Surname Wassilieff - Meaning and Origin

Wassilieff: What does the surname Wassilieff mean?

Wassilieff is a Russian surname derived from the old Slavic word for “large” or “great.” The name is generally used to refer to people of noble or aristocratic origin. Historically, Wassilieff could refer to families who had held significant positions of power within the Russian Empire. It is believed that the surname originated from the name of an influential family of warriors and landowners from the 16th century.

This surname has appeared in various forms including Vassilyev, Vasiliev, Wassilieff, and Vasilyevski. It is most commonly used among those of Russian and Ukrainian descent. Some of the earliest people who held this surname likely belonged to the petty nobility, or boyars, who bore the surname Wassiliyef. This noble family likely possessed land and titles, and their prosperity is likely reflected in their surname.

Today, the surname is associated with prosperity and a good quality of life, as those with this surname are often associated with wealth and success. The Wassilieff family also represents a successful legacy that has been passed down through many generations.

Although the meaning behind the name has evolved over time, it still carries its original connotations of nobility. It is a reminder of the power and success that some once held within the Russian Empire, and while people may no longer hold titles of nobility, they still carry the same sense of pride associated with this surname.

Wassilieff: Where does the name Wassilieff come from?

The Wassilieff surname is especially common today in the former Soviet Union. Wassilieff is a patronymic derived from the Russian first name Vasily or Vasiliev, which is still a popular Russian name today. The Wassilieff surname is also found in the Ukraine, Latvia, and other countries that comprise the old Russian Empire.

Because the former Soviet Union countries are largely Eastern Orthodox Christian, the family name was almost always used in its patronymic form, which means that it changed from generation to generation. For example, in Ukraine and Belarus, a married woman would take her husband's first name and add the suffix "-ovna" to the end, and a married man would take his wife's first name and add "-ovich," which means son of. A single woman would take her father's name and add "-ovna," and a single man would add "-ovich." So male descendants of a Wassilieff family might today be Wassilevich, Wassilievich, or Wassiliev.

The Wassilieff surname is also common in the United States, Canada, and other Western countries due to immigration from the countries of the former Soviet Union. In such countries, Wassilieff is more likely to remain unchanged because relatives do not generally intermarry.

Overall, the Wassilieff surname is common today primarily in the former Soviet Union countries and other diaspora communities. It remains a popular patronymic surname in many Eastern European countries, and appears with some regularity in North American records.

Variations of the surname Wassilieff

The surname Wassilieff is derived from the Russian word “vasiliev”, meaning “son of Basil”. The following are the variants, spellings, and surnames for the same origin of Wassilieff:

Variants:

Vasil'ev, Vasilyev, Vasiliev, Vasilev

Spellings:

Vasilief, Vasiliefe, Vasiliyev, Vassilief, Vassiliefe, Vassiliyev

Surnames:

Vasilyonok, Vassilyonok, Vasyliev, Vassyliev, Vasyliuk, Vassyliuk, Vasylevich, Vassylevich, Vasylik, Vassylik, Vasilevskiy, Vassilevsky.

Wassilieff can also be seen spelled as Vassilieff and Vassilief.

The other surnames of the same origin are used both in Russia and the rest of the world, mainly in Ukraine, Belarus and other Eastern European countries. They are all derived from the given name 'Basil'.

Moreover, there are some other surname derivatives of the given name 'Basil' that have resulted from various suffixes and regional variations: Vasil'chenko, Vasilkovich, Vasil'chik, Vasilenko, Andrashkovich, Baslyak, Bazylev, Bazylevych, Bazyliuk, Bazilchuk, Basilenko, Basilov, Vasilevska, Vasilyuk, Vasylenko.

All of the above variants, spellings and surnames all derive from the given name 'Basil' and have resulted in different surnames that are unique to their region and particular origin.

According to some reports, Wassilieff is actually a rare family name, mainly found in Russia, Ukraine and Germany.

Famous people with the name Wassilieff

• Mary Wassilieff: Australian-born painter and public figure.
• Louise Wassilieff: Armenian-born Australian community leader, philanthropist and welfare worker.
• Peter Wassilieff: Australian National University professor of philosophy.
• Robert Wassilieff: Australian public servant, lawyer and diplomat.
• Don Wassilieff: Australian business leader, philanthropist and gardener.
• Eliza Wassilieff: New Zealand social justice advocate, politician and feminist.
• Paul Wassilieff: Australian artist, designer and commercial creator.
• Natalia Wassilieff: Armenian-born Australian-based businesswoman, philanthropist and advocate for social reform.
• Pimee Wassilieff: Armenian-born Australian Lawyer and refugee advocate.
• Charles Wassilieff: Armenian-born Australian medical practitioner and community leader.

Other surnames

Wassilie