Surname Todoroff - Meaning and Origin
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Todoroff: What does the surname Todoroff mean?
The last name Todoroff is derived from the given name Todor, which is the Bulgarian and Macedonian equivalent of the English name Theodore. Todoroff is an occupational surname, meaning it describes the profession of an ancestor. It is believed to come from the Bulgarian and Macedonian words "todor" and "todorka", which both translates to "gift of God". Therefore, the surname Todoroff can roughly be translated as "God's gift-maker", and would have been used to refer to individuals who made gifts for God or sacred items, to be used in religious ceremonies.
It is not clear when the Todoroff surname first came into use, however, it is known that it appears in parts of Bulgaria, Macedonia, and Serbia in modern times. The surname Todoroff is quite common in this region, and is also found in many other parts of the world, particularly in countries that are home to descendants of Bulgarian, Macedonian and Serbian emigrants.
The Todoroff name is also recognized as being a noble family, in particular in Vojvodina, Serbia, where the name originated. Many generations ago, members of the Todoroff family eventually became lords, who ruled many of the small villages in the region. Today, the name Todoroff still carries a strong and proud connection to this ancient history of nobility and blessing.
Order DNA origin analysisTodoroff: Where does the name Todoroff come from?
The last name Todoroff is most commonly found in Bulgarian-speaking countries today. It is derived from the personal name Todor, a form of the Greek name Theodore, which means "gift of God."
In Bulgaria, Todoroff is the 43rd most common surname with over twenty thousand people claiming it as of 2020. It is particularly prevalent in the capital, Sofia, where it is the 21st most popular name, as well as in other large cities such as Plovdiv and Varna. It is also found in large numbers in Burgas province, which has the fourth highest concentration of the name.
Todoroff is also found in other Balkan countries such as Serbia, Romania, and particularly in Macedonia, where it is the 40th most common name. It has also spread further afield and in recent years has turned up in records in the United States, Canada, and South America.
Todoroff is an interesting name, and its popularity across the Balkans and beyond makes it a truly global one. For anyone who is curious about their own family name, discovering its origins can be a fascinating journey.
Variations of the surname Todoroff
The surname Todoroff is a patronymic surname derived from the Slavic personal name of the same origin, Todor. This personal name was derived from the Greek Theodoros meaning “gift of God”. Variants, spellings, and alternate surnames of the same origin are: Todorov, Todorovic, Todorovski, Todorovich, Todorowski, Todoro, Todorow, Todoroski, Todorski, Todero, and Todorcevic.
The Todorov variant is a common Bulgarian, Serbian and Macedonian name, while Todorovski is of Bulgarian origin. Todorovich is the Croatian spelling and is usually found amongst Croatians originating from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Todorowski is also a common Slavic name. Todoro, Todorow, Todoroski, Todorski, and Todorcevic are mainly found in Poland, while Todoro is also found amongst Romanians.
Todoroff is a patronymic surname and generally denotes a descendant or offspring of a Todor. It is thus related to the forms listed above, but the main difference between a patronymic and a surname is that the former is inherited from the father or male ancestor, while a surname is not dependent on which parent the person is descended from. The difference is not always obvious; for example, it is possible to find the same patronymic surname spelled differently depending on the country or language. Thus, some variant spellings in other countries might include forms such as Todorowa, Todorowicz, and Todorsky, depending on the country of origin.
Famous people with the name Todoroff
- John Todoroff: Actor best known for roles in television series Magnum PI, Baywatch and Picket Fences.
- Ross Todoroff: Actor who made appearances in Orange Is the New Black and House of Cards.
- Irena Todoroff: Bulgarian actress known for films such as The Coffinmaker, The Firebenders and The Nature of the Beast.
- Ivan Todoroff: Founder of the ballet school in Ruse, Bulgaria. A leader in the ballet world in the 1970s.
- David Todoroff: Renowned American painter and sculptor known for his abstract art.
- Kostadin Todoroff: Actor who appeared in Bulgarian films such as Siuntchen, Be Slighted and Disgraced.
- Stefan Todoroff: Director and animator of Bulgarian films including Lost Dream, Freedom and Open Up.
- Elizabeth Todoroff: Artist known for her large-scale paintings and innovative multimedia installation.
- Don Todoroff: American filmmaker, musician and videographer. Best known for his music video for the band Modest Mouse.
- Branko Todoroff: Actor known for roles in films such as Perfect Killers, Intristeto and Fertility Dream.