Surname Michajlow - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Michajlow: What does the surname Michajlow mean?
The last name Michajlow is of Polish origin. Literally translated, it means "son of the devil" or "son of the demon". This name may come from a regional folktale, in which a man named Michajlow is said to have made a deal with a demon in exchange for wealth and success.
Although this name may have negative connotations, the history of the name is less ominous. The term 'Michajlow' actually derives from 'Miha' – a personal name of Slavic origin. This in turn has roots in the old Slavic word ‘mich’, which means ‘who is like God?’ The combination of the two words ‘Mich + Miha’ thus has a positive religious connotation, whereby it was originally used as a form of reference to God.
As time passed, the name Michajlow became popular in Poland and other Slavic countries. This is reflected in the many variations found across the region, such as: Michajłowicz, Mihajlović, Michalow, Michalovicz and Michalovic.
Today, Michajlow is widely used throughout many countries and is not necessarily associated with the original Slavic meaning. Instead, it could simply refer to the bearer’s family, or their father.
Order DNA origin analysisMichajlow: Where does the name Michajlow come from?
The last name Michajlow is a Slavic last name, most common in regions that were once part of the Soviet Union. Today, it is most prevalent in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan.
In Russia, Michajlow is most common in the area around Moscow, as well as in some areas in the south, including Voronezh, Rostov, and Krasnodar regions. In Belarus, Michajlow is most common in Minsk and the eastern part of the country. Kyiv is a major urban center in Ukraine that has a large concentration of Michajlow families. Kazakhstan also has a sizable population of Michajlow in larger cities, particularly in the Kyzylorda region.
Due to the Soviet Union's past, people of this last name have spread across former Soviet states, as well as other eastern European countries. Therefore, they can also be found in Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary.
Additionally, as many people have immigrated since the breakup of the Soviet Union, Michajlow families can now be found throughout the world. The United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom are some of the countries where it is particularly common.
Variations of the surname Michajlow
The surname Michajlow has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common alternative spelling of the name is Mikhaĭlova or Mikhaĭlov. Other variant forms are Michajlov, Michajlove, Mikhailowe, Michałow, Michałowska, Mikhaĭlovski, Mikhaĭlovskiy, Mikhajlov, Mikhaylov, Mikhaylova, Mikhaylovska, and Mikhaylovskoy.
This surname is derived from the personal name Mikhail, which is derived from the Hebrew name Michael, meaning "who is like God?". Mikhail is usually transliterated into Russian as Mikhaĭl, but due to its popularity there are a few variations and alterations.
The related surnames for Michajlow may also be found among the Polish, Czech, Slovak, and Ukrainian populations. The Polish surname Michałowska is the feminine form of the name, while the Czech name Michaelōw is a combination of Michael and the patronymic suffix “ow”. The Slovak form is Michaelová, while the Ukrainian variant is Mykhayliv.
In conclusion, the surname Michajlow has many variants, spellings, and related surnames of the same origin. These variations are mainly concentrated in Slavic countries, though the surname may also be found in other parts of the world due to migration.
Famous people with the name Michajlow
- Sergei Michajlow: Russian football manager and former professional football player.
- Viktor Michajlow: Russian composer, some of his most famous works being Mazepa and Deception.
- Stanislav Michajlow: Russian painter, known for his post-impressionistic works.
- Galina Michajlova: Russian actress, known for her roles in popular Russian television series.
- Marat Michajlow: Russian theater and movie actor, best known for his roles in War and Peace and Irony of Fate.
- Yury Michajlow: Russian writer and scriptwriter, wrote several works for Russian television programs.
- Andrei Michajlow: Russian lawyer and human rights activist.
- Alexander Michajlow: Russian chemist, known for his research on the behavior of inorganic substances.
- Ivan Michajlow: Russian Orthodox monk, known for his contribution to the study of Slavic languages.
- Valentin Michajlow: Belarusian architect, best known for designing the Academy of Sciences of Belarus.