Surname Simakow - Meaning and Origin
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Simakow: What does the surname Simakow mean?
The last name Simakow is of Slavic origin. It is derived from the name Simak or Semek, which is a diminutive of Simon, the Biblical name meaning, “He has heard.” The suffix -ow in its various forms is a patronymic marker, meaning that the name would have been used to identify generations of men within the same family line.
The Simakow surname is renowned as being a classic example of a polygenetic (or multi-family line) Slavic surname, as it can be found in Polish, Ukrainian, and Belarussian cultures. For example, the Belarussian form is Simakoŭ. It is an uncommon surname and could be found less than 50 people in the United States, and far fewer world-wide.
Since the Simakow surname is of Slavic origin, it can be assumed that the original bearers of the name had a close connection to one of these cultures. It is possible that they may have embraced the customs of their ancestors such as the traditional Slavic Orthodox Christian practice.
Overall, the Simakow name is an interesting study, representing centuries of intermarriage, migration and cultural exchange. It is a reminder that for every family tree, there is a deep root system, intertwining many different cultures and giving rise to a unique surname.
Order DNA origin analysisSimakow: Where does the name Simakow come from?
The last name Simakow is believed to have originated in Eastern Europe, most likely in the Ukraine, though the exact country origin is unknown. Today, Simakow is a common Polish and Ukrainian surname. According to FamilySearch, Simakow is the 282nd most common surname in Poland as of 2020, and the 1506th most common surname in Ukraine.
In the United States, the Simakow surname is relatively rare. According to the US Census, there are fewer than 50 people with the surname Simakow living in the US as of 2020. The states with the highest concentrations of Simakow individuals are New Jersey and New York, with several other Simakow individuals living in Pennsylvania and California.
In Canada, Simakow is even rarer, with a total of 17 individuals bearing this name. The highest concentrations of Simakow people live in the Provinces of Ontario and British Columbia.
Despite its rarity in the US and Canada, Simakow remains a common last name in Eastern Europe. In today's globalized world, many descendants of Eastern European immigrants now live abroad, which may explain why Simakow has become an increasingly rare surname in the US and Canada.
Variations of the surname Simakow
The surname Simakow has numerous variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Common variations of Simakow include Simakov, Simakoff, Simakovski, Simakowski, Simakovitch, Simakovich, Symecko, Simakovsky, Semchenko, Simachevsky, Semakoff, Simakova, Simakovets and Simalaw. These surnames have similar spellings and pronunciations with slight variances due to spelling, pronunciation or regional differences.
The origin of the Simakow name is from the Russian word “zhivot” meaning “life”. Historically, the Simakow surname was common among Eastern Slavic people, specifically Ukrainian and Belarusian families living in the former Soviet Union. During the post-WWII period, Simakows migrated to many different parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, and Western Europe.
The Simakow surname is also known by alternative surnames such as Simako, Symerko, Simachevskyi, and Samko. Different variations of the spelling are commonly found in Ukrainian, Polish, Belarusian, Czech, Russian, and German-speaking areas.
The Simakow surname is known for its distinctiveness. It is a relatively uncommon surname and can be associated with a unique family line stemming from the former Soviet Union. However, its closest variants are shared with many other Slavic-speaking countries.
Famous people with the name Simakow
- Alexander Simakow: Famous Jazz Violist and composer
- Nick Simakow: Professional skateboarder and entrepreneur
- András Simakow: Hungarian professional footballer
- Evelyn Simakow: American author and photographer
- John Simakow: Australian television journalist
- Małgorzata Simakow: Polish actress
- Miron Simakow: Ukrainian-Polish artist
- Renata Simakow: basketball player
- Sophia Simakow: American figure skater
- Bob Simakow: American business executive