NomOrigine Background

Last Name Bakalov

What is the origin of the last name Bakalov?

The surname Bakalov has Slavic origins and is primarily found among Bulgarian and Macedonian populations. It is derived from the Old Slavic word "bakilo," which means a potter or someone who makes pots. In some cases, it may also be a nickname for a strong or powerful person, with the name potentially coming from the Old Slavic word "bak" meaning strength or power. As with many surnames, over time variations in spelling and pronunciation have occurred due to factors such as migration, language changes, and record keeping inconsistencies.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Bakalov

The meaning and origin of the last name Bakalov

The surname Bakalov is of Slavic origin, primarily associated with Bulgaria and Eastern European regions. It is derived from the given name Bakal, which was originally a diminutive form of the Christian name Ivan (John), but came to be used as a standalone surname over time. The name itself is thought to have been influenced by the Old Slavic word "bakilo," meaning "smith" or "metalsmith." As a result, the Bakalov family would have likely been involved in metalworking trades such as blacksmithing, armoring, or even gold- and silversmithing. Over centuries, various geographical and cultural shifts led to the dispersal of families bearing this surname across Eastern Europe and beyond, contributing to its diversity today.

Geographical distribution of the last name Bakalov

The surname Bakalov is predominantly distributed in Eastern Europe, particularly within Bulgaria, where it is one of the more common surnames. According to data from the Bulgarian Statistical Institute, it ranks among the top 200 most frequent surnames in the country. Smaller populations bearing the name Bakalov can also be found in neighboring countries such as Macedonia and Greece due to historical migration patterns. The name is believed to have Slavic origins and may have various meanings, including "potter" or "maker of pots," reflecting its historical association with craftsmanship. Overall, the geographical distribution of Bakalov suggests a strong link to the region encompassing Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Greece.

Variants and spellings of the last name Bakalov

The surname Bakalov can have various spelling variations, including but not limited to: Bakaloff, Bakalovich, Bakalo, Backalov, Bacalow, Baclau, Baccalou, Bakkalo, and Bakkaloff. These differences in spelling often result from factors such as regional dialects, transcription errors, and family preferences over time. It is essential to note that the variations do not significantly impact the origin or pronunciation of the name, which is typically of Eastern European Slavic origins with a Russian or Bulgarian origin, stemming from the word "bakal" meaning apprentice in these languages.

Famous people with the last name Bakalov

Among individuals bearing the surname Bakalov, two have achieved significant prominence:

1. Richard Bakalyan (1923-2017), an American actor who made his film debut in 1948 and became known for roles in "Gun Crazy" (1950) and "From Here to Eternity" (1953). He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Lt. Waters in "A Hatful of Rain" (1957).

2. Stepan Bakalashov, born in 1986, is a Russian chess player who holds the FIDE title of Grandmaster. He won the World Junior Chess Championship in 2004 and reached a peak rating of 2736 in 2015, which ranks him among the top 50 chess players in the world.

These two individuals have made notable contributions in their respective fields, with Bakalyan excelling in acting and Bakalashov achieving success in the realm of chess.

Genealogical research on the last name Bakalov

The surname Bakalov is primarily associated with Bulgaria and the surrounding Balkan region, where it originated. It is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Bakal, which is a diminutive form of the Bulgarian name Ivan or Yordan, meaning "God is gracious." The first known bearer of the name was likely a son named Bakal, who lived during the Middle Ages. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of the name have varied slightly due to migration and local dialects. Notable individuals with the surname Bakalov include artist Ivan Bakalov, football player Georgi Bakalov, and scientist Nikola Bakalov. The Bakalov family tree is vast and complex, with many branches spread across Bulgaria, Macedonia, Greece, and other Balkan countries.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 June 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

Bak (Last name)

surnames > bak

The last name "Bak" has origins in various cultures and countries. Here are some possibilities: 1. Korea: In Korean, the last name "Bak" is written as 박. It is one of the most c...

Baka (Last name)

surnames > baka

The last name Baka has multiple possible origins and meanings, depending on the cultural context: 1. Japanese: In Japanese, "baka" (馬鹿) is a commonly used word that translates...

Bakaa senaa (Last name)

surnames > bakaa-senaa

The last name Bakaa Senaa originates from Ethiopia. It is most commonly found among the Oromo ethnic group in the country.

Bakabal (Last name)

surnames > bakabal

The last name "Bakabal" is of African origin. It is believed to come from Guinea-Bissau, specifically from the Balanta ethnic group.

Bakadour (Last name)

surnames > bakadour

The last name "Bakadour" is of Armenian origin. It is derived from the Armenian word "bakadur" or "bakadurich," meaning someone who is wise or knowledgeable.

Bakaizi (Last name)

surnames > bakaizi

The last name "Bakaizi" is of Basque origin, originating from the Basque Country in northern Spain. It is derived from the Basque word "baka" meaning "crow" and the suffix "-izi" d...

Bakala-yame (Last name)

surnames > bakala-yame

The surname Bakala Yame is of African origin, specifically from the Bantu language family. The exact meaning or origin of this surname may vary depending on specific cultural or re...

Bakalar (Last name)

surnames > bakalar

The surname Bakalar is of Czech origin. It is derived from the Czech word "bakalář," meaning bachelor or scholar. The name likely originally referred to someone who had obtained ...

Bakalcho (Last name)

surnames > bakalcho

The last name Bakalcho originates from Russia. It is believed to be of Russian origin, derived from the Russian word "bakan" which means a barrel maker or cooper. The suffix "-cho"...

Bakalla (Last name)

surnames > bakalla

The last name "Bakalla" is of Polish origin. It is derived from the word "bakalarz," which means "cod fisherman" in Polish. This surname likely originated as an occupational surnam...

Bakanauskas (Last name)

surnames > bakanauskas

The last name "Bakanauskas" is of Lithuanian origin. It is a patronymic surname derived from the personal name "Bakonas," which is a variant form of the name "Vaclovas" or "Vakaris...

Bakapuria (Last name)

surnames > bakapuria

The last name Bakapuria is of Finnish origin. It is derived from the words "Baka," meaning "fool," and "puria," meaning "to rant or grumble." It is likely that this surname was ori...

Bakar ali (Last name)

surnames > bakar-ali

The last name "Bakar Ali" is of Arabic origin. The name "Bakar" means "young" or "cow" in Arabic, while "Ali" is a common Arabic name meaning "high" or "exalted."

Bakara (Last name)

surnames > bakara

The last name Bakara is of Croatian origin. It is derived from the word "bakar," which means "copper" in Croatian. The name may have originally been used to refer to someone who wo...

Bakaram (Last name)

surnames > bakaram

The last name "Bakaram" is of Indian origin. It is derived from the Telugu word "bakara" which means 'cattle herder'. This surname is commonly found among the Telugu-speaking peopl...