Last Name Sudakoff

The surname Sudakoff is of Eastern European Jewish origin. It is derived from the Yiddish surname Suzdalovich, which itself was a locative name taken from the name of a town or region named Suzdal in Russia. This name, over time, has been anglicized to Sudakoff.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Sudakoff

The meaning and origin of the last name Sudakoff

The surname Sudakoff is of Russian Jewish origin, specifically from the Ashkenazi community. It is believed to have been derived from a geographical location or an occupational name, although the exact origin is unclear due to historical record losses during times of migration and persecution. The name may be associated with a place called Sudak, a town on the southern coast of the Crimean peninsula in Ukraine, which was a thriving center for Jewish life during medieval times. Alternatively, it could potentially stem from an occupation related to leather production, as "Sudak" means "tanner" in Old Russian. The name has variants such as Sudakof, Sudakov, and Sudack, and has been anglicized to Sudacoff or Sudcock in some cases due to phonetic alterations during migration.

Geographical distribution of the last name Sudakoff

The surname Sudakoff has its origins primarily from Eastern Europe, particularly in Russia and Ukraine. According to data from various sources, significant concentrations of individuals with the last name Sudakoff can be found in these regions. In Russia, it is most prevalent in cities such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg. In Ukraine, it is notably present in cities like Kiev, Odessa, and Kharkiv. There are also smaller groups of Sudakoffs in other parts of the world, including the United States, Israel, Canada, and Australia, predominantly due to migration from Eastern Europe during the 20th century. However, the distribution is not evenly dispersed across these countries, with higher concentrations found in urban areas with large Eastern European communities.

Variants and spellings of the last name Sudakoff

The surname Sudakoff has several variations and spellings. Some of them include:

1. Sudakof
2. Sudacoff
3. Sudackoff
4. Sudokoff
5. Zudakoff
6. Zudakof
7. Zudacoff
8. Zudackoff

These variations may arise due to differences in spelling conventions, phonetic interpretations, or migratory influences over time. It's important to note that while these spellings may appear different, they all stem from the original name Sudakoff.

Famous people with the last name Sudakoff

The Sudakoff family is notable for producing several distinguished individuals in various fields. One of the most recognized figures is Marvin Sudakoff, an American journalist and novelist who was a correspondent for Time magazine and later became editor-in-chief of Newsweek. In his literary career, he penned over 20 novels including "The Fixer" and "Nightingale's Song."

Another notable Sudakoff is Henry A. Sudakoff, an American historian who specialized in U.S. Civil War studies. He served as the editor of The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant and made significant contributions to our understanding of the Civil War era.

Lastly, there's Dr. Michael Sudakoff, a renowned orthopedic surgeon based in Los Angeles, known for his expertise in sports medicine and joint replacement surgery. He has treated numerous professional athletes and is an active contributor to medical literature. These individuals exemplify the intellectual and professional achievements associated with the Sudakoff name.

Genealogical research on the last name Sudakoff

The Sudakoff surname is of Jewish origin and is believed to have roots in Russia. Early records show that the name appeared in various parts of Russia, such as Moscow and Smolensk provinces, in the late 19th century. Some Sudakoffs immigrated to the United States in the early 20th century, settling primarily in New York City and its surroundings. Notable individuals with this surname include Abraham Sudakoff, a Russian-born American businessman who co-founded the clothing retailer S&S Sportswear, and Michael Sudakoff, an American photographer known for his work capturing New York City's street life in the 1960s. The Sudakoff family history reflects the larger Jewish diaspora from Russia to America during this period.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "sudakoff"
• 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 : 30 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends