Surname Golubewa - Meaning and Origin
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Golubewa: What does the surname Golubewa mean?
The last name Golubewa is of Russian origin, derived from the words for "pigeon" (golub') and "son of" (evich). It was most likely a name given to a person who had a connection with the pigeon-keeping industry such as a farmer, breeder, or seller of pigeons.
Throughout history, pigeons were used by Russian nobility for a variety of purposes. They were used to deliver messages and documents, called "pigeon post," between long distances and some aristocrats used to keep them as pets. In fact, the popularity of pigeon-keeping as a hobby was so widespread during the 18th and 19th centuries that the “Heralds of the Chirping Hosts” holiday was created to celebrate it.
The name Golubewa can also be used to denote someone with the characteristics of a pigeon - such as loyalty, camaraderie, and dedication. The name can also connote someone who is gentle, meek, and patient. The last name is often associated with the phrase “patience is a virtue”, too, as well as purity.
Overall, the last name Golubewa symbolizes fidelity and patience. It may have originally been used in a practical, occupational sense, but today it demonstrates the idea of strength and gentleness combined, traits that can bring about endearing results in difficult times.
Order DNA origin analysisGolubewa: Where does the name Golubewa come from?
The last name Golubewa is mainly found in parts of Eastern Europe. It is most commonly found in Belarus and Russia, although in smaller numbers it can be seen in Ukraine, Lithuania, and Latvia.
The name is derived from the word “Golub” which can be translated to “dove” and is a term of endearment. In Russia it is also associated with the word “priyatel” which means "friend". It was originally adopted by peasants looking to symbolise the seemingly infinite friendship between families but as the name has spread and evolved it is now simply another family name.
It is estimated that over 5,000 people in Russia currently carry the Golubewa name with numbers in Belarus similar. Across Ukraine, Lithuania, and Latvia estimates are lower but still in the thousands.
The vast majority of those with the name are Russian Orthodox Christians, but a large amount are of other faiths and several smaller Jewish communities also live in areas with a high representation of people with the last name.
Overall the Golubewa last name is still fairly common in parts of Eastern Europe and shows no signs of disappearing any time soon.
Variations of the surname Golubewa
Golubewa is a surname with several variants and alternate spellings.
The most common variant is “Golubev” which is found in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. It is derived from the Russian word “golub” meaning “pigeon” or “dove.” It is believed that the bearer of this name was descended from a family of pigeon-keepers or dove-keepers.
In Poland, “Golab” is the variant found most often. It is derived from the Polish word “golab” meaning “dove,” again suggesting that the original bearer of the name was descended from a family of dove-keepers.
In Germany, the variant is “Göhlbe” and is derived from the German word “göhlbe” meaning “dove.” Likewise, the original bearer of this name was most likely of a family of pigeon-keepers or dove-keepers.
The most common alternate spellings are “Gołubiew” (Poland), “Golubiew” (Russia/Belarus/Ukraine), “Gohlp” (Germany), ”Golobyev” (Kazakhstan) and “Golubevo” (Russia).
Other surnames of similar origin include: “Golobokov” (Russia/Ukraine); “Golopupenko” (Russia/Ukraine); “Golupanov” (Ukraine); “Golubitsky” (Ukraine); “Golybanov” (Russia); “Golyha” (Ukraine); “Golovenko” (Russia); and “Golovyn” (Ukraine).
Famous people with the name Golubewa
- Anastasia Golubewa: Russian YouTube vlogger known for her beauty and lifestyle-oriented videos.
- Alexander Golubewa: Soviet ethnographer and author of several books on the culture and customs of the Russian population in Central Asia.
- Natalia Golubewa: Russian actress best known for her roles in cult movies like 'Attack on a Doll Factory' and 'Neptune'.
- Alexandr Golubew: Belarusian military politician and former Chief of the Ministry of Defense of Belarus.
- Sergey Golubew: Soviet air force officer, one of the founders of aero-modelling in the USSR.
- Pavel Golubew: Russian modern art painter whose works are on display in the Tretyakov Gallery.
- Julia Golubewa: Russian model and former Miss Russia contestant.
- Vladislav Golubev: Russian actor and voice actor known for dubbing films in the Russian language.
- Dmitry Golubev: Russian singer and songwriter, participant of the project 'Golos'.
- Svetlana Golubewa: Ukrainian journalist and TV presenter, winner of the National TV Award.