Popov - the surname is very common. According to various sources, in the popularity rating it is in the fourth or fifth place (shares the place with Sokolov). Only Smirnov, Ivanov and Kuznetsov are ahead of her. And only after it are Lebedev, Kozlov, Novikov, Morozov and Petrov followed. It is interesting to know what is the history of the origin of the name Popov. Now we will get to know this.
Distant past
Popov is a real ancient Slavic surname. It can occur in several ways.
In addition to the baptismal name, which was used infrequently to avoid the evil eye, the child received a nickname, which was also called a worldly name. It was commonly used and popular. Therefore, there is nothing strange that when the formation of surnames began, they were recorded on a secular name, which was well-known to everyone: Ofonka Larionov's son, a Yuriev peasant nicknamed Pop; Don village, Mikhailo Pop.
The worldly personal name Pop was very common. In the old records there are Senka Pop, a peasant, Pop Mikhailo, a Don Cossack. To form a surname, add the suffix "-ov" and get "Popov" - a familiar surname. From it turns out a female version - Popova. The origin of the surname is consistent with the rules of the Russian language.
The second way to form a surname
The descendants of the priests also bore the name Popov. Or if it was a daughter or wife, then Popova turned out. The origin of the surname in this case came from the kind of activity of a relative.
Incidentally, in the Russian North, especially in the Arkhangelsk province, 20% of the population had the name Popov. Historians attribute such a frequency to the fact that the mentioned position was elective - priests were not sent from seminaries or appointed, and residents chose them from their midst.
Another way for the surname to appear
People working with clergymen received the nickname "priests worker", which was then reduced to the simple name Popov.
And the female person who had family ties with him was called Popova. The origin of the surname in this case, as you see, does not bring much difficulty.
Next version
According to another version, this surname goes back to the baptismal Latin name Publius or Poplius ("folk"), shortened to Pop. Naturally, the name later came to Popov, and in the female version - Popov. The origin of the surname in this way seems less likely to researchers, but it is not completely excluded.
What is the last name
In general, we found out how the name Popov could appear, the origin and significance of which we consider in our article. At the same time, one cannot but dwell on the question of lowering the social status of surnames. How does this happen in modern language?
It's no secret that often schoolchildren turn their names into a nickname. Arriving at school, Sokolov becomes “Sokol”, Kiselev - “Kisele”, and Popov - “Popom”. This indicates a transition from an official name to a more intimate name, and often without offensive coloring.
This process is exactly the opposite of surname formation. A simple conclusion suggests itself. The Russian language is a self-organizing system that stores all the processes that took place in it, and, if desired, can reverse them.
People who glorify their surname
Let's remember the famous people who carried the described last name:
- Alexander Stepanovich Popov - inventor of the radio. In 1901, Russian ships equipped it with hearing instruments.
- Oleg Popov is a “solar clown” who was applauded by all the circus arenas of the world. His actions did not have to be translated. He brought joy to all people, and as a great artist he added a fraction of light sadness to her. Therefore, the image he created is not forgotten. This master "treated" people with laughter.
- Vladimir Popov - Vice President of the Union of Architects of the Russian Federation. In the 60-70s, according to his projects, mass development of housing estates was carried out.
- Sergey Popov is a scientist conducting research in the field of diseases of the nervous system.
- Singer Ekaterina Popova (soprano) - made her debut in France, since 2003 she has been working at the Mariinsky Theater.