Surname Markof - Meaning and Origin
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Markof: What does the surname Markof mean?
Markof is a Jewish ashkenazic surname of Russian origin. The familial name origins from the Russian word “markov” and is derived from the Yiddish phrase “mark” which refers to a boundary or limit.
The surname is often translated to mean “mark maker.” Historically, it was most commonly seen as a title or occupational name, referring to a maker of boundary markers or boundary stones used to mark physical boundaries or property lines. It was also sometimes given as a symbol of high social status, used as an honorary title given to denote a person of high standing by the nobility or royal family.
Today, people with the surname Markof are found primarily in eastern Europe but also in other locations across the world as descendants of the surname emigrated to many countries in search of a better life. Common modern-day occupations of those with the surname Markof include lawyers, business owners, and entrepreneurs.
The Markof surname has a long and varied history and is a legacy of the hardworking and determined people of Russia. It is an excellent representation of how family names are often deeply rooted in the past yet still relevant in the present.
Order DNA origin analysisMarkof: Where does the name Markof come from?
Markof is a surname found primarily in Russia, Ukraine, and other Eastern European countries, with a few instances of the name in the United States and other Western countries. According to the data website Ancestry.com, the name appears most frequently in the Ukraine, followed closely by Russia. Markof is thought to be derived from the Russian word "markov" which means Lamb, and often when written in English, the spelling changes from Markof to Markov.
In the United States, according to the 2000 US census, only 28 people had the last name Markof. However, this number may be higher today because of the large influx of Eastern European immigrants to the US in recent years. The states with the highest concentration of Markofs are New York, New Jersey, California, and Pennsylvania.
The name Markof is most popular amongst the Ukrainian and Russian Jewish communities where it is often found with patronymic (given) names such as Markovitch. It is also sometimes found with nicknames or diminutives such as Mark, Marcus, or Marky.
The name Markof is a relatively uncommon name today and is usually only found amongst people of Eastern European descent.
Variations of the surname Markof
The surname Markof is an Orthodox Jewish surname which originated from the Jewish community of Eastern Europe. Variants and alternate spellings of this surname may include Markevitch, Markevich, Markov, Markhoff, Markow, Markowich, and Markevski.
The surname Markof is derived from the Jewish given name Mark or Meir, which means illuminator. According to Jewish custom, children were often given the name of the father or a biblical name to be used as a surname at the time of marriage. This explains its popularity in Eastern Europe.
Markof is a derivation of the Yiddish term "markov" which means tsar. Jewish immigrants to the United States often Anglicized their surnames, resulting in the shortened form Markof. It is also possible that the surname was adapted from the Romanian, Ukrainian and Russian term "markov" which means man from Markovo (now known as Markovka), a town in Ukraine founded in the 17th century.
The ethnicity surrounding the surname Markof is often Jewish, but the surname can also be found in other parts of Europe outside of the Jewish community. The surname is most commonly found in countries in Eastern Europe, including Romania, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, and Poland. In the United States, the surname is most often found in New York City, where it has been since the early 2000s.
Famous people with the name Markof
- Anatoli Markof, former Deputyforeign Minister of Russia.
- Ira Markof, a British Army officer and the commander of the 1st battalion of the Coldstream Guards.
- Robert Markof, an Israeli politician and former Minister of Transport.
- David Markof, a Canadian politician who served in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.
- Edwin Markof, a Canadian politician who served in the Canadian Senate.
- Vitaly Markof, a Soviet physicist and a professor at the Saint Petersburg State University of Telecommunications.
- Terry Markof, an American actor known for his role in the sitcom “Family Ties”.
- Josh Markof, an American philosopher and author.
- Ezequiel Markof, an Argentine football player.
- Yitzhak Markof, a Polish-Israeli actor and a former Member of the Knesset.