Surname Ovtchinnikov - Meaning and Origin
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Ovtchinnikov: What does the surname Ovtchinnikov mean?
The last name Ovtchinnikov is a common Russian surname, which is derived from the word “Ovtchina” meaning “shepherd” in old Russian language. Historically, the surname was likely a means of indicating a family’s occupation in the past. The root of the name is believed to have been used as a personal surname, and it is thought to have been first brought to Russia from Eastern Europe.
The Slavic people were descended from a nomadic tribe known as the Scythians who were known to be shepherds and nomads. After the invasions of Mongol and Tartar peoples this nomadic lifestyle was replaced by permanent settlements and agriculture. As such, the root of the surname was likely a signifier of people who continued the tradition of being shepherds as they were not able to take up another type of lifestyle due to the circumstances.
Today, the surname Ovtchinnikov is still common in Russia and many other European and Central Asian countries. People bearing the surname often take pride in their heritage because it is a symbol of ancestral lifestyle and culture. The name is often taken as a signifier of strength, endurance, and loyalty due to the nomadic tradition of its origin.
Order DNA origin analysisOvtchinnikov: Where does the name Ovtchinnikov come from?
The last name Ovtchinnikov, is a common surname today primarily in Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union. It is derived from the Russian word "ovtsa" meaning "sheep," combined with the suffix "-nikov," meaning "of the," making its literal meaning "of the sheep".
It is primarily found in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Latvia, and Slovakia, and can also be found in pockets in Kazakhstan, Lithuania, and Moldova. The variation Ovtchinnikova is a more common female rendition of the name.
It is one of the top three hundred most common surnames in Russia, with an estimated 64,564 contemporary bearers of the name, as determined by the Russian census of 2010.
In recent history, the most famous Ovtchinnikov to emerge from Russia was Evgeny Ovtchinnikov, a former cosmonaut who made three spaceflights in the 1970s and 1980s and also worked as a test pilot.
Despite this, the most well-known use of the name in more modern times is likely the circus performer Ivan Ovtchinnikov, known as the "human cannonball" for his impressive stunts and achievements as an aerial acrobat.
The last surname Ovtchinnikov is still going strong, and has frequently been bestowed upon numerous famous and accomplished people in recent years. It is the testament to the continuity and fortitude of Russian culture and heritage that a single last name has gathered so much power and respect.
Variations of the surname Ovtchinnikov
The surname Ovtchinnikov is a Russian patronymic surname, which takes its roots from the given name “Ovtchinnik” that refers to the possession of an oxen. It is commonly spelled Ovtchinnikov but there are many variants and spellings of the same which include Ovchinnikov, Ovchiinnikov, Ovchinnikoff, Ovchinnikova, Ovchinnikoff, Ovtsinnikov, and Ovtsinnikova.
The most common spelling of the Ovtchinnikov surname can take on a variety of surnames due to the many spelling variations in the Russian language. Other spellings of the surname may be spelled Ovchinnikov( for a male) or Ovchinnikova (for a female) and may include Ovchiinnikov, Ovchinnikoff, Ovtsinnikoff, Ovtsinnikov, and Ovtsinnikova, amongst other variant spellings.
In addition to the many variants of the Ovtchinnikov patronymic surname, there are also some regional differences in the surname. In some parts of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, the surname may be spelled with a “v”, whereas in the nearby Slavic language regions, the spelling may take on a “f”. There is also a variation in the spelling of the Ovtchinnikov surname occurring in the Soviet Union, with the “f” being replaced with a “t”.
Variants of the surname Ovtchinnikov include: Ovchinnikov (for a male) or Ovchinnikova (for a female), Ovchiinnikov, Ovchinnikoff, Ovtsinnikoff, Ovtsinnikov, and Ovtsinnikova, and in some cases with a “v” or “t” instead of “f”. People with the surname Ovtchinnikov may also have regional variants of the surname, such as Ovchinnikoff or Ovtsinnikov which may be used in the former Soviet Union. In some cases, Ovtchinnikov can become the mothers’ maiden name as well.
Famous people with the name Ovtchinnikov
- Dmitri Ovtchinnikov: a famous Russian figure skater, two time Olympic gold medalist.
- Stanislav Ovtchinnikov: a Russian actor who appeared in many films and television shows, most notably as the lead in the Russian Soviet-era film “Gulyayushchiy Tramvay”.
- Ivan Ovtchinnikov: a former Soviet football player and coach who set the record for most goals scored in a single season in the Soviet Top League.
- Viktor Ovtchinnikov: a Russian biathlete who has multiple medals in the World Championships, as well as a silver medal from the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.
- Pavel Ovtchinnikov: a Russian cyclist who was part of the gold medal winning team relay in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
- Oleg Ovtchinnikov: a Russian Inline Hockey World Champion in 2000.
- Alexey Ovtchinnikov: a Russian lawyer and former Speaker of the State Duma.
- Konstantin Ovtchinnikov: a Russian author and essayist, famous for his works on Russian spiritual culture.
- Yuri Ovtchinnikov: a Russian Olympic biathlete, who won the bronze medal at the 1992 Winter Olympics.
- Nataliya Ovtchinnikova: a Russian synchronized swimmer, and part of the team that won gold in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.