NomOrigine Background

Last Name Emelin

What is the origin of the last name Emelin?

The surname Emelin is of Russian origin. It is derived from various diminutives and short forms of names ending in -emil, such as Evgeniy (Evgen'emlin) or Aleksey (Alekse'emlin). These names were formed by adding the common diminutive suffix '-emli' to the personal names, which later became a permanent part of the surname.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Emelin

The meaning and origin of the last name Emelin

The surname Emelin is of Russian origin, derived from several possible sources. One theory suggests that it originates from the Old Slavic personal name "Emele" or "Emyel", which means "whole" or "entire". This name could have been a byname for someone considered complete or whole in some way. Another possibility is that Emelin is a habitational name, referring to a person from one of several locations named "Emelya" in Russia. The surname has several variations, including Yemelin, Iemelin, and Yemlyanov, reflecting the various ways Russian surnames have been transliterated into other languages over time.

Geographical distribution of the last name Emelin

The surname Emelin is predominantly found in Russia, particularly in areas such as central Russia and the Ural Mountains region. This surname originates from various regions within Russia, indicating a broad dispersal of its early ancestors across the country. Historically, the name can be traced back to the Middle Ages, where it was likely derived from geographical locations or personal names that were common during that period in Russia. Outside of Russia, the surname Emelin is sparsely distributed, with some occurrences in countries with significant Russian immigrant populations such as Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and the United States.

Variants and spellings of the last name Emelin

The surname Emelin has several variations and spellings across different regions and time periods. Some common variants include:

* Emal'in (Russian)
* Emelein (Dutch)
* Emelijn (Dutch)
* Emeline (English, feminine)
* Emilien (French)
* Emilin (Slavic)
* Emelyn (English)
* Immelin (German)
* Imelin (Scandinavian)

These variations may have arisen due to differences in language and transcription, as well as from the use of nicknames or diminutives based on the original name. It is also possible that some variations represent different origins or ethnicities for individuals bearing the same name.

Famous people with the last name Emelin

Alexander Emelianenko and Valentin Emelianenko are two notable individuals with the surname Emelin, although their last name is more commonly spelled as Emelianenko. Both are Russian professional mixed martial artists and brothers.

Alexander, also known as "Sasha," is a former M-1 Heavyweight Champion and PRIDE Fighting Championships Heavyweight Grand Prix 2005 winner. He is often considered one of the pioneers of Russian mixed martial arts. Valentin, on the other hand, was the M-1 Selection 2008 Light Heavyweight Champion and has competed in various promotions such as Bellator MMA and One Championship.

While not having the fame of some other athletes, the Emelianenko brothers have made significant contributions to the world of mixed martial arts, particularly within the Russian scene.

Genealogical research on the last name Emelin

The surname Emelin originates from Russia and is a patronymic derived from the given name Emanuel or Emil. The name first appeared in historical records during the 17th century in regions such as Moscow, Vladimir, and Tver. Notable individuals with the last name Emelin include Mikhail Emelianov, a Soviet cosmonaut who was part of the Soyuz 26 mission, and Andrey Emelyanov, a Russian philosopher and writer. The name spread to other parts of Europe, particularly to Finland and Sweden, due to migration and assimilation during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In Finland, the name is often spelled as Emilin or Emilius, while in Sweden it can be found as Emelin or Emilson. The Emelin family lineage is rich in Russian cultural heritage, with a strong focus on education, science, and exploration.

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 : 28 July 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

Eme don (Last name)

surnames > eme-don

The surname "Eme Don" appears to have English origins, possibly derived from the combination of the elements "Eme," which is a variation of the name "Emma" meaning "whole" or "univ...

Emebe (Last name)

surnames > emebe

The last name "emebe" does not appear to have a known origin or meaning in English. It is possible that it could be a rare or unique surname without a specific documented history.

Emech (Last name)

surnames > emech

The last name "Emech" is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German personal name "Emecho," a compound of the elements "emu," meaning "uncle," and "he," meaning "h...

Emefu (Last name)

surnames > emefu

The last name Emefu is of African origin, specifically from the Igbo tribe in Nigeria. It is believed to have a meaning related to spirituality or divine guidance.

Emeil (Last name)

surnames > emeil

The surname Emeil is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the personal name Imran, which means "prosperity" or "prosperous." Emeil is a common surname in Arabic-speaking countries ...

Emejulu (Last name)

surnames > emejulu

The last name Emejulu originates from the Igbo ethnic group in Nigeria. It is a combination of the Igbo words "eme" meaning "good" or "kindness" and "nkwulu" meaning "more." It is ...

Emelianenko (Last name)

surnames > emelianenko

The surname Emelianenko is of Russian origin. It derives from the given name Emel'yan, which means "rival of God" in Old Slavic. This name was popularized by St. Emelian (Emilian),...

Emelo (Last name)

surnames > emelo

The surname Emelo appears to have its origins in the Igbo language from Nigeria. The name could be derived from the Igbo word "eme" which means "truth" or "justice".

Emeriau (Last name)

surnames > emeriau

The last name "Emeriau" appears to have French origins. It is a patronymic surname derived from the given name "Emery" or "Émeric." The name "Emeriau" suggests that it was used to...

Emeric (Last name)

surnames > emeric

The surname Emeric is primarily of Hungarian and Slavic origin. It comes from the given name Emerich, which is a variant of the Germanic name Emmahard (composed of the elements 'em...

Emerich (Last name)

surnames > emerich

The surname Emerich is of Germanic origin, derived from the personal name Emmerich, which comes from "Emo" meaning "rich in wealth or famous" and "ric" meaning "ruler." It was born...

Emerton (Last name)

surnames > emerton

The surname Emerton is of English origin. It is a locative name, derived from the Old English words "ea" meaning river and "merc-tun," meaning border town or market town. Therefore...

Emery (Last name)

surnames > emery

The last name "Emery" has multiple possible origins. It is derived from both English and French sources. 1. English Origin: In England, the surname "Emery" originated as an occupa...

Emery-morel (Last name)

surnames > emery-morel

The surname Emery-Morel is a composite surname, formed by combining two separate family names. The origin of these names can be traced back to France. The name Emery is an occupat...

Emes (Last name)

surnames > emes

The last name "Emes" is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English personal name "Emma", which means "whole" or "universal". Over time, the name evolved into the surname...