Surname Simeonow - Meaning and Origin
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Simeonow: What does the surname Simeonow mean?
The last name Simeonow is of Bulgarian origin and derives from the Greek word simos, which means "flat-nosed." It is most commonly found among Bulgarian Roman Catholics whose ancestors hailed from Romania and Italy.
The Simeonow family was traditionally comprised of merchants, landowners, farmers, and small business owners. Those with the last name Simeonow tend to be proud of their heritage, with many of them having an in-depth knowledge of their family's history and origins.
In Bulgaria, there is a saying that someone with the last name of Simeonow is unusually headstrong, generous, and courageous - qualities often attributed to those with the surname.
Over the years, the Simeonow family has moved to various countries throughout Europe, North America, and South America. Wherever they settle, those with the last name Simeonow tend to bring with them an old-fashioned work ethic, resilience, and a strong commitment to family values.
Today, Simeonows are found in many different countries. They remain deeply connected to their Eastern European roots while embracing new cultures, traditions, and values. The Simeonow family is a large, diverse and well respected one with a long and rich history.
Order DNA origin analysisSimeonow: Where does the name Simeonow come from?
The last name Simeonow is found primarily in Bulgaria and other Balkan countries. In Bulgaria, the surname is attributed to the Aromanian community, who have been present in the area since the Middle Ages. There are also smaller populations of Simeonow outside of the Balkans, particularly in parts of Central and Eastern Europe.
In Bulgaria, it is estimated that the Simeonow surname is among the 200 most common surnames in the country. While unconfirmed, it is possible that the surname is also common among ethnic Bulgarians, since the Aromanian diaspora in Bulgaria is highly intermingled with the local population.
In the Republic of Moldova, the Simeonow surname is among the top 300 most popular. There is also a scattered population of Simeonows in Turkey, mostly the descendants of refugees from the Balkan Wars. Smaller populations of Simeonows can also be found in countries such as Germany, Canada, the United States, and France.
Overall, the last name Simeonow is widely distributed across the Balkans and further beyond. Its presence in Bulgaria has been known since the Middle Ages, while newer migrations of Simeonows have established linages outside of the region.
Variations of the surname Simeonow
The surname Simeonow is derived from the personal name Simon, which was an ancient Hebrew name meaning 'he has heard' in biblical Hebrew. Common spellings for Simeonow are Simeonov, Symeonov, and Simyonov.
Simeonow is mainly found in the Balaklava of the Ukraine, but is also popular in Bulgaria and Russia. The surname is more common in Ukraine than in other countries. Variants of the Simeonow surname include Simenov, Symeonow, Symianov, Simanov, and Semonov.
In some cases, Simeonow is also spelled as Simeono or Symeono. Other related surnames of the same origin include Simonov and Semeonoff.
The Simeonovskaya family tree is spread across many countries and cities, with some of its earliest recorded members living in the Russian empire. Since then, numerous members of the family have settled in other European countries, including Germany, Denmark, Finland, Latvia, and Poland.
The Simeonow surname has also been known to be used as an alias or middle name in certain cases. For example, the Russian-born Danish painter Valentin S. Simeonow was known by the alias Valentin Semyonov. He was born in Russia, but moved to Denmark in 1918.
The Simeonow surname is an old one, with roots in Israel and the surrounding region. It’s carried by families all over the world, and its many spelling variations reflect the distance this surname has traveled.
Famous people with the name Simeonow
- Julian Simeonow; a German professional volleyball player, known for his successful career playing for the VfB Friedrichshafen.
- Nikolay Simeonov; a Bulgarian wrestler who represented Bulgaria twice at the Olympics, winning a silver in 1972 and a bronze in 1968.
- Christopher Simeonow; a Ghanaian sprinter, who won the 2013 African U-18 Championships in the 100m and 200m races.
- Dmitry Simeonov; a Russian theatre director and one of the founders of the Taganka Theatre in Moscow.
- Stephen Simeonow; a British entrepreneur and founder of a number of businesses which support the development of start-ups.
- Laurits Simeonow; an Estonian musician who is best known as a member of the popular band, Ignatius.
- Gorka Simeonow; an Argentinian professional basketball player, who currently plays for the San Martín de Corrientes of the Liga Nacional de Básquetball.
- Teodora Simeonowa; a Bulgarian folk-singer who was awarded the honorary title “People’s Artist of Bulgaria” in 1976.
- Vladimir Simeonow; a Russian sculptor who was responsible for a number of monuments and memorials throughout Russia.
- Krassimir Simeonow; a Bulgarian Politician who served as Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria from 1997 to 1999.