Russian surnames have many origins, including occupation, father’s first name, personal or family nickname, geographical location, and even personal surnames given to seminary students based on their good or bad qualities. The list includes the 40 best and most popular contemporary Russian surnames, meanings, and variations.
Best Russian Surnames and Meanings
| Surname in English | Meaning | Details and Variations |
| Ivanov | son of Ivan | female: Ivanova |
| Smirnov | from смирный – peaceful, quiet, calm | female: Smirnova |
| Petrov | son of Pyotr | female: Petrova |
| Sidorov | son of Sidor | female: Sidorova |
| Kuznetsov | from кузнец – blacksmith | female: Kuznetsova |
| Popov | from поп – priest | female: Popova |
| Vassiliev | son of Vassily | female: Vassilieva. Can also be spelled as Vasiliev / Vasilieva |
| Sokolov | from сокол – falcon, hawk | female: Sokolova |
| Mikhailov | son of Mikhail | female: Mikhailova |
| Novikov | from Новик – old Russian for newcomer | from the secular (mirskoe) name/nickname Novik, which comes from the word ‘new’ |
| Fyodorov | son of Fyodor | female: Fyodorova |
| Morozov | from мороз – frost | Female: Morozova |
| Volkov | from волк – wolf | female: Volkova |
| Alekseev | son of Alexei | female: Alekseeva |
| Lebedev | from лебедь – swan | female: Levedeva |
| Semyonov | son of Semyon | female: Semyonova |
| Yegorov | son of Yegor | female: Yegorova |
| Pavlov | son of Pavel | female: Pavlova |
| Kozlov | from козел – goat | female: Kozlova |
| Stepanov | son of Stepan | female: Stepanova |
| Nikolaev | son of Nikolai | female: Nikolaeva. Can also be spelled as Nikolayev / Nikolayeva |
| Orlov | from орел – eagle | female: Orlova |
| Andreev | son of Andrei | female: Andreeva. Can also be spelled as Andreyev / Andreyeva |
| Makarov | son of Makary | female: Makarova |
| Nikitin | son of Nikita | female: Nikitina |
| Zakharov | son of Zakhar / Zakhary | female: Zakharova |
| Solovyov | from соловей – nightingale | female: Solovyova |
| Zaitsev | from заяц – hare | female: Zaitseva |
| Golubev | from голубь – dove, pigeon | female: Golubeva |
| Vinogradov | from виноград – grapes | female: Vinogradova |
| Belyaev | from Беляй | female: Belyaeva. Originates from the secular name or nickname that meant ‘white’ |
| Tarasov | son of Taras | female: Tarasova |
| Belov | from Беляй or Белый | female: Belova. Originates from the secular name or nickname that meant ‘white |
| Komarov | from комар – gnat, mosquito | female: Komarova |
| Kiselyov | from кисель – kissel | female: Kiselyova. Originates from the name of a Russian traditional fruit drink similar to mors with the addition of starch or arrowroot |
| Kovalyov | female: Kovalyova | |
| Ilyin | son of Ilya | female: Ilyina |
| Gusev | from гусь – goose | female: Guseva |
| Titov | son of Tit | female: Titova |
| Kuzmin | son of Kuzma | female: Kuzmina |
