Surname Kovalev - Meaning and Origin
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Kovalev: What does the surname Kovalev mean?
The last name Kovalev is a patronymic surname originating from the Russian language. It is derived from the old Russian male given name of 'Koval', meaning 'a blacksmith' - 'black' being the root of the word combined with 'val', meaning 'smith'. This surname was ultimately derived from the old Greek word 'kovalis', which also means a smith.
The word Koval is used in Old Russian, Old Church Slavonic, and is believed to have been in existence since at least the 10th century AD. It was a widespread given name during the Middle Ages and was most likely bestowed to the sons of blacksmiths or those who performed a similar trade, such as metal workers, cutlers, and armorers.
Kovalev is a hereditary surname, which means that it is passed down from generation to generation. It is generally found among those of Russian and Eastern European descent and more recently has become more widespread in the United States. Throughout history, living descendants of the Kovalev family have remained connected to their roots through this surname and can trace their lineage to the regions from whence their ancestors hailed.
Order DNA origin analysisKovalev: Where does the name Kovalev come from?
The last name Kovalev is most commonly found in Russia today. It is derived from the Russian word “Kovalyov” which means “blacksmith.” It is also a common name in Ukraine and Belarus.
In Russia, it is believed that the name Kovalev was first recorded in the 17th century. There are many variations of the name, such as Koval, Kovalenko, Kovalov and Kovalchuk. It is one of the most popular surnames in the country.
According to the 2010 Census, around 8,000 people in Russia have the surname Kovalev. This makes it the 17th most common last name in the country. It is most common in Moscow and other regions of Central Russia. It is also prevalent in Siberia, the Urals and the Far East.
In terms of international popularity, the name Kovalev is also quite common in countries which have a sizable Russian diaspora. Therefore, it is not surprising to find families with the name Kovalev in Canada, the United States, Germany and Israel. Although it is popular in these countries, the most prevalent use of the name Kovalev is still in Russia.
Variations of the surname Kovalev
The surname Kovalev is a patronymic derived from the sobriquet “Koval,” which means blacksmith or smith. It is a very common surname in Russia, Ukraine, and other East Slavic countries, and can be spelt in many ways. The most common variants of this surname include Kovalov, Kovelev, Kovelevich, Kovalyov, Kovalyovitch, Kovaliov, Kovaliovitch, Kovalevich, Kovalyuk, Kovalevskis, and Kovalevsky.
The Slovak spelling of this surname is Kovácel, the Polish spelling is Kowalew, and the Belarusian spelling is Kavalüvich. The surname Kovalev is also found in some parts of Germany, particularly in the Nordic areas, and in these areas it is usually spelled as Kuwalew.
Variant spellings of the Kovalev surname have been created over the years as a result of immigration, population movement, and changing languages. For instance, in the United States, the spelling of this surname changed to Kovaloff and Kovalenko. Similarly, other variants that have evolved over the years include Kovaliv, Kovalyuva, and Kovalyova.
All of the above-mentioned surnames are believed to have a common origin in the Russian word “Koval,” or “blacksmith.” Being a widely used surname in Russia and other Eastern European countries, the various variants of this name have traveled far and wide, adapting to the changing languages and cultures in which they are encountered. In any case, regardless of their spelling, all of these surnames are linked to one common origin.
Famous people with the name Kovalev
- Sergey Kovalev: A Russian professional boxer who currently holds multiple world titles in the light heavyweight division.
- Evgeny Kovalev: Russian hockey player and two-time Olympic champion with the Russian national team.
- Alexei Kovalev: Former professional hockey player and Olympic medalist.
- Andrei Kovalev: Retired former professional ice hockey player who competed in the 2000 Winter Olympics with the Russian national team.
- Nikolay Kovalev: Former professional athlete who competed in numerous tournaments as a decathlete.
- Fedor Kovalev: Russian professional League of Legends player who is currently team captain of Gambit Esports.
- Denis Kovalev: Russian professional basketball player who plays in the Russian Basketball Super League.
- Vasily Kovalev: Soviet-era sprinter and international Olympic competitor who represented the Soviet Union at the 1964 Olympics.
- Roman Kovalev: Russian professional mixed martial artist and former Interim Free Fight World Champion.
- Vladimir Kovalev: Retired Russian professional ice hockey player who played with multiple teams over the course of his career.