Last Name Voronkova

The surname Voronkova has roots in Eastern Slavic cultures, particularly within Russia. It derives from the Russian word "voron," which means 'raven' in English. Surnames were introduced across the Russian Empire during the course of the 18th century as part of a series of reforms by Emperor Peter the Great. Before this time, personal names were usually suffixed with patronymic names to differentiate between individuals with the same first name within a family. The process of adopting surnames was gradual and regional, but it's likely that families in areas under Russian influence, such as Ukraine and Belarus, also have similar last names. The specific origin of the Voronkova surname can be traced back to an individual or family who was named after a physical characteristic, occupation, place of origin, or some other distinguishing feature. However, without additional information about the particular lineage or geographical location, it's impossible to determine the exact origin of any specific occurrence of this surname.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Voronkova

The meaning and origin of the last name Voronkova

The surname Voronkova is of Russian origin, deriving from various geographical locations in Russia named "Voronka" or "Vorontsovo". These place names are derived from the word "voron", meaning 'raven' in Russian, due to the dark, raven-like color of the soil in these areas. Over time, these place names and their variant surnames have been adopted by individuals who hailed from or settled near these locations. The surname Voronkova, specifically, is a feminine form derived from the masculine surname Voronkov, indicating that it was likely passed down through female ancestors in some cases. Today, the surname is relatively rare but can be found among the Russian diaspora and in Slavic communities around the world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Voronkova

The surname Voronkova is primarily concentrated in Russia, with the majority of its occurrences found within the Central Federal District, particularly in cities like Moscow and Tver. It is also notably present in other regions such as Siberia, Ural, and Northwestern Federal District. Outside of Russia, the name has been recorded in various countries due to migration, with significant populations found in Ukraine, Belarus, and the United States. In the United States, it is most frequently found in cities with a large Russian immigrant population such as New York City and Los Angeles.

Variants and spellings of the last name Voronkova

The last name Voronkova has several variants and spellings, primarily due to differences in transliteration from Cyrillic to Latin script and regional variations in pronunciation. Some common variations include Voronkov, Voronkoff, Voroncova, and Voronkova-Dahl. In Russian, the name can also be written as Воронкова, Воронков, Воронкоff, and Воронцова. These variations may arise due to differences in family tradition, migration, or transcription errors over time. Regardless of the spelling, all these forms are derived from the common Russian surname originating from the word "ворона" meaning 'raven'.

Famous people with the last name Voronkova

Notable individuals bearing the surname Voronov/Voronkova include:

1. Anastasia Voronova: A Russian-American chess player and Women's Grandmaster (WGM). She was awarded the title in 2010 at the age of 13, making her one of the youngest female players to achieve such a distinction.

2. Pavel Voronov: A former Russian professional ice hockey player who played for teams such as CSKA Moscow and the New York Islanders. He was drafted by the New York Islanders in the first round (14th overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

3. Ulyana Sergeenko: Although her surname is Sergeenko, she was previously married to Igor Voronov. She is a Russian fashion designer based in Paris and has been named one of the top emerging designers by Vogue magazine. Her brand has been showcased during Paris Fashion Week since 2011.

4. Gleb Voronov: A Russian-born American filmmaker, writer, and visual artist who is best known for his work on "The Darkest Hour" (2011) and "Bitter Harvest" (2017). He has also been the recipient of numerous awards in the film industry.

Genealogical research on the last name Voronkova

Voronkova is an East Slavic surname of Russian origin, derived from the male given name Voron, which means "raven" in Old Russian. The surname can be traced back to various regions in Russia, with some of the earliest known records appearing in the 17th century. Notable individuals bearing the surname include Anna Kournikova, a professional tennis player who was born in Russia but moved to the United States as a child. Another prominent individual is Ksenia Sobchak, a Russian television host, journalist, and politician. The Voronkova family tree is vast and complex, with multiple branches spread across Russia and other parts of the world due to migrations and marital relations over centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "voronkova"
• 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

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