Surname Antonov - Meaning and Origin
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Antonov: What does the surname Antonov mean?
The last name Antonov is of Russian origin and is derived from the male first name Anton. The name Anton is derived from the Roman family name Antonius, which is thought to mean ‘priceless’ or ‘invaluable’.
The suffix -ov is a patronymic or part of a name that indicates an origin, typically by indicating the father's given name. So in this case, ‘Antonov’ indicates that someone is a son of a man named Anton. This form of last name is common amongst Russian families, and is also seen throughout Eastern European countries.
As a surname, Antonov began to be a common family name in the late 19th century, when the Russian Empire was headed by Czar Alexander III. At that time, the majority of the Russian population was peasant or agricultural-based, and a surname was needed to differentiate one family from the other. Mass immigration also led to the name’s widespread usage in many different countries.
Today, Antonov can be found all over the world, especially in Russia, Ukraine, the United States, Germany, Finland, and Canada. Although it has no specific meaning, some people have claimed it means 'noble hero'.
Order DNA origin analysisAntonov: Where does the name Antonov come from?
The last name Antonov is common throughout the former Soviet Union and many of its successor states, particularly in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. Initially derived from the given name Anton, Antonov is still a very popular surname in those countries, with an estimated several hundred thousand people bearing it.
Outside of the former Soviet bloc, the surname is much less common. There are Antonovs to be found in other Eastern European countries like Croatia and Serbia, and a small number of families in the Baltic States and Scandinavia. It can also be found in Spain, and even in the United States, where a small number of immigrants from Eastern Europe have brought the name with them.
In the Americas, the Antonov surname is most common in Brazil and Argentina, with some families tracing their ancestry back to the Russian Empire. Similarly, a significant number of Australian and South African citizens have been found to bear the Antonov name.
Finally, the name Antonov is sometimes found amongst Jewish families with Ashkenazi ancestry, and is likely to have some connection with the biblical name of Anthony. It is also sometimes seen in Israel amongst families from Eastern Europe who have resettled there.
Variations of the surname Antonov
The surname Antonov or Antonoff is a common Russian and Eastern European surname and has many variants and spellings. Variants of this name include Antonoff, Antonovich, Antanovitch, Anotonvich, Antonowitsch, Antanovsky, Antanovski, and Antannuich. It is also found in other forms such as the Croatian Antonović, Bulgarian Antonov, Ukrainian Antonovych and Czech Antonovitch.
In many countries, this name has evolved from its original form into different spellings as it has been passed down over the generations. In some cases, the surname may have also changed over the years due to linguistic and cultural influences. For example, the Russian form of the name, Antonov, may appear as Antonoff, Antonovitch or even Antonowitch in other countries.
The surname Antonov may also take the form of other Slavic surnames, such as Antanovsky, Antonovych or Antanovskyy. In Armenia, the name is often spelled as Antanovyan. Other common variants of the name include Antonuvich, Antonavich, Antonovich, Antonovits, Andonovits and Antanoveli.
The surnames Antonov and Antonoff share a common origin, with some etymologists suggesting that it stems from the given name Anton. The Russian word for ‘son’ is also Anton, meaning that this surname could also be a patronymic name derived from ‘son of Anton.’ Hence, the surname could have originally referred to ‘the son of Anton’ or simply ‘the son.’
Famous people with the name Antonov
- Sergei Antonov: a Russian circus artist and winner of numerous international acrobatic competitions.
- Vadim Antonov: a Russian racer and multiple champion of the Russian Circuit Racing Series.
- Anatoly Antonov: a prominent Russian politician, diplomat and statesman, vice premier of the Soviet Union and later Russian ambassador to the United States.
- Alexander Antonov: a Russian cosmonaut who was the first non-American/non-Russian in the space shuttle program.
- Boris Antonov: a Russian businessman and founder of the banking group, B&N Bank.
- Alexander Antonov: a prominent Russian military commander, general of the Imperial Russian Air Force and later Soviet party leader who served in the second World War.
- Yuri Antonov: a Russian popular singer-songwriter and actor.
- Andrey Antonov: a famous Russian photographer and video director who was active in the 2000s.
- Ivan Antonov: a Russian aerialist and multiple champion of the World Cup in aerial skiing.
- Nikolai Antonov: a Russian artist and prominent figure of the Munich People's Art School in Germany.