Surname Antonovich - Meaning and Origin
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Antonovich: What does the surname Antonovich mean?
The last name Antonovich is derived from the Old Slavic personal name Anton, which is a variation of the Greek name Antōnios. Anton is derived from the Greek word ‘anto’, meaning against or opposition. It was used as a personal name in Russia in the late Middle Ages, and became a patronymic name for the son of Anto or Anton, such as ‘Ivanovich’, meaning ‘son of Ivan’.
The suffix ‘vich’ is a common element found in many eastern European surnames. It is related to the Latin word ‘vicus’, meaning settlement, which implies a smaller settlement other than a major town or city.
The Antonovich surname is found in Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Poland and Germany.
People with the last name Antonovich are often associated with wealth and nobility, as the Antonov family were once one of the most influential royal families in eastern and northern Europe. They were high-ranking courtiers in the court of Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky in twelfth-century Kiev and had close ties with the Byzantine Empire and the Papacy.
While not as prolific as some other surnames originating in Russia, the Antonovich name still carries a certain level of prestige and respect in some households.
Order DNA origin analysisAntonovich: Where does the name Antonovich come from?
The last name Antonovich is most commonly found in Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union. In Russia, there are around 5,000 people who bear this name. In countries like Belarus, Ukraine, and Lithuania, the number is even higher. The name is also common among some diaspora communities who left the Soviet Union in the wake of its dissolution, such as those in the United States and Israel.
In the United States, the last name Antonovich is especially prevalent among Russian immigrants. In fact, it is one of the most common Russian surnames found in the United States. According to a study from the 2000 census, there were around 1,800 Antonoviches living in the US at the time.
The Antonovich surname is also found among various other countries. For instance, surveys in Canada and the United Kingdom have found a few hundred individuals with this name. Meanwhile, the name happens to be quite common in some German-speaking countries, such as Austria, where it is related to the Slavic language.
The last name Antonovich has origins dating back centuries. It is said to derive from the name Antonius, a form of “Anthony” which was popularized in medieval Europe. The name familiar to us today may have been influenced by the Russian language, which is known to use the -ovich ending to form surnames.
Variations of the surname Antonovich
Antonovich is a surname of Slavic origin, popular in many countries in the former Soviet Union. The most common spelling of the Antonovich surname is Antonovitch, Antonovitš or Antanovich. However, it can be spelt many other ways.
In Poland, the surname can be found spelt as Antonowic, Antonowiec, Antonowicz or Antanowicz. Belarusians often spell it Antonavich, Antonavic, Antonauich or Antanauich. In the Czech Republic, it is usually spelt Antonawic or Antonawec, while in Slovakia it is usually Antonovic or Antonovicova. In some parts of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, it is spelled Antonoviche.
In addition to its many regional spelling variations, the Antonovich surname also has various spelling variations in other languages. In Romanian, it is Antonovici, while in Italian, it is Antonovich. In Spanish and Catalan, it is Antonovichs or Antonovitche, and in Portuguese, it is Antonovich. In Greek, the spelling is typically Antonovitsios or Antonovitsiou.
No matter how it is spelt, the Antonovich surname is found in several countries of the former Soviet Union, such as Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. It is also found in some Eastern European countries, such as Poland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
In some cases, Antonovich is used as a middle or hyphenated name, for example, Vasil'ev-Antonovich or Ulyanova-Antonovich. In other cases, Antonovich may be combined with other surnames to form new last names such as Malchenko-Antonovich or Savchenko-Antonovich.
Famous people with the name Antonovich
- Igor Antonovich: a Ukrainian entrepreneur and investor specialising in developing 'smart cities'.
- Dennis Antonovich: a former American football player who played for the Minnesota Vikings.
- Mihail Antonovich: a Russian journalist, presenter and scientist best known for his work at Russia Today.
- Stephanie Antonovich: a professional ballerina and award-winning choreographer.
- Ivan Antonovich: a Ukranian military leader during the Second World War.
- Alexei Antonovich: a prominent Russian film producer and director.
- Vasile Antonovich: a prominent Moldovan footballer and coach.
- Andriy Antonovich: a Ukranian entrepreneur who launched a range of innovative consumer products.
- Konstantin Antonovich: a Russian politician and public figure known for his staunch conservative views.
- Oleg Antonovich: a Russian chess grandmaster and mathematics professor.