Calm, peaceful, quiet, modest - this is the designation given by linguists to the word "Chuvash", which one of the Volga nationalities calls itself. Chuvash surnames have long been mixed with native Russian and Ukrainian, or maybe it was other nations that borrowed some of them from the Chuvash? The historical past of this people is very interesting, as well as the origin of their nominal names. We will pay attention to this topic today, consider in more detail the surnames and names of the Chuvash, as well as the history of their origin.
Who are the Chuvash?
Once upon a time, presumably in the 7-8th century, one of the hordes of the Bulgarian tribes moved east, reached the region of the middle channel of the Volga and Kama, and settled here, mingling with the Finno-Ugric tribes. Later, the Volga-Bulgarian kingdom was formed here, the population of which was the Turkic-speaking tribes of the Bulgarians, Estelle and Bersula. The Chuvash consider themselves descendants of the Bulgars, Suvars and Savirs. The merger in the Volga Bulgaria of Christian, Muslim, pagan cultural traditions was reflected in the names. The original Slavic Chuvash names and surnames coexist with Muslims, despite the fact that their carriers are of the same nationality.
Where and how do the Chuvash live?
Almost half of all Chuvash people live in the territory of the modern Chuvash Republic, which is part of the Russian Federation. Also, Chuvash surnames can be found throughout Russia. Many Chuvash live in Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan. The main religion of modern descendants of the Bulgars is Orthodox Christianity, but many of them remain committed to Islam or worship traditional pagan beliefs. The Chuvash language is a unique branch of the Turkic language group.
Names in Paganism
Until the first half of the 18th century, the main religion among the Volga Bulgars was paganism, in which the name of the newborn was given great importance. Chuvash surnames, as such, did not exist at that time. This is not a feature of the Türkic language, this order of naming was characteristic of most peoples around the world. Pagan names denoted forces and natural phenomena, qualities that parents wanted to give their child. The pre-Christian names of the Chuvash were by origin both originally belonging to their native language, and borrowed from other language groups. Later, after the adoption of Christianity, many names adapted to Slavic, Russian, supplemented by surnames. Recently, the population of the Chuvash Republic has a fashion for beautiful pre-Christian national names. The most common can be called:
- Ilem (pi - for a girl) - “beauty”.
- Milyuk is an idealistic person.
- Narspi is a beautiful girl.
- Alehan is a defender.
- Tahtaman is tenacious.
Converted Chuvash last names
The main name in pagan society was the name, to clarify who it was about, the nickname was added to the person: belonging to the family, family: whose? - Ilemov, Alekhanov, Nikiforov, etc. There was a belief among the people that a child would be stronger and healthier if he is named after the name of the animal, tree or bird. Adding the ending “s” formed a middle name. These middle names were often translated into Russian, forming new Russian surnames, identical in meaning to Chuvash. Examples:
Yuman (oak) - Yumanov, Oaks; Kurak (rook) - Kurakov, Grachev; Kashkar (wolf) - Kashkarov, Wolves; Kartash (ruff) - Kartashov, Ershov. The origin of Chuvash surnames of this kind explains that relatives of the Kartashovs next to the Ershovs, the Yumanovs with the Dubovs, etc., can be in the same family.
Christianity and surnames
After the adoption of Orthodoxy during the baptismal rite, the Chuvash received a new Orthodox name and surname, which was most often formed on behalf of the father and served as a patronymic: father - Nikita Ivanov, son Thomas Nikitin, grandson Alexey Fomin. This designation caused confusion in the workflow, then the Russian government passed a law obliging to bear a fixed surname, which will be transmitted to the children on the paternal side. Then the names began to appear, transformed with the help of graduation, from nicknames, professions and occupations, traits of character and appearance. Often a person had two names - one old pagan in everyday life, and a new one, with a surname, for official documents.
Chuvash or Russian surname?
Among the Chuvash and Russians, the main part of surnames is formed by the ending of “s” or “s” for women. This word formation is accepted among the ancestors of the Chuvash - Bulgarians. After the inclusion of the territory of the Volga Bulgars into the Russian state, there was a mutual enrichment of cultures of different peoples. Many Russian high-ranking officials came to the service in Chuvashia, accepting the traditions of this region. In turn, the Chuvash became Christians, changed the names and Chuvash surnames in the Russian way. The list of surnames, with common entities for Russians and Chuvash, as well as for Bulgarians, 70% consists of surnames on "-ov" and "-ev". They were formed mainly from the names of the fathers or from the occupation. A significant part is also made up of surnames with the endings “-n” or “-yaykin”. Chuvash names are characterized by the use of affectionate and decreasing declination. Hence the Mishaikins, Vanyutkins, Kolyunins. Abaskins, Chindyaykins, Samardeykins - also from the Chuvash regions.
The most famous Chuvash surnames: alphabetical list
It is very difficult to distinguish belonging to the Chuvash roots by surname. Historical events, times when the surname could be changed at will, led to the fact that now 99% of Chuvash people have Christian names and surnames. And the most common are Ivanov, Petrov, Mikhailov. The following short list includes the most common surnames, which, according to linguists, have Bulgarian roots. This, by no means complete list, is an example of how the ancient history of a people lives in its surnames.
- Abashev.
- Abdulov.
- Agishev.
- Adashev.
- Aksakov.
- Diamonds.
- Anichkov.
- Arseniev.
- Babichev.
- Bazhov.
- Bazarov.
- Cormorants.
- Rams.
- Velyaminov.
- Vedernikov.
- Garshin.
- Glinsky.
- Davydov ..
- Ermolov
- Zhdanov.
- Teeth.
- Zyuzin.
- Karamzin.
- Karmyshev.
- Karacheev.
- Mosolov.
- Muratov.
- Stroganov.
- Suvorov.
- Temirov.
- Tenishev.
- Chekmarev.
- Chemesov.
- Yakushin.
- Yaushev.