Ashkenazi Jewish Family Names from the Russian Empire
aSHKENAZI jews selecting their last names
In the late 1800’s Russia was the largest country in the world. It extended from modern day Asia all the way over to Poland. One area specifically, called “The Pale of Settlement”, is where all Jews were forced to live within the Russian Empire. It includes all of modern-day Belarus, Moldova, much of Lithuania, Ukraine, and Poland, and a small part of Latvia and what is now the western Russian Federation. In a Jewish person wanted to live outside of the Pale, it required special permission from the Russian government and that wasn’t easy to get.
Life in the Pale was bleak, dangerous, and stricken with poverty. Jewish people were often attacked in Pogroms and anti-Jewish riots. Additionally, they were limited in the jobs they could have and most were tailors, merchants, and shopkeepers. Often times their job would play a part in their family names.
The Jewish people of the Russian Empire did not have family/surnames prior to the late 1700’s. In fact, Ashkenazic Jews were among the last Europeans to take family names. They primarily used a patronymic and matronymic naming system. For example: Moysha Ben Abraham (Moysha son of Abraham) or Slova bas Feiga (Slove daughter of Feiga). Around 1780 the Russian government wanted to be able to tax and draft their Jewish population. In an effort to streamline this process, they forced the Jewish people to take surnames. The good news? They were able to select their own surnames. So how did they choose?
"Our family name, Schneider, has been passed down through generations. It symbolizes our family's long-standing involvement in tailoring and garment making. It's an important part of our heritage that we proudly carry forward."
- David Schneider
Occupational Surnames
These names come from the various trades and professions that individuals or their ancestors practiced.
Goldsmith/Goldsmit: This surname indicated that an individual or their family was involved in the jewelry trade, particularly goldsmithing.
Schneider/Shnayder: Schneider means "tailor" in German and Yiddish, indicating a family's involvement in the garment industry.
Lehrer/Loirer: Derived from the Yiddish word for "teacher," this surname suggests a family's connection to education or religious instruction.
Cantor: A Cantor is a song leader. This last name represents an individual who sings in Shul.
Metzger: This surname refers to someone that worked as a butcher
Fischer: This last name indicates that someone along the line was likely a fisherman or a fish vendor
Geographic Surnames
Another intriguing aspect of Ashkenazi Jewish family names from the Russian Empire is their geographical origins. Many surnames were derived from the towns or regions where families resided or hailed from. These names may reflect a sense of attachment to their ancestral lands.
"Our family name, Litvak, has always reminded us of our Lithuanian roots and the rich history associated with it. It's a constant reminder of where we come from and the strength of our ancestors."
- Rachel Litvak
Here are some examples:
Warszawski: Derived from "Warsaw," this surname indicated a connection to Poland's capital city.
Litvak: Litvak refers to someone from Lithuania (Lita in Yiddish), highlighting their Lithuanian heritage.
Volinsky/Volynsky: This surname suggests ties to the historical region of Volhynia, which encompassed parts of present-day Ukraine, Belarus, and Poland.
Berliner: A person from Berlin might have taken this surname.
Wiener: This surname would indicate that the person lived in Vienna
Descriptive Surnames
Hoch: Translates to “tall” in German. This surname likely identified individuals of towering stature within the community.
Klein: Used by those of shorter stature, the Klein surname reflects a familial connection to more diminutive ancestors.
Cohen: Derived from the Hebrew word for "priest," Cohen signifies a lineage with ties to the priestly class.
Burger: Distinct from rural roots, the Burger surname denotes an urban or village background.
Shein: In Yiddish, Shein highlights a family's emphasis on physical appearance and attractiveness.
Rothman: This surname suggests a familial association with individuals who boasted distinctive red hair.
Gross: Reflecting a substantial size or prominence within the community, Gross captures the essence of largeness in various aspects.
eVOLUTION AND ADAPTION
Family names often evolve and adapt over time, reflecting changes in language, culture, and societal norms. This is true for Ashkenazi Jewish family names from the Russian Empire as well. Many surnames underwent modifications or were transliterated to fit different languages or alphabets.
For example:
Rabinovich/Rabinowitz: The original surname in Yiddish was Rabinovitsh, but it underwent changes when transliterated into Russian or other languages.
Katz/Kac: Derived from the Hebrew acronym Kohen Tzedek ("righteous priest"), this surname was often adapted to match the phonetics of different languages.
These adaptations allowed families to integrate seamlessly into their new surroundings while still preserving their ancestral heritage
The Ashkenazi Jewish family names from the Russian Empire provide a fascinating glimpse into the cultural mosaic of this vibrant community. From occupational surnames to geographical origins and the evolution of names over time, each surname tells a unique story.
These names serve as a testament to the resilience, diversity, and rich history of Ashkenazi Jews in the Russian Empire and beyond.
