Last Name Lazarev

The surname Lazarev (Лазарев) is of Slavic origin and is most commonly found among the Russian population. It has its roots in the male given name Lazar', which means "God helps" or "protected by God" in Old Slavonic. This name was borne by numerous historical figures, including Lazar Hrebeljanovich, who ruled Serbia in the 14th century and is considered a national hero. The surname Lazarev is derived from the given name through various processes such as patronymics (surnames formed from a father's given name) or locative names (surnames denoting a place of origin).

Learn more about the origin of the last name Lazarev

The meaning and origin of the last name Lazarev

The surname Lazarev is of Slavic origin, specifically Russian, derived from the male given name Lazar, which means "God helps" or "God raises" in Greek. This name was brought to Russia by Greek Orthodox monks and became popular due to Saint Lazarus, a close friend of Christ who was resurrected by Jesus. Over time, as is common with many Slavic surnames, the original patronymic or occupational names were replaced by more permanent forms, such as Lazarev, which is often associated with the geographical location of the original bearer. The Lazarev surname has been borne by notable individuals throughout Russian history, including several generals and naval commanders, writers, artists, and scientists.

Geographical distribution of the last name Lazarev

The surname Lazarev is predominantly distributed in Eastern Europe, particularly in Russia and countries of the former Soviet Union such as Belarus, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan. It also has a significant presence in Bulgaria, where it originated from the medieval Slavic name "Lazar", meaning "God's helper". The name is less common but still found in other Slavic countries like Serbia, Croatia, and North Macedonia due to historical migrations and cultural exchange. Smaller numbers of Lazarevs can be traced in diaspora communities, including the United States and Canada, where Russian and Bulgarian immigrants have settled. The name's distribution reflects the historical spread of Slavic peoples and influences.

Variants and spellings of the last name Lazarev

The surname Lazarev has various spellings and variations due to differences in transliteration from different languages. Here are some common ones:

* Lazarov
* Lazaroev
* Lazareff
* Lazarewicz
* Lasarev
* Lasarow
* Laszarow
* Lazarsch
* Lazaras
* Lazarik
* Lazaric
* Lazarski
* Lazaruk
* Lasarzewski
* Lazaroff
* Lazarowich
* Lasarevich
* Lasarovich
* Lasarewiczh
* Laszaroff
* Laszarowicz
* Laszarowsky
* Laszarowski
* Laszarov
* Laszaro

These variations can be found in various countries, including Russia, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Serbia, and the United States. The spelling of a name can often change over time due to factors such as immigration, cultural assimilation, and differences in language conventions.

Famous people with the last name Lazarev

Among the notable figures bearing the surname Lazarev are:

1. Konstantin Lazarev (1839-1886), a Russian naval officer who participated in the circumnavigation of the world with the corvette "Gromoboi" under Captain Vasily Golovnin. His voyage is commemorated in literature as one of the most challenging maritime expeditions in Russian history.

2. Nikolai Lazarev (1839-1925), a Russian explorer and naval officer who, along with his brother Konstantin, participated in the first Russian Antarctic expedition led by Fabian von Bellingshausen between 1898 and 1899. He was instrumental in mapping the coast of Queen Maud Land, now part of East Antarctica.

3. Alexander Lazarev (born 1967), a Russian cosmonaut who flew on two space missions: Soyuz TM-23 to the Mir Space Station in 1995 and Soyuz TMA-8 to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2008. He spent a total of 426 days in space.

These three individuals, each distinguished by their unique contributions, have left significant marks in Russian history, naval exploration, space travel, and geography.

Genealogical research on the last name Lazarev

The Lazarev surname is of Slavic origin, specifically from Eastern Europe and Russia. It derives from the male given name Lazar, which means "God helps" or "helped by God". Variations of this surname in other languages include Lasarev (Bulgarian), Lasar (Croatian), and Laszlo (Hungarian).

The earliest known records of the Lazarev family can be traced back to medieval Russia, with one branch of the family believed to have origins in Novgorod, a major city and republic in Northwestern Russia during the Middle Ages. Another branch is said to have originated from the Grand Duchy of Moscow, where several notable figures bearing the Lazarev name rose to prominence during the 16th and 17th centuries.

The Lazarev surname has since spread across Russia and other parts of Eastern Europe, with significant populations in modern-day Belarus, Ukraine, and Poland, as well as countries that were formerly part of the Soviet Union. The family also has notable diasporic communities in North America and Australia, stemming from immigration during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "lazarev"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

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 : 14 June 2025

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