Surname Worobjew - Meaning and Origin
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Worobjew: What does the surname Worobjew mean?
The last name Worobjew is a Russian surname that is derived from the combination of two words: “вор” (“thief”) and “жить” (“to live”). It is believed that the original meaning of the surname was “thief of life” or “thieving life”, in reference to those that had to resort to a life of crime to survive.
Over time, the surname has evolved to become “Worobjew”, and no longer carries the negative connotations associated with its ancestral form. Indeed, those with the surname now are proud to be their family name, despite its somewhat criminal origin. It carries an association with defiance and resilience, which is often reflected in the personalities of those with the surname.
Despite its criminal origin being long forgotten, Worobjew remains an interesting and noteworthy piece of Russian history. It serves as a reminder of times past, when those who lived by the law of the land were not immune to poverty and the consequent necessity to turn to more nefarious activities in order to survive in a harsh and unforgiving environment.
Today, Worobjew is the proud surname of many people throughout Russia, and while its origin may have been in criminal activity, it is now a name of strength and courage, and serves as a testament to the ongoing battle against adversity and poverty, of which Russia's people have often experienced.
Order DNA origin analysisWorobjew: Where does the name Worobjew come from?
The Worobjew surname is most commonly found in Russia and Belarus today. It is thought to have come from the Slavic root “wóro” meaning “work” and “ivŭ” meaning “son of”. The Worobjew surname is thought to have been brought to Russia by the westward migration of the early East Slavic people around the 10th to 12th centuries.
Since this time, the Worobjews have spread from their homeland of Belarus and Russia throughout Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Notably, individuals of the Worobjew family trace their origins or currently live in countries such as Poland, the Ukraine, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Belarus, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Israel, the United States, and Canada.
Surnames were not legally adopted in Russia until the 1700s, so it is unclear how far back the Worobjew ancestry can be traced in the country. Currently, there is an estimated 5,000 individuals with the Worobjew name throughout the world, though this number could be slightly inaccurate due to a lack of recent censuses throughout many countries, as well as their nomadic past.
Generally, the Worobjew family is believed to belong to the East Slavic, Jewish, and Ukrainian diasporas. The Worobjew name represents a select group of very diverse people who have maintained a distinct surname throughout time, demonstrating immense resilience and solidarity, even when dispersed across the world.
Variations of the surname Worobjew
The surname Worobjew is of Germanic and Slavic origin and is a variation of the surname Warabjew. It has numerous variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin.
Variants of the surname Worobjew include Warabjewski, Warabjewskij, Warabjew, Warobjewski, and Warabjewska. All these variants differ slightly in spelling and pronunciation, due to the orthographical and phonological changes in the surname over time.
Spellings of the surname Worobjew include Varabjewska, Vorebuska, Worebuska, Warubjewska, Worubena, Warubiska, Warabjewka, Warbubiwka, Varabjewska, Warabjusska, Werabjewska, and Warojewska.
Similar surnames with the same origin are Worabow, Woropaj, Wruszczewski, Wroblewski, Wroblinski, Wrobiecki, Wroblewska, and Wroblewski, among others.
Overall, the surname Worobjew has numerous variants, alternate spellings and surnames of the same origin. It has undergone considerable changes over time, and different ethnic groups within its origin share similar spellings and surnames.
Famous people with the name Worobjew
- Ben Worobjew: American professional goalkeeper, currently playing for the New York Red Bulls.
- Valery Worobjew- Russian weightlifter, 2 times gold medalist at the 1986 European Championships.
- Felix Worobjew: German actor, known for his roles in the films "Der Postillon" (2015) and "Der Himmel über Berlin" (1986).
- Amy Worobjew: British artist known for her large-scale abstract mural works.
- Olga Worobjew- Russian fashion designer and founder of the brand "Oleg Worobjew".
- Oleg Worobjew: Ukrainian artist, popular for his paintings and sculptures, most notable for his works on series of nude portraits of Slavic women.
- Baba Worobjew: Ghanaian musician, member of the 'Jamaican' reggae band 'Babarazzi'.
- Laura Worobjew: Irish singer-songwriter, lead vocalist in the band 'Little Lullabye'.
- Orlando Worobjew: American professional baseball player, currently playing for the Atlanta Braves.
- Milosch Worobjew: Former professional footballer from Serbia, known for playing for FK Partizan in the early 1990s.