Surname Nikoloff - Meaning and Origin

Nikoloff: What does the surname Nikoloff mean?

The last name Nikoloff is likely of Slavic and/or Bulgarian origin, derived from the masculine personal name “Nikol” or “Nikola”, which means “victory of the people” in a Slavic language. It is often found in Eastern European countries such as Bulgaria and Macedonia, as well as other former territories of the Soviet Union.

The Nikoloff family first appeared in records in the mid 18th century in the city of Stara Zagora in the Balkan Mountain range, which was part of the Ottoman Empire until the 19th century. Later records show the surname being used in many parts of Bulgaria and other regions.

The many possible spellings of the Nikoloff name, especially those with an ending in “ov” or “off”, are due to the Slavic influence of the language in the area. While these variants have altered the spelling and pronunciation of the name today, the meaning remains consistent; “victory of the people”.

Throughout history, the Nikoloff surname has been associated with strong family values, courage, and honor; from the Free Bulgarian movement in the 1800’s, to the family’s contributions in the social, legal, academic, and religious spheres. Today, the surname is widespread and has become a part of the fabric of many places and cultures.

Nikoloff: Where does the name Nikoloff come from?

The last name Nikoloff is most commonly found in countries that were formerly part of the Soviet Union. This includes places such as Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and the Baltic nations. It is also present in other Eastern European countries and, due to immigration, has been seen in the United States and Canada as well.

The exact origins of the name remain a mystery, but most linguists and experts have concluded that it either hails from the Slavic languages or is of Greek origin. A few linguists have even noted that the name could also be of Macedonian descent.

In Russia, Nikoloff is in the top 100 most common surnames. Across Europe, the surname records have been found as far back as the 15th Century and records from that era link the name to nobility and the wealthy upper-class. In the United States, the surname is rare, but it may be more common among families where Eastern European immigrants have settled.

In Russia and Ukraine, the surname has adapted to its local spelling with variations such as Mykola, Nikolay, and Nikolai also being seen. Despite its relative obscurity in other countries, many families have maintained the Nikoloff name for generations. As such, it remains a unique and interesting piece of Eastern European history.

Variations of the surname Nikoloff

The surname Nikoloff is a patronymic name of Russian, Bulgarian and Macedonian origin meaning "son of Nikolai". Variants, spellings and surnames for Nikoloff include:

Nikolayev, Nikolesev, Nikolaev, Nikolov, Nickelov, Nickeloff, Nikulov, Nikulev, and Nikolaenko.

In Russian, the surname “Nikoloyev” is thought to have stemmed from the name “Nikolai”, which means “victor”. This name is derived from the Greek word “Nikos”, which means “victory”. The surname in Russian also has an alternative spelling as “Nicolaev”.

In Eastern European countries such as Bulgaria and Macedonia, the surname Nikoloff is derived from the Greek word “Nikolaos”, meaning “victory”. The Bulgarian alternate spelling of this surname is “Nikulov”. In Macedonia, the surname can have the spelling of either “Nikolev” or “Nikovev”.

Throughout the world, the surname has many alternate spellings, including Nicolov, Nikolasov, Nicholaev, Nicolev, Nikolaeff, Nikolajev, Nikoloudis, Nikolaisen, and Nicoles. The surnames of Armenian origin share the same meaning as the Russian Nikoleyev, however, the Armenian spelling of this name is “Nikolian”.

The variations of the surname Nikoloff and its variants are numerous, and one’s family background can determine the spelling used in any part of the world.

Famous people with the name Nikoloff

• Darin Nikoloff: A professional endurance athlete, racer, and winner of adventure competitions.
• Marianna Nikoloff: Bulgarian opera star and mezzo-soprano. 3.Petar Nikoloff: Bulgarian actor and film director.
• Peter Nikoloff: Bulgarian politician from the Union of Democratic Forces.
• Nadia Nikoloff: Actress and film producer.
• Vessa Nikoloff: A Bulgarian folk singer.
• Lyubomir Nikoloff: Bulgarian architect and former head of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences.
• Dimiter Nikoloff: Bulgarian journalist and host of the Bulgarian version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?.
• Mitko Nikoloff: Bulgarian screenwriter, director and playwright.
• Tekla Nikoloff: Bulgarian artist and costume designer.
• Alexander Nikoloff: Ukrainian photojournalist and former editor-in-chief of the newspaper–Communism in Ukraine.
• Vladimir Nikoloff: Soviet World War II pilot and bore witness to the Battle of Kursk.
• Kazimir Nikoloff: Bulgarian born American artist who worked in both abstract and surrealist art.
• George Nikoloff: Canadian British-born actor in Bulgarian films and television series.
• Kostadin Nikolov: Bulgarian painter.
• Svetla Nikolova: Bulgarian actress.
• Konstantin Nikoloff: Russian film director.
• Nikolai Nikoloff: Russian Orthodox priest as well as a legal writer and publisher.
• Emir Nikoloff: Italian film mogul.
• Emil Nikoloff: Bulgarian born Australian author, plansman, civil engineer and insurance agent.

Other surnames

NikolovNikolovaNikolow

Comments or additions to the name "Nikoloff"

05.08.2024
The name seems to be derived from the Greek name "Nikolaos", a compound of "niki" ("νίκη", victory) and "laos" ("λαός", people), all the way down from Ancient Greek to Modern Greek. It's highly unlikely that it has a meaning in Bulgarian or any other language.