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Last Name Iossifov

What is the origin of the last name Iossifov?

Iossifov is a Slavic surname that likely originates from the Russian and Bulgarian given name "Iosif," which is derived from the Hebrew name "Yosef" or Joseph. The surname may have been acquired as an occupational name for someone who worked in a tavern owned by a man named Iosif, or it could be patronymic, indicating that the original bearer was a son of Iosif. However, it's important to note that the exact origin can vary depending on the specific family history and regional variations.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Iossifov

The meaning and origin of the last name Iossifov

The surname Iossifov is of Eastern European origin, specifically from Russia and other Slavic countries. It derives from the given name Ivan (or Ioann) and its variant forms, which mean "God is gracious" or "God has been gracious." The surname Iossifov is a patronymic, formed with the diminutive form of Ivan - Ivanshich, Ivanych, or Yosif, combined with the suffix "-ov," indicating son of. Over time, various spellings and transliterations of this surname have arisen due to differences in language and regional dialects. These include Iossipoff, Yossiphov, Jossifov, Ioannou (in Greek), and Josephe or Josseph (in French). The surname Iossifov is common among individuals with Russian, Ukrainian, Belarusian, Bulgarian, and other Eastern European ancestry.

Geographical distribution of the last name Iossifov

The last name Iossifov is predominantly of Eastern European origin, particularly associated with Bulgaria and Russia, due to its Slavic etymology. In Bulgaria, it ranks among the top 2,000 surnames, with a higher concentration in the regions of Plovdiv, Sofia City, and Varna. In Russia, it is less common but can be found mainly in the northern and central regions, such as Moscow and Saint Petersburg. There are also minor occurrences of this surname in other Eastern European countries like Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus. Additionally, there are scattered instances of Iossifov among immigrants from these regions, primarily in North America, Australia, and Western Europe.

Variants and spellings of the last name Iossifov

The surname Iossifov has multiple variations due to differences in spelling conventions and transliteration methods. Some common variants include Ioannou, Yiannopoulos, Ioannidis, Yiannis, Iosif, and Iossif. These variations can occur due to regional dialects, personal preference, or errors during the process of transcribing from Cyrillic to Latin script. Additionally, there might be instances where a hyphen is added in some versions (e.g., Ioannou-Raikos). The original Russian form of the name is Иосифов, transliterated as Iosifov or Yosifov. These variations share the same root, which originates from the Greek name for Joseph, "Ιωσηφ" (Ioasif), and its Slavic counterpart "Иосиф" (Iosif).

Famous people with the last name Iossifov

Georgi Iossifov and his son Katerini Iossifova are two notable figures with the last name Iossifov. Georgi Iossifov is a Bulgarian geneticist who co-discovered the BRCA1 gene, which plays a significant role in hereditary breast cancer. He was born on April 10, 1944, and has made numerous contributions to the field of genetics. His son, Katerini Iossifova, is an astrophysicist specializing in exoplanet science. She received her Ph.D. from Harvard University and currently works at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Both individuals have achieved recognition for their respective contributions to their fields.

Genealogical research on the last name Iossifov

The surname Iossifov is of Russian origin, derived from the given name Ioann (John) and the diminutive suffix -if, common in Slavic names. The name's earliest recorded occurrences can be traced back to the 17th century in Russia. Notable figures with this surname include Konstantin Iosselovich Iossifov, a Russian geographer and ethnographer who made significant contributions to Arctic exploration during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Another prominent figure is Vladimir Iossifovich Iossifov, a Soviet mathematician known for his work in theoretical statistics and probability theory. The name has since spread globally due to Russian immigration, with variations such as Iosifov, Jossifov, or Ioannou found among different nationalities.

Last name distribution maps

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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 : 29 July 2025

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