Surname Korolev - Meaning and Origin

Korolev: What does the surname Korolev mean?

The last name Korolev (or possibly Koroleva) is a Slavic surname derived from the Russian word for “king” and means “King’s son” or “descendant of a king”. The common suffix “ev” or “ova” relates to the Russian custom of using patronymics naming, where the father’s first name is adopted as the surname of children with the addition of the suffixes.

It is unclear if the Korolev surname was given to someone who descended from a line of royalty (most notably, the Tsar), or if the surname was merely intended to imply respect and power, without any kind of actual royal ancestry.

Korolev is now likely to be found among many ethnic Russian speakers, though it may have become less popular in recent years due to its association with Soviet rocket scientist, Sergei Pavlovich Korolev, who was known as the father of the Soviet Space Program. The name is unlikely to occur often outside of the former Soviet Union, as the majority of Russians live in small family units which can be difficult to track.

Korolev is an undeniably powerful and regal-sounding surname, one that likely still garners respect regardless of its true origins. It’s certainly an interesting family name which would be a great conversation starter between friends and family, and could be a great way to connect with your own roots, especially if you can trace them back to the days of royal dynasties.

Korolev: Where does the name Korolev come from?

The surname Korolev is a patronymic surname with its origin stemming from the old Russian personal name 'Korolya' or 'Korolyov', which is derived from the Russian word for king 'Korol'. The name was initially used to distinguish people of noble or regal descent and was widely used throughout Russia during the 16th and 17th centuries. Today, the surname Korolev is still widely found throughout Russia, as well as other Eastern European countries, such as Belarus and Ukraine. It is also used in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and other European countries, with large concentrations of Russian emigrants.

In the United States, the Korolev surname is most commonly found concentrated in New York, California, and Pennsylvania, with New York having the highest concentration of individuals with the surname. The name is particularly common in the larger cities of these states, such as New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Chicago.

In the United Kingdom, recent data has revealed the most significant concentration of Korolev surnamed individuals in Greater London, with concentrations also seen in the East Midlands, South East, and North East regions of the country.

The Korolev surname is also widely used in Germany, where it is seen in most of the major cities of the country. The most prominent areas of concentration can be found in Bavaria, Saxony, Berlin, Hamburg, and Saxony-Anhalt.

In addition to these countries, the surname is also widely used in other parts of the world, such as Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan.

As the surname has been in use since the 16th century, it is clear to see why it is still common today and dispersed throughout many parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Korolev

The surname Korolev is a Russian surname with several possible spellings and variants. The most common variants include Korolov, Koroleff, and Korolovitch. In addition, Korolyov and Korolyova can also be used.

Korolev comes from the Russian word "Korol'", which means "king". This name is most likely derived from a nickname referring to an ancestor who was perceived as generous, brave, or noble. The surname likely spread through differences in dialect and pronunciation of the name.

Different forms of the surname can appear in other Slavic countries, particularly the Ukraine and Belarus. In Belarus, Korolev is spelled Korolau and Korolay, and in the Ukraine, it is spelled Korolyo, Korolova, Korolyva, and Korylov.

In other countries, the surname has been anglicised with different spellings. In the United States, Italy, and France, the surname often appears as Koroleff, and in Germany, the name is spelled as Korolow.

The names Karolyov and Karolyeva are also sometimes used in Eastern Europe. This may be the same family but is a more traditional spelling in Armenian and Russian.

Overall, if Korolev is the surname you are looking for, it may appear in numerous forms in various countries within and outside of Eastern Europe. The spelling should be taken into account when researching genealogy records in order to find the correct family.

Famous people with the name Korolev

• Sergei Korolev: also known as the "Father of Practical Astronautics", Sergei Pavlovich Korolev was a leading Soviet rocket engineer and spacecraft designer in the early days of space exploration and the Space Race.
• Ivan Korolev: a Russian artist and sculptor, Ivan Yafimovich Korolev was born in 1954 in Kandalaksha, Russia. Known for his combination of traditional Russian techniques with surrealism, he is noted for creating art in a wide variety of styles.
• Tatiana Koroleva: a Russian figure skater, she competed both in international and professional events. She was a member of the Soviet National Team for several years and won the World Professional Championships in 1990.
• Roza Maksimovna Koroleva: a Soviet screening actress, she was best known for her roles in comedies such as White Bim Black Ear and Dobro Pozhalovat, Oranzevo Fondume.
• Andrei Korolev: a Russian architect, he is best known for his work on the Russkiy Restaurant in Kazan. He also designed the facade of the Moscow planetarium, the butterfly-shaped Memorial Church of St. John of the Ladder in Novosibirsk, and the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.
• Tatiana Korsakova-Koroleva: a Russian concert pianist and recording artist. She has performed throughout Europe, the United States, Japan, and Korea, and has released several albums.
• David Alexander Korolev: a British actor and theatre director, he is best known for his work on "The Dream at the Almeida Theatre" in London.
• Maria Koroleva: a former Soviet tennis player from Russia, she was a member of the Russian national tennis team and won several international tournaments.

Other surnames

KorolKorolczukKorolenkoKorolewKoroliukKoroljowKoroljukKorolkovKorollKorolowKorolyovKorolyuk