Surname Boiar - Meaning and Origin

Boiar: What does the surname Boiar mean?

The last name Boiar is of Slavic origin, and comes from the word "boiar" which means "of higher rank". It is believed to be a common title given to important people in medieval Kievian Rus, and eventually evolved into a surname for some families.

The roots of the name Boiar go back to the earliest Slavic societies, and its implications revolve around noble and influential status. In this sense, Boiar is akin to words such as "lord", "duke", and other such titles. This implies that families bearing this last name likely had some kind of upper-class background, or at least were of a higher status within their local communities at some point.

In terms of the modern-day usage of the surname Boiar, it is found in a number of different countries and regions, including Russia and former Soviet republics, where it carries a relatively high frequency. The name also appears in smaller numbers in Poland, Romania, and Ukraine.

Overall, the last name Boiar is highly indicative of someone of higher rank, wealth, and influence, which has been a consistent theme throughout history. This last name carries a lot of importance, and will continue to be associated with powerful individuals and families for many years to come.

Boiar: Where does the name Boiar come from?

The surname Boiar is derived from the Russian word “боярин” (boyarin), which was a title of rank in the Russian nobility, roughly equivalent to the modern English term “baron.” This surname is primarily found in Russia and the former Soviet Union countries. It is also quite common in some parts of Europe, especially the countries which were once part of the Soviet Union, as well as in parts of the Middle East and North Africa.

In population data, the last name Boiar is most popular in Romania, followed by Moldova, Serbia, Bulgaria, Belarus, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and the Russian Federation. According to data from the 2002 Russian population census, it is the 135th most common surname in Russia, and is estimated to be held by more than 33,821 people.

In the United States, the name is present in some areas with a high concentration of Russian emigrants, such as parts of New York City and in some states of the Midwest and of the Pacific Coast. However, it is not particularly common, and the total number of people with the Boiar name in the US is estimated to be less than 10,000.

Variations of the surname Boiar

The surname Boiar has several variants and spellings, including Hoyar, Bojar, Bujor, Boer, Bujare, Boir, Boyar, Boiaru, Bojara, Boiere and Boiariu.

The prefixes "Boj," "Boi" or "Buj" are drawn from an older word boiariu, which means "nobleman" in Romanian. This word can be traced back to the Proto-Indo European root bhides, which means "lord" or "lord of the house."

This family name has been in use since the Middle Ages, when there were two classes of aristocrats in Romania: Boyars and Voivodes. A Boyar was a member of the aristocracy in Romania who was granted lands, titles, and privileges by the Voivode.

The Boyars were usually the richer and more influential members of the aristocracy. This association with power and wealth has resulted in a strong interest in the origin of this surname in recent years.

The word boiariu is still used in Romania to refer to members of the aristocracy or people with powerful political connections. As time has passed, people have taken on other spellings and variants of this surname, including Hoyar, Bojar, Bujor, Boer, Bujare, Boir, Boyar, Boiaru, Bojara, Boiere and Boiariu.

The origin of this family name is now associated with the traditional power class of Romania, even though its current usage remains largely personal. This is an understanding rooted in the past and continues to shape the identity of bearers of this surname.

Famous people with the name Boiar

• Stelian Boiar: a famous Romanian lawyer and professional football player;
• Ciprian Boiar: a Romanian football coach, currently working with the Under 17 Romanian national team;
• Manuel Boiar: an Emmy award nominated actor and stuntman from Romania;
• George Boiar: a renowned painter from Romania;
• Costin Boiar: a former Romanian Olympic swimmer;
• Stela Boiar: a Romanian actress and comedian;
• Xavier Boiar: a professional disc jockey, currently based in Madrid;
• Constantin Boiar: a former Romanian ski champion;
• Silviu Boiar: a Roman musician and composer, specialized in percussion;
• Zoltan Boiar: a former Romanian footballer and coach.

Other surnames

Boiara