Surname Volovelsky - Meaning and Origin
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Volovelsky: What does the surname Volovelsky mean?
The last name Volovelsky is a Russian patronymic name derived from the given name Volovei. Volovei is a diminutive of the name Volodymyr, which means “one who is renowned and glorious” in Middle Slavic. It is also thought to be a mod any of the old Slavic name Velimir, which is derived from words meaning “advocating peace” and “people’s rule”, suggesting authority and leadership.
The family lineage of Volovelsky is likely to have resided in the Baltic region, primarily in Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia. It is believed that different branches of the family dispersed into these countries during different time periods.
Throughout the centuries, the Volovelsky name has been held by notable and prominent figures in the countries of its residence. One example is Leonid Volovelsky, the head of the central state bank of Belarus from 1996-2000. He played a major role in establishing the Belarusian Ruble and stabilizing the economy after becoming independent from the Soviet Union.
The Volovelsky name serves as a testament to the proud history and culture of the Eastern European countries it stems from. As the years have passed, the name has been passed on from generation to generation and is thought to bring great fortune and blessings to those who carry it.
Order DNA origin analysisVolovelsky: Where does the name Volovelsky come from?
The last name Volovelsky is most commonly found today in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. It is a fairly rare name, and is mainly concentrated in those countries.
The origin of the surname Volovelsky dates back to medieval Poland. The name is derived from the word "volen", which translates as "to turn". In medieval Poland,it was given to persons distinguished in military service. It is thought that the surname evolved from the word "Voloveli" or "Volovely", which meant "persons who could turn the tide of a battle".
Individuals with the last name Volovelsky can be found in both urban and rural areas of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. The approximate frequency of this surname is reported to be about 0.001% of the population in those countries.
Although the name is relatively uncommon, some famous individuals have carried the name, including Ukrainian TV presenter Oleksandr Volovetskyi, and famous Russian philosopher, Nikolay Volovelsky. While there are still individuals in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus bearing the name Volovelsky, the name has become rare in recent times as people have begun to adopt more popular family names.
Variations of the surname Volovelsky
Volovelsky is a rare family name that originated most likely in the Ukraine, Russia, or Belarus. It is derived from the Russian word “volove,” which is a form of the word “wolf.” Consequently, the name literally translates to “from the wolf.” As with many Eastern European surnames, the spelling of Volovelsky has multiple variants.
Two of the more common variations of the name are “Volovetsky” and “Volvetsky.” Both of these spelling variants are largely interchangeable and are often used interchangeably by families of the same origin bearing the Volovelsky surname.
Many people with the Volovelsky surname may also have adopted a patronymic or hypocoristically derived surnames. These variants would based off of the original surname such as “Volovets,” “Volovski,” or “Volovetsky.” Until 1918, this surname was largely associated with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and thus was subject to the Polish spelling conventions of that time. This means that many variants of the Volovelsky surname may also include common Polish spellings such as “Wolwelski,” “Wołwelski,” “Wolwelski,” or “Wolwesky.”
In the past century, many Ukrainian immigrants adopted the medieval root “Volodym” to reference the same surname. This root is still often found in modern Ukraine and its corresponding spelling variants. In addition, the surname “Vole” and its variants “Volli” and “Vohli” are often used in Ukraine to refer to the same family origin.
Overall, the Volovelsky surname and its many spellings has a long history. As this name remains associated with eastern and eastern central European origins, its variants may still be encountered in Canada, the United States, or in other places where the Ukrainian diasporas have made its presence.
Famous people with the name Volovelsky
- Alexander Volovelsky (1847-1917), Russian manufacturing specialist and educator.
- Vasily Volovelsky (1837-1902), Russian artist.
- Konstantin Volovelsky (1885-1930), Soviet Russian engineer and architect.
- Boris Volovelsky (1925-2006), Ukrainian theater director.
- Agnia Volovelsky (born 1961), Russian arts manager.
- Ilya Volovelsky (1915-2002), Russian geologist.
- Alexey Volovelsky (1902-1981), Soviet Russian engineer, aircraft designer.
- Sasha Volovelsky (born 1986), Ukrainian-Russian cinematographer.
- Grigory Volovelsky (1903-1977), Soviet Russian mathematician and hydraulic engineer.
- Alexander Volovelsky (born 1958), Russian ambassador to The Netherlands and Belgium.