Surname Prokofiev - Meaning and Origin

Prokofiev: What does the surname Prokofiev mean?

The last name Prokofiev is derived from the Russian word "prokofyev" meaning "son of a priest." It's found throughout Eastern Europe and is most common in Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. Prokofiev is a patronymic surname referring to the son of an Orthodox church priest. It comes from the combination of the Greek words “pater” (father) and “prokopios” (ready to cut/to hatch).

The Prokofiev family tree can be traced back to 16th century Russia. It's thought to originate from a Polish family of Prokofijs (also spelled Prokovin) in the Vilanculos district of Smolensk. The first mention of the Prokofiev family in the Russian records is in 1612.

Throughout history, the surname has been passed down from father to son and those who have carried it have been proud of their family name. Prokofievs have made their mark in many fields such as the arts, sciences, the military as well as in politics and economics.

The most famous Prokofiev is probably the Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev. He was born in the town of Sontsovka in 1891 and was a renowned composer, pianist, and conductor. He composed some of the most iconic pieces of Russian classical music such as the ballets "Romeo and Juliet," "The Prodigal Son," and "Cinderella."

The Prokofiev name is a proud testament to centuries of greatness and perseverance. It has been carried by great composers, thinkers, and brave soldiers who all fought for the rights and privileges of their people. It stands as a reminder of the resilience, strength, and passion that has kept the Prokofievs going throughout the years.

Prokofiev: Where does the name Prokofiev come from?

The last name Prokofiev is common primarily in Russia. It is particularly well represented in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Primorsky Krai, Ivanovo Oblast, and Krasnodar Krai. It is a surname derived from the Russian masculine given name “Prokopiy”, meaning “someone who is progressing”. It is believed to have seen its peak of popularity in the 19th century. The most famous bearer of this name is Sergei Prokofiev, one of the foremost composers of the 20th century. His father was a landowner, originally from the Don region.

There is also a sizeable diaspora of the Prokofiev name outside of the Russian Federation and the former Soviet Union. Prokofiev emigrants can be found in Europe, such as Germany and Poland, as well as North America, particularly in the United States and Canada. There is a notable concentration of Prokofievs in New York City and southern California.

Sergei Prokofiev emigrated to the United States in 1922 and the Prokofiev household became a strong part of the Russian emigre society in the United States. His children's works are on display at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City.

While it is not the most common surname in Russia, Prokofiev is still a relatively more frequent last name than in other countries. It stands out for being the surname of one of the eminent composers of the twentieth century, and it may never lose its notoriety due to its highly recognisable bearer, Sergei Prokofiev.

Variations of the surname Prokofiev

The surname Prokofiev has a range of variants, spellings and surnames associated with the same origin. The main variants are Prokofieff, Prokofyeva, Prokofjev and Prkoff. There are also alternative spellings and surnames of Prokofieva, Prokofyev, Prokofyevich, Prokofievich and Prokofyevich.

The surname Prokofiev is a patronymic derived from the Russian personal name 'Prokofy', which is itself derived from the Greek name 'Prokopios'. The root of the name Prokofiev is from the Greek 'Prokopios', meaning 'one that advances' or 'one that progresses forward'. The name can be translated as 'son of Prokofy' or 'son of the one that progresses, advances'.

The name Prokofiev can be found in a number of countries aside from just Russia. It is also used in Bulgaria, Macedonia and Serbia. The name has been popularised by the famous Russian composer and pianist, Sergey Prokofiev.

Due to the global nature of the name, there are also cultures which have adapted the name Prokofiev into their own language or have adopted the name from other cultures – such as China, where the surnames ‘Prukofiev’ and ‘Prakofiev’ have become common.

The surname Prokofiev and its variants and spellings are mostly associated with Russian and East European cultures and people, though due to globalisation the name can be found in many countries and cultures.

Famous people with the name Prokofiev

• Sergei Prokofiev: Sergei Prokofiev was a Russian composer and conductor who composed symphonic, operatic, and chamber works. He is known for his ballets, such as The Prodigal Son and Romeo and Juliet.
• Oleg Prokofiev: Oleg Prokofiev was the great-grandson of Sergey Prokofiev, a renowned Russian composer, and was a soloist with the Kirov Ballet. He trained at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet and danced briefly with the New York City Ballet and Les Ballets de Monte Carlo.
• Svyatoslav Prokofiev: Svyatoslav Prokofiev was a Russian pianist and composer, widely considered one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. He was the son of the composer Sergei Prokofiev and was known for his interpretations of prose works by Russian authors like Pushkin and Gogol.
• Oleg Prokofiev: Oleg Prokofiev is the youngest son of the great composer Sergey Prokofiev, and a music producer, live mixer, and sound engineer. He has worked with Universal, EMI and Warner Music labels and mixed for festivals such as Burning Man and Boom Festival.
• Oleg Prokofiev Jr.: Oleg Prokofiev Jr. is a Russian-American music composer, producer, and keyboard player. He is the son of Oleg Prokofiev and the grandson of composer Sergei Prokofiev. He has worked with artists such as Moby, R.E.M., The Brand New Heavies, and others.

Other surnames

Prokofieva