Surname Chanoff. - Meaning and Origin
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Chanoff.: What does the surname Chanoff. mean?
The surname Chanoff is derived from the Middle High German word "chanof," meaning "shepherd." The original bearers of the name would have likely been shepherds, likely with a dominant presence in central Europe. This is suggested by the scattered locational information associated with the name, which includes variations such as "Chonof," "Chanow," and "Chanove."
The surname Chanoff is also connected to Yiddish language, suggesting that the original bearers likely spoke the language. This observation is bolstered by the name's prevalence in current day Poland, Hungary, Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, and the Czech Republic, which were all once part of the larger Jewish collective (known as Ashkenaz).
The Chanoff surname is also mentioned in written historical documents, generally in regards to births, marriages, civil records, and so on. These documents, which trace back to the 16th century, provide evidence of the surname's ancient origins.
The Chanoff surname has spread far from its roots in Central Europe, with references being found in the United States and Canada. Today, many people of Jewish descent bear the surname, signifying their connection to the original Jewish community in Central Europe and subsequent worldwide dispersal of the Jewish populous.
Order DNA origin analysisChanoff.: Where does the name Chanoff. come from?
The last name Chanoff is most commonly seen in the United States, particularly in large cities such as New York City, Boston, and Los Angeles. It can also be found in Israel and other countries worldwide. The name is of Jewish origin and is derived from the Hebrew word “chanan,” which means “grace” or “mercy.”
The Jewish community that migrated from eastern European countries to the United States during the early to mid-20th century, particularly New York City, formed a large population of people with the Chanoff surname. As the years passed, this can be seen in many individuals living in various cities across the US. In fact, besides New York City, Boston, and Los Angeles, the name is now also commonly seen in large metropolitan areas such as Miami, Chicago, Houston, and Philadelphia.
In addition to the United States, the Chanoff surname can also be found in Tel Aviv, Israel, where a significant proportion of the population is of Jewish descent. This is particularly true since Israel has become a major destination for religious and secular Jews alike, as they seek a more secure homeland. As these exiles move to Israel, they tend to take the Chanoff surname with them, perpetuating its presence across multiple countries.
Overall, the Chanoff last name has great presence in the United States and Israel and possibly in other countries as well. While the name is certainly not as common as Smith, Johnson, or Brown, its presence is significant among American and Israeli Jewish populations.
Variations of the surname Chanoff.
The surname Chanoff is a variant of a Jewish surname of Eastern European origins (originating from Poland). The different spellings or variants of Chanoff include Chanofsky, Chanawitz, Chanowitz, and Channovitz. Each of these spellings is interchangeable in most cases and may be found in various records and documents.
The Chanofsky spelling is primarily attributed to communities living in western Ukraine, such as the cities of Lviv and Rivne. Channowitz and Channovits can be found primarily with families living in Belarus and Lithuania, as well as in Ukraine.
The Chanawitz variation of the surname can be found with individuals from Lithuania, Belarus, and Russia. This name can also be encountered in the United States amongst immigrants from the same countries.
Other, less common, variants of Chanoff include Chanalevich, Chemanovits, and Chemanofsky. While generally from the same geographic regions, the use of these variants is localized and can most often be found amongst family members of the same household.
No matter which variant of the Chanoff surname is carried, all of the derivations have the same origin and are likely to originate from the same source.
Famous people with the name Chanoff.
- David Chanoff: Nonfiction writer
- Philip Chanoff: Investigative journalist and documentary filmmaker.
- Peter Chanoff: Cinematographer
- David Chanoff: Author of "The Fourth Seed: A Play in Three Acts"
- Paul Chanoff: Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist
- Michael Chanoff: Radio personality and entrepreneur
- Arthur Chanoff: American appellate lawyer
- Sabrina Chanoff: Co-founder of the refugee resettlement organization 1993
- Nicholas Chanoff: Musician
- Mireille Chanoff: Culinary historian and food writer