Russian Common Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide

This comprehensive guide delves into the world of Russian common last names, exploring their diverse origins and intricate meanings. Whether you're researching your family history, creating a fictional character, or simply curious about Russian culture, this list of popular surnames provides a fascinating glimpse into the rich tapestry of Russian identity.
1. **Ivanov:** Derived from the given name Ivan, meaning "God is merciful" or "Yahweh has been gracious." This is the most common last name in Russia, reflecting the popularity of the name Ivan throughout history.
2. **Sidorov:** Originating from the given name Sidor, a diminutive of the name Theodore, meaning "gift of God."
3. **Kuznetsov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Kuzma," derived from the name Kuzma, meaning "blacksmith."
4. **Smirnov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Semyon," derived from the name Semyon, meaning "God has heard."
5. **Popov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Pop," derived from the word "pop," meaning "priest."
6. **Sokolov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Sokol," derived from the word "sokol," meaning "falcon."
7. **Petrov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Peter," derived from the name Peter, meaning "stone" or "rock."
8. **Vasiliev:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Vasily," derived from the name Vasily, meaning "strong, royal."
9. **Pavlov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Pavel," derived from the name Pavel, meaning "small."
10. **Stepanov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Stepan," derived from the name Stepan, meaning "crown" or "wreath."
11. **Fedorov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Fyodor," derived from the name Fyodor, meaning "gift of God."
12. **Grigoriev:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Grigory," derived from the name Grigory, meaning "watchful" or "alert."
13. **Volkov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Vol," derived from the word "vol," meaning "wolf."
14. **Nikolaev:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Nikolai," derived from the name Nikolai, meaning "people of victory."
15. **Demidov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Demid," derived from the name Demid, meaning "smith" or "craftsman."
16. **Kozlov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Koz," derived from the word "koz," meaning "goat."
17. **Sergeev:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Sergey," derived from the name Sergey, meaning "bright" or "shining."
18. **Mikhailov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Mikhail," derived from the name Mikhail, meaning "who is like God?"
19. **Leonov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Leo," derived from the name Leo, meaning "lion."
20. **Zaitsev:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Zayts," derived from the word "zayts," meaning "hare."
21. **Borisov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Boris," derived from the name Boris, meaning "struggle" or "victory."
22. **Golubev:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Golub," derived from the word "golub," meaning "dove."
23. **Egorov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Yegor," derived from the name Yegor, meaning "farmer" or "husbandman."
24. **Andreev:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Andrey," derived from the name Andrey, meaning "brave" or "manly."
25. **Semenov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Semyon," derived from the name Semyon, meaning "God has heard."
26. **Kiselev:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Kis," derived from the word "kis," meaning "little one."
27. **Kalinnikov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Kalinnik," derived from the name Kalinnik, meaning "handsome" or "beautiful."
28. **Loginov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Login," derived from the name Login, meaning "to come" or "to enter."
29. **Makarov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Makar," derived from the name Makar, meaning "blessed" or "happy."
30. **Savelyev:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Savely," derived from the name Savely, meaning "God is my oath."
31. **Konovalov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Konoval," derived from the word "konoval," meaning "veterinarian."
32. **Nikitin:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Nikita," derived from the name Nikita, meaning "victory of the people."
33. **Romanov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Roman," derived from the name Roman, meaning "Roman."
34. **Novikov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Novikov," derived from the word "novikov," meaning "newcomer."
35. **Sazonov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Sazon," derived from the name Sazon, meaning "son of the sun."
36. **Belyaev:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Bely," derived from the word "bely," meaning "white."
37. **Martynov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Marty," derived from the name Marty, meaning "warlike" or "belligerent."
38. **Voronov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Voron," derived from the word "voron," meaning "raven."
39. **Dmitriev:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Dmitry," derived from the name Dmitry, meaning "belonging to Demeter," the Greek goddess of agriculture.
40. **Alekseev:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Alexey," derived from the name Alexey, meaning "defender of mankind."
41. **Yakovlev:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Yakov," derived from the name Yakov, meaning "Yahweh has protected."
42. **Antonov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Anton," derived from the name Anton, meaning "priceless" or "invaluable."
43. **Shishkin:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Shishka," derived from the word "shishka," meaning "cone."
44. **Morozov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Moroz," derived from the word "moroz," meaning "frost."
45. **Vasilyev:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Vasily," derived from the name Vasily, meaning "strong, royal."
46. **Kirillov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Kirill," derived from the name Kirill, meaning "lord" or "master."
47. **Smirnov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Semyon," derived from the name Semyon, meaning "God has heard."
48. **Sidorov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Sidor," a diminutive of the name Theodore, meaning "gift of God."
49. **Kuznetsov:** A patronymic surname meaning "son of Kuzma," derived from the name Kuzma, meaning "blacksmith."
50. **Ivanov:** Derived from the given name Ivan, meaning "God is merciful" or "Yahweh has been gracious." This is the most common last name in Russia, reflecting the popularity of the name Ivan throughout history.