Surname Brokoff - Meaning and Origin

Brokoff: What does the surname Brokoff mean?

The last name Brokoff is of German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) origin. It is an occupational surname typically associated with brokers. It is believed that the surname is derived from the German word "Broker" meaning "broker" or "middleman" and the Middle High German word "kopf" meaning "head".

The occupational name was originally granted to a broker, a trader who acted as an intermediary between two people or groups in a business transaction, and the addition of the suffix "kopf" to "broker" is a mark of respect and status. The family name likely originated in the Middle Ages, when Germany was divided up into small duchies and cities had a Broker who acted on behalf of their lord or city-state, negotiating deals and agreements between them.

Brokoff is still found primarily as a family name in Germany and among Jewish families, who use the name to signify their proud heritage. Most likely, the original Brokoff was a great broker, a skilled and trusted negotiator who was respected for his expertise. Although the specific lineage of the original Brokoff family is unknown, the surname serves as a reminder of a long and proud history of businessmen who were pivotal in important, often large-scale, negotiations.

Brokoff: Where does the name Brokoff come from?

The last name Brokoff is most common in the Ukraine, though it can also be found in a variety of countries in Eastern Europe, such as Russia, Belarus, Moldova, and Poland. It is believed to have originated in the Ukraine, where populations of people with the Brokoff surname are still concentrated today. Aside from Eastern Europe, small pockets of Brokoffs can also be found in other parts of the world, such as the United States, the UK, Canada, Australia, and even India.

The Brokoff family name is derived from the Slavic words “bork” and “ov’’, which together mean “crag” or “pinnacle”. This suggests that the original Brokoff ancestor was a person who lived on a mountaintop or crag that overlooked a village. During medieval times, the Brokoff surname was commonly used by mountain-dwellers who earned a living by providing protection or defense services.

The Brokoff surname can be found in many variations. In Europe, the spelling is often varied to include aleatory tailings such as one B, two B and three B’s at the end of the name. In the United States, the surname is often seen spelled as “Brockoff” or “Brokofsky”. As a result, people with the same surname may not even be aware that they are related on a genetic level.

Variations of the surname Brokoff

Brokoff is a Jewish surname of Ashkenazi origin which can be spelled in many different ways. It is derived from the German word ‘brechen’, meaning ‘to break’ or ‘to shatter’. Common variants of the name include Brocko, Brockoff, Brocke, Brockovitz, Brockovits, Brokaw, Brokowski, Brockowski, Bronkoff, Bronkovitz, and Bronkowitz. Additionally, it is occasionally spelled with an extra ‘f’ at the end, as in Brokofff or Brockofff.

In its anglicized form, the surname has also been translated into surnames such as Bricker, Brickman, Brickner, Brickerman, Brick, Brickhoff, or Brocker. It is also possible that the surname arose from a Baltic language, such as Frokoff or Frochart.

Brokoff is fairly rare surname, and it is thought to have first been seen as a single surname in the 17th century, when it was first used by a single family living in the Baltic area. It’s also possible that the surname could have originated with an ancient Hebrew root, as the name is sometimes translated as Barcof or Birkovich. It is believed that the surname is not related to the English or German surnames Brock or Brockman, which have separate origins.

In the United States, the surname accounts for fewer than 500 people, so it is still considered relatively rare. However, it is most common in the Eastern European countries of Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, and Lithuania.

Famous people with the name Brokoff

• Al Brokoff: American installation artist and sculptor
• Stanislav Brokoff: Czech sculptor
• David Brokoff: Israeli singer-songwriter
• Peter Brokoff: Czech hockey player
• Bob Brokoff: American football player
• Angel Brokoff: Cuban musician and composer
• Joshua Brokoff: Israeli basketball player
• Zbynek Brokoff: Czech film director
• Willard Brokoff: American painter
• Duane Brokoff: American commercial artist and art director
• Frank Brokoff: Canadian painter
• Karel Brokoff: Czech composer
• John Brokoff: British amphibian biologist
• David Brokoff Jr.: American president and CEO of Equus Technology Solutions
• Vibeke Brokoff: Danish novelist
• Louise Brokoff: American filmmaker, television producer and director
• Mark Brokoff: former chief financial officer of Allstate Insurance Company
• Rachel Brokoff: Israeli chef, restaurateur and cookbook author
• Marvin Brokoff: American lawyer and former president of Drexel University
• Vlado Brokoff: Bosnian former football referee

Other surnames

BrokobBrokofBrokopBrokopfBrokophBrokoppBrokötter