Surname Poliakof - Meaning and Origin
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Poliakof: What does the surname Poliakof mean?
The last name Poliakof is a Jewish surname of Russian and Ukrainian origin, derived from the Yiddish word polyak, meaning “pigeon”.
Poliakof is considered to be a toponymic surname, which means that it was derived from the name of the town or village where the family originally lived. Specifically, the surname Poliakof was derived from the name of Poliakiwka, a Jewish shtetl located in the Volyn region of what was then known as the Russian Empire and is now located in Ukraine.
In the Russian language, the surname is pronounced “Paw-lya-koff.” In English, it is usually pronounced “pol-ee-ah-koff.”
Poliakof families were historically concentrated in the areas of Russia, Ukraine, and Poland, immigrating to other parts of Europe, South Africa, and the United States in the 1870s and 1880s.
Today, individuals with the Poliakof surname can be found in many parts of the world, especially in countries such as the United States, Israel, Russia, and the United Kingdom.
In the United States, most Poliakof families are of Jewish descent, although some descend from Ukrainian or Russian Christians. Jewish individuals with this surname often spell it as “Polevykoff” or “Polevokh” in order to commemorate their origins in the town of Poliakiwka.
Although the surname is relatively uncommon, it can be seen in Jewish records and genealogical archives. The Polish American Historical Association also has records of individuals with the Poliakof surname.
Although the exact meaning of the name is uncertain, it is clear that the Poliakof surname is of Jewish- Russian and Ukrainian origin, derived from the town of Poliakiwka. Although the exact history of the surname is obscure, the continuity of the name around the world today is a testament to the endurance of Jewish culture and heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisPoliakof: Where does the name Poliakof come from?
The last name Poliakof is most commonly found in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, and Israel. In Russia, the origin of the Poliakof surname is believed to derive from the Polia river, a tributary of the Don River and a major waterway in the area. The last name is also present in other Eastern European countries such as Lithuania and Latvia.
The Poliakof family is most commonly found in Russia, with an estimate of 15,000 people having that surname. The Poliakof family could have originally been Sephardic Jewish, having moved to Eastern European countries after being expelled from Portugal and Spain in the 15th century. Other researchers believe that the surname is derived from a Russian version of the Cohen family, which is still a prevalent surname in many countries.
In Belarus, there are an estimated 4,400 people with the last name Poliakof, and it is most commonly found in the cities of Minsk and Grodno. The Poliakof family is also a very distinguished family in Ukraine, where almost two thirds of Jewish families in some cities have this last name.
In Israel, the surname Poliakof is mainly found among Russian immigrants, who moved there during the late 1970s, as well as those with a Jewish background living in the country. This surname can also be found in the United States and Canada, where Jewish families from Eastern Europe emigrated during the late 19th and early 20th century.
The Poliakof surname is most associated with Eastern Europe today, but it is also found in all other four corners of the world. Thus, it is a very widespread surname with roots in different countries and regions.
Variations of the surname Poliakof
The surname Poliakof (or Poliakov) is of Jewish origin and can have many variants according to the country and language.
In Russia, it is spelled Poliakov (or Poliakova, Poliakoff, Poliakof).
In Ukraine, it is spelled Poliakyov (or Poliakova, Poliakyoff, Poliakyof).
In Belarus and Lithuania, it can be spelled Poliacov (or Poliakova, Poliacoff, Poliacof).
In Moldova, it can be spelled Polyakov (or Polyakova, Polyakoff, Polyakof).
In Slovakia it can be spelled Poliak (or Poliakova, Poliakoff, Poliakof).
In Serbia and Romania, it can be spelled Poljakov (or Poljakova, Poljakoff, Poljakof).
It can also be spelled with a double consonant, such as Polliakov, Polliak or Palliak; or with a different ending, such as Poliakove, Poliakovsky or Poliakovskyy. Additionally, many related surnames, derivatives, or spelling variations of the same origin may exist. Some of these variations may include Pleiakov, Poliak, Paleykov, Paleykoff, Poliakofer, Poliakoff, Poliakowa, Polarov, and Polyakova.
In some cases, the spelling of the surname can indicate when the family emigrated from Eastern Europe to the United States and other countries, as spelling evolved over time and was influenced by the language and customs of the new country.
Overall, Poliakof is a common Jewish surname with many variants, derivatives, and spelling variations.
Famous people with the name Poliakof
- Pavel Poliakof: Russian chess grandmaster
- Nicole Poliakof: French journalist
- David Poliakoff: American artist
- Yulian Poliakof: Russian violinist
- Paul Poliakoff: Russian poet
- Alexander Poliakof: Russian film director
- Ania Poliakof: American film producer
- Irena Poliakof: Russian ballet dancer
- David Poliakoff: American entrepreneur
- Robert Poliakoff: British theatre and opera director