Last Name Todor

The surname Todor has roots in Slavic cultures, particularly among East and Southeast European populations. It is derived from a variety of given names that were commonly used in these regions, such as Todor or Teodor, which are forms of Theodore in Greek and Thietmar/Theoderich in Old High German. The name means "gift of God" or "God's gift." In Bulgaria, the surname Todor is quite common and can be found among both ethnic Bulgarians and Pomaks (Muslim Bulgarians). In Macedonia, it is also a relatively widespread surname. Other variations of this name include Todaro, Todorovich, Todoroff, and others, which may reflect regional dialects or changes in spelling over time.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Todor

The meaning and origin of the last name Todor

The surname Todor is of Slavic origin, specifically from Bulgaria and other Eastern European countries where the Slavic language is predominant. The name derives from the Slavic given name Todor or Teodor, which is a variation of the Greek name Theodore, meaning "gift of God" or "divine gift."

The name Todor has been popular in Bulgaria since medieval times and was often used as both a first name and a surname. In some cases, it may have evolved from a nickname given to someone born on the feast day of St. Theodore, which is celebrated on various dates depending on the Eastern Orthodox tradition.

As with many Slavic surnames, Todor can be found in various spellings and forms due to historical and linguistic factors, such as transliteration from the Cyrillic alphabet and regional variations in pronunciation. Some of these variations include Todorov, Todorovic, Todorovich, and others.

Geographical distribution of the last name Todor

The surname Todor has its origins primarily in Slavic-speaking countries, particularly Bulgaria and Serbia. It is one of the most common surnames in these regions due to historical reasons and variations in spellings over time. In Bulgaria, it is a variant of the name Todorov, which is derived from the first name Todor meaning "gift of God" or "god's gift" in Slavic languages. In Serbia, it may also have regional variants such as Todorović, Todosijević, and others. The distribution of this surname can be traced outside of the Balkan Peninsula among diaspora communities, particularly in countries with significant Bulgarian or Serbian immigrant populations, such as the United States, Canada, Germany, Austria, and Australia.

Variants and spellings of the last name Todor

The surname Todor, originating from Slavic roots, has various spelling variants and alternate forms due to differences in translation, transcription, and regional pronunciation. Some common variants include Todorov, Todoroff, Todorich, Todorovich, Todorovsky, Todorovich, and Todoroffsky. Additionally, there may be slight phonetic variations such as Todaro, Tador, or Tadar, though these are less common. In some cases, the name can also be found in its feminine form Todorova, Todoroffa, or Todorichna for females with this last name. These spelling variations reflect the name's Slavic origins and its migration through time and geography.

Famous people with the last name Todor

Notable individuals bearing the surname Todor include:

1. Georgi Todorov (born 1942), a Bulgarian historian and philologist, known for his works on the history of Byzantium and medieval Europe.
2. Todor Zhivkov (1911-1998), a prominent Bulgarian Communist Party leader who served as General Secretary from 1954 to 1989, leading Bulgaria under Soviet influence during the Cold War era.
3. Vesselin Todorov (1932-2017), a Bulgarian literary critic and historian, best known for his book "The Conquest of America: The Question of the Other," an analysis of the cultural encounter between Europeans and Native Americans.
4. Stefan Todorov (born 1968), a Canadian-Bulgarian computer scientist, known for his contributions to the fields of data mining, machine learning, and databases. He is currently a professor at the University of Toronto.

Genealogical research on the last name Todor

The surname Todor originates from Slavic roots and is predominantly found among Eastern European populations, particularly in Bulgaria, Serbia, Romania, and Macedonia. Historically, it's derived from the given name Todor or Theodore, which means "gift of God" in Greek. In the Middle Ages, many Slavic tribes were influenced by Byzantine culture, and the adoption of Christian names like Todor became common.

The name has undergone various spelling variations over time due to transliteration and local dialects. Some of these include Todorov, Todorovic, Todorovitch, Todorova, and Todorovski. Notable figures bearing the name Todor include Todor Zhivkov, a Bulgarian communist politician who ruled Bulgaria for 35 years, and Todor Kavaldjiev, a Bulgarian composer known for his contributions to contemporary classical music.

Genealogical research suggests that the Todor lineage can be traced back to various regions in the Balkan Peninsula, particularly Bulgaria, where the name is most common. Further exploration of family trees and records from these regions may provide more insights into the origins and history of the Todor family.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Todor"
• 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 : 28 July 2025

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