Surname Korolow - Meaning and Origin
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Korolow: What does the surname Korolow mean?
The last name Korolow is of Russian origin and is a patronymic derived from the Slavic root Korol, meaning ‘king’. This surname was traditionally given to the eldest or noble son in the family, and, as such, could be interpreted as meaning ‘son of the king’.
The surname Korolow is most commonly found amongst Russian and East European populations. It is also known by other forms, including Korolov, Korol, and Krol. The name is derived from the word korol’, which is the Russian form of the Slavic kral, meaning ‘king’, and is derived from the Indo-Europeans krōlos, meaning ‘king’.
The surname is generally found in Poland, Russia, Slovakia, and Ukraine, amongst other East European countries. In some cases, the surname is used to indicate a noble, noble-born, or powerful family heritage.
Most people who bear the surname have a direct lineage of descent from powerful political or noble figures of the past. As such, they are seen as being ‘from the king’s lineage’, and would frequently bear the title of kniaz (knight) or tsar (emperor). People with the surname traditionally had a certain level of standing in society.
Although the surname has been in use for many centuries, its original meaning has been somewhat lost in translation in recent times. Today, the name is simply seen as a family surname and has no direct noble or royal connotations.
Order DNA origin analysisKorolow: Where does the name Korolow come from?
The surname Korolow is not especially common today. In fact, it's currently estimated that only about 130 people carry the name throughout the world. Despite its rarity, it is found in several countries, including the United States, Canada, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Belarus, Bulgaria, Austria, and Slovakia.
In the United States, there are relatively few people of the Korolow surname, with only around 30 currently living there. Most of these individuals are descendants of Ukrainian immigrants who arrived in America during the 20th century, particularly in the late 1930s and post-World War II era. The majority of these people are found in the states of Pennsylvania and New York.
In Russia and Ukraine, there are many more people of the Korolow surname. This is largely due to the fact that many people of Jewish descent adopted 'Korolow' and other variant spellings when they were required to take on surnames in the late 19th century. In the Ukrainian language, "Korolow" is often spelled as "Korolov".
Most people of the Korolow surname living in Poland today trace their ancestry to a handful of families who settled there in the 18th and 19th centuries. Along with Russia and Ukraine, Poland has long been a receptive host country for Jewish immigrants and therefore many Korolow families are of Jewish heritage.
The Korolow surname is not common today, but its prevalence is not insignificant either. Much of its story has been one of migration, with its roots in eastern Europe leading to its eventual spread across other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Korolow
Korolow is a Slavic spellings of the surname that appears in many countries, including Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. It is derived from the root word "korol," which is the Russian or Ukrainian word for "king."
Variants, spellings, and surnames derived from the root "korol" include Korolev, Koroleva, Korolova, Korrel, Korrell, Karol, Karolowski, Karolow, Karolewski, Karoly, Karolyi, Krol, Krul, Korolevsky, Korolyov, Kuralet, Kuralo, Kurylov, Kurylenko, Kurylyuk, Kurilo, Kuriloi, and Krylov.
In addition, some variations are used in other languages, such as the Polish Korolewski and Hungarian Korlly.
Other related surnames include Korolkov, Korolkevich, Korollko, Korolskoy, Korolkin, and Korolov-Kurilo.
Korolow may also be used as a first name, such as in Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian. It is the male form of the name Korolova, which is a feminization of the root word korol.
The surnames in this family are thought to represent the original, classic nobility that rose to power in Eastern Europe from the 10th century. They have since been adopted in some parts of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, and have spread further to other parts of the world.
Famous people with the name Korolow
- Robert Korolow: A retired American ice hockey player who played for multiple teams from 1972-79.
- Laura Korolow: A composer and multi-instrumentalist who works mainly with music for film, theatre, and dance.
- Richard Korolow: A Canadian freelance illustrator and digital imaging specialist.
- James Korolow: A Canadian photographer based in Vancouver, specializing in commercial, studio, and lifestyle photography.
- Murray Korolow: A cartoonist and illustrator who has worked for many magazines and newspapers.
- Mike Korolow: An acrylic painter and mixed media artist who has exhibited in Canada and internationally.
- David Korolow: An Ontario-based surrealist artist known for his large-scale oil paintings filled with layered imagery.
- Sergei Korolow: A Russian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Kontinental Hockey League.
- Elena Korolow: A Russian ballerina, known for her leading roles in The Bolshoi ballet.
- Yolanta Korolow: A Polish circus performer and aerialist, known for her performances in the Cirque du Soleil.