Alexander Ivanov (Russian artist), Anatoly Ivanov (writer, historian), Porfiry Ivanov (founder of the school of health).
Surname Kuznetsov
On the third line we see a surname going back to the indication on a kind of activity. There were a huge number of Kuznetsov in Russia, this profession was respected among the peasants, and its owners were wealthy people. They knew the secret of fire, they could create a horseshoe, sword or plow from ore. There are not so many Kuznetsovs in Moscow, the leader in their number was the Penza province.
In the south, blacksmiths were called coals, so the surname Kovalev is common in these regions. By the way, derivatives from pointing to this profession are also common among other peoples: Smith (England), Schmidt (Germany).
Famous representatives of the surname: Anatoly Kuznetsov (popular actor), Svetlana Kuznetsova (the famous tennis player, shown in the photo), Ivan Kuznetsov (inventor of the applicator).
The fourth most popular
The surname Popov, on the one hand, also indicates the type of activity. Its carriers became the sons of the priest. Especially many Popovs live in the north of our country. However, this is not the only reason for the surname to spread. Religious parents often called their children the names Popko, Drank. In addition, the surname was often assigned to workers or farm laborers of the priest.
Scientists tried to explain why it is in the north most Popovs. Perhaps this is due to the election of the clergy in these regions.
Famous representatives of the surname: Alexander Popov (inventor of the radio), Andrei Popov (famous actor), Oleg Popov (famous clown).
Surname Sokolov
The most common Russian surnames in Russia include the Sokolovs, whose ranking is on the fifth line. Our ancestors had a cult of birds, so the names of birds were widely used for naming. In honor of the proud falcon, parents gave their sons non-church names. Falcons gradually became Falcons.
There were times when this surname was second only to the Smirnovs in popularity. But even today, for example, in St. Petersburg, carriers of the name of a beautiful bird occupy the 7th line of the rating. And there are also derivatives of this surname - Sokolovskys, Sokolnikovs, Falcons.
The most famous representatives: Andrei Sokolov (actor, pictured), Mikhail Sokolov (spiritual writer), Fedor Sokolov (famous architect).
Sixth line of rating
Another common "bird" surname is the Lebedevs. There are five versions of its origin, each of which has a right to exist. Let's consider everything in order:
- The origin is the non-church name Swan.
- In the Sumy region there is a city with a similar name, the inhabitants of which began to bear this surname.
- In Russia, "swans" were called slaves who delivered swans to the princely table. This type of tax was very common.
- Swans are known for their loyalty and devotion. People worshiped the bird, choosing similar nicknames for themselves.
- The name Swan is one of the most harmonious, and therefore it was often used to name clergy.
Be that as it may, the rating of surnames in Russia by any author without fail includes Lebedev. By the way, there are many derivatives from the name of the bird: Lebedinsky, Lebyazhiev, Lebedevsky.
Representatives of the surname: Evgeny Lebedev (Soviet actor), Artemy Lebedev (famous designer), Igor Lebedev (Russian politician).
Surname Kozlov
Not all authors include the Kozlovs in the top 10 most common surnames, although this is not entirely true. Statistics is inexorable. Therefore, we will tell about all versions of the popularity of the Kozlovs:
- In the days of paganism in Russia, children were called the names of plants or animals, so one of them is Kozel. The animal personified for Slavs energy, courage and superiority, for it lived high in the mountains.
- It is believed that the founder of the famous surname was Grigory Kozel (XV century). He was the son of boyar Morozov.
- Among peasants, the origin of the surname is associated with the patronymic of the non-church name Kozel.
- Many derivatives (Kozelkov, Capricorn, Kozlyaev, Kozin) - evidence of origin from nicknames. Some surnames came from the name of the bird by the goat. For example, Kozodoev.
- Researchers believe that Kozlov could be called people with the stubbornness inherent in this animal.
The most famous carriers of the surname are: Andrei Kozlov (a popular TV presenter), Nikolai Kozlov (a famous psychologist, writer), Nikita Kozlov (Pushkin’s "uncle").
Surname Novikov - number 8 rating
We think everyone understands why the Novikovs were included in the ranking of surnames in Russia. This nickname was given to those who moved to another place of residence. On foreign territory, people were called beginners, because they were poorly aware of the features of life and way of life in another region. If a person mastered a new business, he also belonged to this category. He could be a novice in the Kuznetsk, carpentry or peasant business. That is why there are many derivatives from the common surname: Novichkov, Novaev, Novenky, Novko.
Among the famous representatives: Alexander Novikov (well-known chanson performer), Boris Novikov (Soviet actor), Arkady Novikov (successful restaurateur).
Surname Morozov
It was in cold Russia with its snowy winters that this surname could appear. Until the 17th century it was customary to give babies names that had pre-Christian roots. If the newborn appeared in severe cold, he was often called Moroz, which later changed to his last name. In the middle of the XV century. from Ivan Semenovich Moroz leads his family tree to the noble family of future Morozovs.
This surname has an enviable number of derivatives: Morozovsky, Morozko, Morozuk, Morozovich.
Among the representatives: Savva Morozov (merchant, Russian businessman and philanthropist, photo above), Pavlik Morozov (pioneer hero), Semyon Morozov (famous actor).
