Surname Margulis - Meaning and Origin

Margulis: What does the surname Margulis mean?

The last name Margulis is derived from the Yiddish given name Margul, which means pearl. It is believed that the surname originated in the Ukraine. In the 17th century there was a large Jewish population from the Ukraine that settled in Latvia and Lithuania, which probably accounts for the surname being found in those countries.

The Margulis family began to spread out further, reaching Germany and even the United States. The Margulis name has been found in these countries since the 19th century.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, Margulis was a common Jewish name in Germany. The family was predominantly of the middle class, with most of the family members working as merchants, doctors, lawyers, or grocers.

It's possible the name is derived from the Yiddish word "magal," which means a circle or whirlpool, as in a river eddy. This name was often used as a metaphor for creative, powerful thought, which fits with the determination and ingenuity of the Margulis family.

The Margulis family is a diverse and multidimensional one. The surname Margulis stands as a reminder of the family’s Jewish heritage and the strength and courage it took to pass the name down through the ages.

Margulis: Where does the name Margulis come from?

Today, the last name Margulis is most commonly found amongst individuals of Eastern European ancestry. Within this demographic, the name is predominantly seen in Jewish communities, mainly of Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Lithuanian, Belarusian, and German descent.

Named after the city of Margonin in Poland, the surname Margulis is a toponymic name derived from a place. It’s unlikely that it descends from hereditary titles, as is common in other parts of the world.

In the United States, the Margulis family is concentrated on the East Coast. In States such as Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Maryland, the name is quite common. Large concentrations can also be seen in certain regions of Europe, such as Poland and Belarus.

In addition, descendants of the Margulis family have spread across numerous other countries, including Argentina, Israel, Canada, and Australia.

The popularity of the name varies depending on the region; however, it has retained a steady presence in many countries over the years. In recent years, notable individuals with the last name Margulis include the late evolutionary biologist Lynn Margulis and American politician Eliot Margulis.

Variations of the surname Margulis

The surname Margulis is believed to be of Jewish origin and is derived from two Hebrew words “mara” and “Geula” meaning “master” and “redemption” respectively. It is believed to refer to a “teacher” or “rabbi.”

The surname Margulis is also found in the form of the variants Margules, Margolis, and Margaliot. In some cases, the spelling of the surname is also seen as Margolis. Additionally, the surname may also be spelled as Marjules, Margolies, and Marjolis.

Apart from the variants mentioned above, other surnames of the same origin are Margules, Magal, Magulis, Margal, Marguli, Maral, Margalit, Margolin, Marjulis, Margool, Margul, Madgul, and Magul.

Variations of the surnames Margulis, such as Markelis, Markulis, Margolius, Margolus, and Marguel, can also be found. Additionally, other closely related surnames such as Margoulios, Margusc, Markelius, and Markellas may also be found.

The name Margulis is also seen as a given name in Jewish culture, where it is spelled as Margoolis. The meaning of the name is “teacher” or “master.”

In conclusion, the surname Margulis is found in multiple variants and spellings and is affiliated with many surnames of the same origins. The name is derived from the Hebrew words mara and geula, which imply respectively “master” and “redemption.” Consequently, the name is believed to refer to a “teacher” or “rabbi.”

Famous people with the name Margulis

• Lynn Margulis: Lynn Margulis was an American evolutionary theorist, originator of the autogenesis theory for the origin of eukaryotic cells, and winner of the National Medal of Science in 1999.
• Alexander Margulis: Alexander Margulis was a Jewish mathematician, zoologist and physicist known for his contributions in the field of Alexandrov spaces.
• Boris Margulis: Boris Margulis was a Russian mathematician and a member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. He was known for his work on topology, functional analysis, and dynamical systems.
• Sergei Margulis: Sergei Margulis was a prominent Soviet and Russian geologist, historian and writer, most notable for his contributions to the history of the Russian Far East.
• Carl Margulis: Carl Margulis was a Russian-American physicist and laser optics pioneer. He was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering in 1995.
• Yakov Margulis: Yakov Margulis was a Soviet mathematician and winner of the Lenin Prize for his contributions to ergodic theory and operator theory.
• Joseph Margulis: Joseph Margulis was a Russian musicologist, composer, and editor born in Kiev. He is best known for his scholarly publications on Russian composers, especially on Mikhail Glinka.
• Ralph Margulis: Ralph Margulis was an American astronomer and instrument designer who worked with the Mount Wilson Observatory and the Hale Solar Laboratory.
• Felix Margulis: Felix Margulis was a Russian-born physicist, mathematician and electronic engineer. He was a pioneer in the field of digital telephony and a leading inventor in the area of computer peripherals in the 1950s-1960s.

Other surnames

MargulesMargulies