Ilievski is a surname of Slavic origin, specifically from North Macedonia. It derives from the given name "Ilija," which is the Macedonian form of Elijah, a biblical name that means "the Lord is my God."
In Slavic naming conventions, surnames often evolved over time as a variation or diminutive of the original given name. In this case, Ilievski may have originated from Iliev, a patronymic form of Ilija. The suffix "-ski" indicates a place of origin associated with someone bearing this name.
Learn more about the origin of the last name Ilievski
The meaning and origin of the last name Ilievski
The surname Ilievski is a Slavic patronymic derived from the male given name Ivan, which means "God is gracious" in Russian and Ukrainian, or "John" in other Slavic languages. The suffix "-evski" is a common Slavic patronymic, meaning 'son of'. This particular surname is predominantly found among South Slavic peoples, particularly in Macedonia, Bulgaria, Serbia, and other regions where these languages are spoken. The name Ilievski has been passed down through generations as a sign of paternal descent from an ancestor named Ivan. It is important to note that surnames are a relatively recent innovation in many Slavic cultures; the practice of using fixed family names became more widespread in Eastern Europe during the Middle Ages and was officially mandated by various governments in the modern era, such as in Russia and other parts of the former Soviet Union in the 18th century.
Geographical distribution of the last name Ilievski
The surname Ilievski is predominantly found in North Macedonia, where it ranks among the most common last names. It originates from the male given name Ivan, which is derived from the Slavic name "Ivan," meaning "God is gracious." In North Macedonia, variations of this surname include Iljovski, Iliev, and Ilieski. The name's distribution extends to other parts of the Balkan region due to historical migrations and cultural ties, particularly in neighboring countries like Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, and Kosovo. However, its frequency significantly decreases outside North Macedonia and the immediate Balkan region.
Variants and spellings of the last name Ilievski
The surname Ilievski has multiple variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration and regional dialects. Some common variations include Iljewski, Ilijewski, Iljewsky, Ilijschek, Ilieuski, Iliewitsch, Iljewitschi, Iliewitschki, and Iliewicz. These variations are based on the different ways that the Cyrillic script used in some Slavic languages is transcribed into the Latin alphabet. In addition to these variations, there may also be differences in spelling due to individual preference or migration-related influences. It's important to note that the correct spelling of a name can depend on factors such as the country of origin and historical context.
Famous people with the last name Ilievski
Among the notable individuals sharing the last name Ilievski are:
1. Goran Ilievski (born 1982), a professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Macedonian clubs and has represented the North Macedonia national team.
2. Darko Ilievski (born 1985), a former North Macedonian professional footballer, known for his time at Red Bull Salzburg and the North Macedonia national team.
3. Aleksandar Ilievski (born 1973), a North Macedonian politician who served as the Minister of Defense from 2017 to 2018.
4. Nikolche Ilievski (born 1954), a former Yugoslav and Macedonian professional basketball player, known for his time with Red Star Belgrade and the Yugoslav national team.
These individuals have made significant contributions in their respective fields of football and politics within North Macedonia.
Genealogical research on the last name Ilievski
The Ilievski surname is predominantly of Slavic origin and is found primarily in North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and other Balkan regions. The name is derived from the male given name Ivan, which means "God is gracious" in Slavic languages. Over time, the name has undergone various phonetic and orthographic variations due to migration and regional dialects. In North Macedonia, the surname is often spelled as Ilievski or Iljovski, while in Bulgaria it may be found as Iliev or Ilievsky. Notable individuals with this surname include Iljko Ilievski, a prominent Macedonian politician and former Prime Minister of North Macedonia, and Nikola Iliev, a Bulgarian footballer who plays for Levski Sofia. Genealogical research on the Ilievski lineage can be complex due to the name's various spellings and geographical dispersal, but resources such as census records, church registers, and family histories can provide valuable insights into the family's history and origins.
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 :
Share the origin of your last name with your friends
The surname Ili has roots in various cultures, but it is most notably associated with Slavic and Greek origins.
In Slavic cultures, Ili can be a shortened form of names containing...
The last name Iliaskader is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the given name Ilias, which means "the Lord is my God." It is a common surname in some Arabic-speaking countries.
The surname Iliev originates from Bulgaria. It is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Ivan, which means "God is gracious" in Slavic languages. In this case, Iliev is a...
The surname Ilievska is of Macedonian origin. It is a feminine form of the surname Iliev, which is derived from the given name "Ilie," a variant of the name Elijah in Macedonian. T...
The last name Iliganon is of Filipino origin, specifically from the region of Iligan in the Philippines. It is likely derived from the place name Iligan, which is known for its nat...
The last name "Ilihaja" is of Hawaiian origin. It is derived from the Hawaiian word "ili" meaning skin and "haja" meaning to strip. It is likely to have originated as a descriptive...
The last name "Ilinca" is of Romanian origin. It is a feminine form derived from the given name "Ana-Marie", which is a combination of the names Ana (meaning 'grace' or 'favor') an...
The last name "Ilio" is of Italian origin. It likely derives from the Italian word "ilio," which means "iliac" in English. The name may be associated with a place name, occupation,...
The surname Ilišinović originates from Croatia. It is a patronymic surname derived from the male given name Ilija (which is the Croatian form of Elijah). Patronymic names are for...
The last name "Iliyaz" has Turkic, specifically Uzbek, origins. It is derived from the given name "Ilyas," which is the Turkish form of the Arabic name "Elijah."
