Meaning & History
Volkov is a common Russian surname derived from the word volk, meaning "wolf". It follows a typical Slavic patronymic surname pattern, often indicating descent from someone nicknamed for wolf-like traits.
The name is widely distributed across Russia and its diaspora. In the United States, according to the 2010 census, Volkov was the 29,366th most common surname, primarily found among individuals of White (96.89%) background (Wiktionary).
Alternative forms include Volkoff, Wolkow, and Wolkoff, reflecting transliteration variations. The patronymic derived from the same root is Volkovich (Волкович).
Notable bearers include Soviet and Russian figures in various fields: Mikhail Volkov (1920–1989), a geologist; Oleg Volkov (born 1946), a Russian painter; and Vladimir Volkov (born 1954), a cosmonaut. The astronaut Konstantin Volkov (1960–2019), with 49 days in space, also shared the surname; however, his father, Alexander Volkov (astronaut), is more famous.
Related Names
- Meaning: Wolf
- Origin: Russian
- Type: Surname
- Usage Regions: Russia, countries with Russian diaspora
Related Names
Sources: Wiktionary — Volkov