The meaning of the surname Oleinikov, like any other surname originating from the profession of the male ancestor, is obvious. He was engaged in craft - produced oil. Countrymen traditionally called it Oleynik, and children and other descendants, respectively, were called Oleinikovs.
Moreover, this profession is universal. You must admit that not a single country, not a single civilization can do without people who produce or sell vegetable oils. After all, oils are consumed both as food and used for religious, cosmetic purposes. As far back as the century before last in Russia, these oils were more often called “oil” or “ole”.
It is characteristic that back in the 19th century, our ancestors routinely used mainly vegetable oil for food, which is actually a folk product. Common people ate butter, for the most part, only on weekends.
Related Slavic last names
It is noteworthy that the origin of the surname Oleynikov (Russian version) has its analogues in related Slavic languages. So in Belarus, for example, the Aleinikovs arose. Recall one of the representatives of this surname. Actor Peter Aleinikov ("The Little Humpbacked Horse", "Great Life", "Tractor Drivers") was very popular in the middle of the last century.)
The Ukrainian version of the name Oleynikov is more concise. He remained the original - Oleynik. So, in particular, in an old document of the 17th century, "Register of the Zaporizhzhya Army", Misko, Grinets and Stepan Oleiniki - Cossacks of the Belotserkovsky regiment are mentioned.
What are the wisdom of Oleinikov’s craft? Pre-dried sunflower seeds were first crushed and crushed several times. Then the resulting mass was put in pots and heated in an oven. After heat treatment, the hot mass was laid, wrapped in canvas in a kind of press: dies squeezed with wedges. Below, under the dies was the dishes in which the oil drained. Due to the fact that wedges should be knocked, artisans were also called oil makers.
Surnames to peasants: after serfdom
It is characteristic that the professional origin of the surname Oleinikov is in principle different from the origin of surnames derived from canonical names. It is clear that it arose not among the nobles, not among persons of the higher clergy. Therefore, the vast majority of the founders of the name Oleinikov are people of the 18th century. After the abolition of serfdom, the surname in law received a huge number of peasants. The state, and not the feudal lords, landowners, now kept records of its citizens, free rural inhabitants. Including accounting was needed for mobilization in the army. It seemed natural to people to accept a surname consonant with their craft. Since canonical names, as sources of further creation of surnames, turned out to be much less than relevant professions, the Rybakovs, Shevtsovs, Kuznetsovs, Melnikovs, etc. appeared among the population.
Celebrities
It is usually customary to recall prominent people, considering the origin of the surname. Ilya L. Oleinikov, who, unfortunately, is no longer with us, should be the first to be mentioned on this list. A popular favorite and a radiant person. A deep and subtle master of a good and healing soul of humor. In his usual manner, it was enough to just pause - and the audience was already starting to smile.
Another famous person in contemporary Russian cinema is the director and producer Oleinikov Alexander Anatolyevich. His film works are widely known: “Love-carrot”, “My favorite mother-in-law”, “Military intelligence”. He created his unique image in the cinema.
By the way, there are people among the Oleinikovs who are known in the business world. One of them is Igor Mikhailovich, an American billionaire developer who emigrated from the USSR.
