Last Name Lipkin

The surname Lipkin is of Jewish Ashkenazic origin. It is an occupational name for a maker of small leather bottles used to contain perfume, cosmetics, or medicines, derived from the Yiddish word "lipke" meaning little bottle. In Hebrew, it can also be translated as "small pouch" or "container." This name was originally a nickname for someone who made such objects. It should be noted that Jewish occupational names often derived from a trade, an occupation, or a particular skill.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Lipkin

The meaning and origin of the last name Lipkin

The surname Lipkin is of Jewish origin, derived from the Yiddish word "lipke," which means little lion in English. This name was often given to children born on or near Rosh Hodesh Elul, the Jewish New Year for animals, as it was believed that a lion was born on this day. Over time, the name Lipkin developed as a surname among Ashkenazi Jews. The name has since spread beyond the Jewish community and can be found in various cultures today. It is most common in Eastern Europe, Russia, and Israel, but it also exists in other parts of the world where Jewish immigrants have settled. In terms of its meaning, Lipkin serves as a reminder of bravery, strength, and protection, much like the symbolic animal from which it takes its name.

Geographical distribution of the last name Lipkin

The surname Lipkin is predominantly of Jewish origin, with its highest concentration historically found within Eastern European countries such as Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, due to the high population of Jews residing there before the 20th century. Over time, many individuals bearing this name emigrated to various parts of the world, particularly the United States, Israel, Canada, and the United Kingdom, where they established new communities and spread the use of the surname. Today, significant populations of Lipkins can be found in these countries, as well as Australia, South Africa, and some other nations with a history of Jewish immigration. It is worth noting that the distribution of the name Lipkin may also reflect historical patterns of migration, such as those caused by wars or religious persecution.

Variants and spellings of the last name Lipkin

The surname Lipkin has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration and regional dialects. Some of these include Lipkyn, Lipkinas, Lipkins, Lipkyne, Lipchin, Lipchick, Lipkinoff, Lipkind, Lipkynsky, Lipinsky, Lipcohn, Lipchen, Lipke, and Lipken. These variants may also appear in different countries, with slight changes depending on the local phonetic rules or historical spelling conventions. For example, Lipkin may be written as Lipchik in some Eastern European countries or Lipchin in others. The origin of the name is Jewish, derived from the Yiddish words "Lip" meaning lip and "Kin" meaning family or descendants.

Famous people with the last name Lipkin

Notable individuals with the surname Lipkin include:

1. Paul Lipkin (born 1948), an American mathematician known for his contributions to number theory and algebraic geometry. He is a professor at Rutgers University.

2. Michael Lipkin (born 1960), a renowned American journalist who served as the White House correspondent for ABC News from 1987 to 2006.

3. Leonid Lipkin (1924-1998), a prominent Soviet and Russian mathematician, known for his work in differential geometry and topology. He made significant contributions to the study of Kahler manifolds and the Geometry of Complex Manifolds.

4. Sergei Lipkin (born 1956), a Russian-American theoretical physicist and science fiction author. He is known for his work on high-temperature superconductivity, nuclear astrophysics, and black hole thermodynamics. As a science fiction writer, he has published over a dozen novels.

5. Alexander Lipkin (1926-2017), a Russian-American pianist and conductor. He was the principal conductor of the Moscow State Symphony Orchestra for many years before immigrating to the United States in 1978. In America, he founded the New English Chamber Orchestra and served as its music director.

These individuals have made significant contributions in their respective fields, showcasing the intellectual prowess and diversity within the Lipkin family.

Genealogical research on the last name Lipkin

The Lipkin surname is of Ashkenazic Jewish origin, originating from regions that are now Poland and Lithuania. The name is derived from the Yiddish word "lipke," meaning "small fox." This last name can be traced back to medieval Eastern Europe, with early records showing variations such as Lypkin, Lypke, or Lipka in Jewish communities during the 16th and 17th centuries.

Some notable figures with the Lipkin surname include Rabbi Ephraim Lipkin (1892-1974), a prominent Talmudic scholar; and Isaac Dov Ber Lipkin, known as the "Sfas Emes" (1808-1866), another influential rabbi and Hasidic leader. The Lipkin family lineage has been well documented in Jewish genealogical records, particularly those related to the Polish region of Kalisz.

In more recent times, Lipkins have emigrated to various parts of the world due to historical events such as the Holocaust and the establishment of Israel. Today, Lipkin is a relatively rare surname, with most descendants residing in Israel, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Lipkin"
• 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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