Surname Prokof - Meaning and Origin

Prokof: What does the surname Prokof mean?

The last name Prokof is a Slavic patronymic surname, which means it originated from the personal name of a father or ancestor. The name Prokof is derived from the Greek name Prokopios, which translates into English as “a website builder or successful/bright one”, and is often associated with the old Greek military title and a warrior-like strength. Prokofs are considered hard-working, reliable, loyal, and family oriented people who are highly motivated to achieve and go above and beyond in whatever tasks or goals they set for themselves. In their profession, Prokofs are very resilient and know the importance of dedication and hard work to reach the success they strive for.

Their personality can also be described as pragmatic, logical and analytical; they are inclined to think about the future and plan for it carefully before taking any steps. They can often spot patterns and trends in order to make the right decisions regarding problems. They often hold powerful positions such as CEOs, politicians, diplomats, lawyers, and business tycoons.

All in all, the Prokof name stands for a hard-working, intelligent, and successful individual who strives to make the most of any opportunity they get. People with the Prokof surname are often deemed reliable and can be counted on in times of need.

Prokof: Where does the name Prokof come from?

The last name Prokof is commonly found throughout Russia and many of the former Soviet Union countries, such as Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan, as well as in parts of Europe, including Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, and the Czech Republic. The last name Prokof is also spread throughout Central, South, and North America, and quite a few people with this surname have emigrated from their birthplace to other nations around the world.

In Russia, the last name Prokof is of Russian and Slavic origin. It is believed to have first been used as a name by members of the Christian church during the 16th century as a way to distinguish themselves from their peers. Over time, the name was adopted for use as a traditional family name alongside other Russian surnames. In Russia, Prokof is thought to have originated in Ukrainian regions and spread east, south, and north to other parts of the country.

In the United States, Prokof is most common among families of Eastern European descent. Many families with the name have been in the US since the 20th century, with the earliest recorded arrivals being in the early 1900s. Prokof is especially popular among those with Ukrainian and Russian backgrounds.

The surname is also reasonably widespread in South America, particularly in Colombia and Brazil, where it is thought to be a derivative of the original Russian spelling. Along with other surnames of Russian descent, Prokof is often encountered in other nations around its original homeland, such as Israel, Australia, and Germany.

Variations of the surname Prokof

The most frequently encountered surnames derived from the surname Prokof are Prokop, Prokopowicz, Prokopov, Prokopenko, Prokopenya, Prokopchik, Prokopchuk, Prokopyev, Prokopovich, and Prokopyuk.

In ancient times, the spelling of the surname Prokof was usually way more flexible and varied than it is today. For example, back in the 13th century the name of Prokop, a Bohemian parish, would be spelled differently depending on the scribe. Some of the variants included Prokov, Procov and Prokau.

The surname Prokof is also a variant of the surnames Prokeš, Proches, Prochař, and Prokich. The origin of the surname Prokof is a combination of various Slavonic names such as Proh and Kop meaning glory or fame and little or humble respectively.

In Russia, the surname Prokof is written with the Russian alphabet and has different spellings such as Прокофь Прокофъ Прокоф and Прокофыч.

Other variants of Prokof include Prokou, Prokos, Prokus, Prokoci, and Prokosch.

Overall, the surname Prokof is quite widespread and can be spelt in many different ways. No matter the spelling, all variants of the surname originate from the combination of Slavonic names Proh and Kop.

Famous people with the name Prokof

• Sergei Prokofiev: Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953) was a Russian composer who has been described as one of the most prolific and influential composers of the 20th century. His compositions span all major genres of classical and modern music, including symphonic, operatic, sacred oratorio, ballets, chamber music, and film scores. His works include the iconic Romeo and Juliet and Peter and the Wolf.
• Tom Prokop: Tom Prokop (1908-1995) was a prominent Czech pianist, organist, and composer who was active in both the classical and jazz scenes. He co-founded the Czech jazz band Hot Music in 1967 and wrote and arranged numerous works for it. He composed large-scale compositions, such as The Czech Suite for Orchestra and chorus, as well as many solo pieces such as his Toccata.
• Vladimir Prokofiev: Vladimir Prokofiev (1907-1994) was a Russian stage director, producer, actor, and the younger brother of composer Sergei Prokofiev. He was highly acclaimed during the era of Soviet cinema and was a behavioural role model for other cinematographers of the time. He directed films such as Novaya Zemlya, The Ninth Wave, Tsirk, and many others.
• Vladimir Prokofiev: Vladimir Prokofiev (1939-2020) was a sculptor and painter, as well as the nephew of Sergei Prokofiev. His works focused on landscape and still lifes, often combining traditional mediums such as oil paint and watercolour with modern techniques such as silhouette, collage, and photography. He is well known for his large-scale installations and projects in locations such as the Grand Palais, the Hermitage, the Farnsworth House, and others.
• Boris Prokofiev: Boris Prokofiev (1901-1953) was a cinematographer, a brother of Sergei Prokofiev and Vladimir Prokofiev, and a partner in the Prokofiev-Brockoff film production studio (United Express). He directed and photographed several documentaries and feature films, including such works as The Great Bear, Faust, and peoples’ October. Today his films are widely appreciated by cinephiles for their inventive use of the camera and bold aesthetic choices.

Other surnames

ProkoProkobProkofevProkofevaProkoffProkofievProkofievaProkofjewProkofyevProkopProkopecProkopeckProkopekProkopenkoProkopetsProkopetzProkopevProkopevaProkopezProkopfProkophProkopievProkopjewProkopovichProkopoviciusProkopowichProkopowiczProkopowitzProkoppProkosch