Surname Woronow - Meaning and Origin
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Woronow: What does the surname Woronow mean?
The last name Woronow is of Russian origin and is derived from the Old Slavic word “voron”, which translates as raven. This suggests that the original bearer of the surname either lived near ravens or may have had an affinity towards them or could even have had a physical resemblance to a raven.
The surname Woronow also has other variations, such as the English word ‘Wragg’, which has the same derivation and can be found mainly in the south-east of England.
The meanings associated with the surname Woronow come from the folklore and the superstitions surrounding the character of the raven to which the name is derived from. In some cultures, the raven symbolises death and destruction but in others it is seen as an animal of intelligence, wisdom and lifetime.
The raven has long been regarded as a messenger in many cultures, believed to have the ability to travel between the physical and spiritual world. It suggests someone who has a deep connection with the spiritual world and is able to travel between them.
Through the ages, the name Woronow has certainly taken on a wide range of significance and meanings. Themes of fortune, death, wisdom and power are all common in the name's history. Today, many with the surname still recognise this symbolism and carry the character of the raven close to heart.
Order DNA origin analysisWoronow: Where does the name Woronow come from?
The last name Woronow is most commonly associated with countries in Eastern Europe that were part of the former Soviet Union. The prevalence of the name in Russia and Ukraine is particularly high.
The origin of the name has been traced back to the town of Woronowo in Belarus, where the surname is derived from the local dialect and means ‘someone from Woronow’. It is also believed to be a variation of the Russian-Yiddish given name Varanik.
Today, the surname is primarily found in areas of Eastern Europe. According to the United States’ Census Bureau, Woronow is the 6,497 most common surname in the United States, with 94 registered bearers of the name.
In Russia, the name is particularly popular. The All-Russian Population Census of 2002 showed that there were a total of 233 people in the country with the surname Woronow. The majority of bearers of the name in Russia (90.75%) are native Russian speakers, with the rest being natives of Ukraine, Belarus, and other ex-Soviet states.
The surname is also well-known in Poland, where it is one of the many derived from the Varanik family clan. In the United Kingdom, Woronow is a rare name. The 2011 Census revealed that there were only 33 people in the country with the surname.
In short, the surname Woronow is most common in Eastern Europe, particularly in Russia and Ukraine. It is also prevalent in other former Soviet Union states, including Belarus, Poland and the UK.
Variations of the surname Woronow
The surname Woronow, also spelled as Waronow, Wronow, Wrońow or Worńow, originates from Russia and is derived from the Slavic word “wrona”, meaning “crow”. In many parts of Eastern Europe, families were known by their nicknames, and Wronski, Wronka, Wronska, and Wronkiewicz are surnames that come from the same Slavic root.
The surname can also be found in East Prussia and East Pomerania as variations of “Woronow”, as well as in the Czech Republic as “Voronov”. This was partially due to the assimilation of the Balt and Slavic states, and the subsequent migration of these populations to different regions. Similarly, the Lithuanian version of the surname can be found as “Veronavicius”.
In Russia, the Woronow surname is often found with the patronymic “Voronovich” or “Voronov”, which comes from the word “voron”, meaning “black”, and is indicative of the dark grey colouration of the crow. This patronymic was commonly used in the 17th and 18th centuries to denote the son of a man with the surname Woronow.
The surname is also found in the countries of Belarus and Ukraine. It is seen there as a variation of the same word as in Russia, with the place name endings of -ov or -ow. This can also be seen in the Belarus version of the surname “Varonau”.
Finally, the surname can also be found as “Wronowski”, a Polish variation that was adopted during the 19th century as a means of distinguishing between different surnames. This version saw the addition of the “-ski” ending to denote nobility or high-ranking status.
In summary, the surname Woronow can be found in many variations and places across Eastern Europe, each with its own distinct origin and meaning.
Famous people with the name Woronow
- Ruth Woronow: Former professor of Anthropology at Brown University and the University of Arizona, creator of the Child Welfare and Social Work History project
- Aimee Woronow: American film producer, known for producing films such as “The Makeover”, “Fury”, and “Beyond the Farthest Star”
- Ed Woronow: American television producer, known for his work on the television shows ”Jessie”, “Good Luck Charlie”, and “Dog With a Blog”
- Jan Woronow: Polish-American violinist who founded the “New Julliard Quartet”
- Elizabeth Woronow: American political scientist, who served on the White House Domestic Policy Council during the Carter administration
- Sylvia Woronow: American musician who won the Pulitzer Prize in Music for her “Ein Glitch in the Matrix” symphony
- Joshua Woronow: Entrepreneur, humanitarian, and founder of the nonprofit ”Saving Lives, Building Hope”
- Matthew Woronow: American cellist and founding member of the New Julliard Quartet
- James Woronow: American painter and sculptor, whose work is featured in the Smithsonian American Art Museum
- Anna Woronow: American radio host, co-host of the syndicated radios show “Woronow and Thompson”