Surname von Orloff - Meaning and Origin
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von Orloff: What does the surname von Orloff mean?
The last name von Orloff is a hereditary German noble title that means "from Orloff", originating from a place in what is now Ukraine. It can denote a class of German nobility, being a title of nobility that was often added to the names of former German nobility who had their noble rights revoked by Napoleon I or the Prussian kings.
The name denoted a rank of nobility or honorary status, usually acquired through royal decree. These titles typically designated honour or respect, though they could also signify high social and economic standing due to wealth or occupation. The title 'von Orloff' was most commonly associated with aristocracy, but could also be acquired through membership in a private club or organization.
In many cases, such titles were not hereditary, so they could not be passed down from generation to generation. In Germany, the term ‘von’ was generally associated with the nobility, usually with those from ancient or noble families. Some of the most famous German noble families with the von Orloff name were the von Orloff-Görtz, the von Orloff-Molotov, and the von Orloff-Lisovsky families.
The von Orloff surname has become a symbol of nobility and nobility recognition throughout Europe. During the Monarchic era, the title would have added an aura of respect and recogniton to families and individuals alike, although the title itself never guaranteed a special standing in Europe. Even today, many people cherish this last name and all the pride and respect it entails.
Order DNA origin analysisvon Orloff: Where does the name von Orloff come from?
The last name von Orloff is most commonly found as a part of noble families that can trace their lineage back to the Russian Imperial Family from the 18th century. During that time, Catherine the Great of Russia appointed many members of the noble Orloff family to prominent positions, giving them the name von Orloff. After the fall of the Romanov dynasty, many von Orloff descendants migrated to other parts of Europe and the world.
Today, the von Orloff name can be found all across Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, Romania, Russia, and Finland. Many von Orloff families have also made their way to the United States and other countries such as Canada, Argentina, and Brazil. Some have adopted hyphenated surnames such as von Orloff-Rosenberg, while others have dropped the “von” from their surname and integrated into the larger communities they inhabit.
November 2020 will mark a historic event for the von Orloff family—the 200th anniversary of the death of Grigorii Grigorievich Orlov, the favorite of Catherine the Great and founder of the von Orloff dynasty. Delegates from across Europe and the United States plan to gather in St. Petersburg, Russia, to commemorate this event and celebrate the von Orloff legacy. Although von Orloff descendants are scattered across the globe, they remain tightly bound by their shared family heritage.
Variations of the surname von Orloff
The surname Von Orloff (also spelled 'Orlov', 'Orlow', 'Orloff' and 'Orlova') is a family name descended from the Russian nobility. It is derived from the Russian term 'Орлов', meaning "eagle" or "falcon".
The surname is most commonly associated with the Orlov or Orlovsky family, an influential and wealthy clan of the Russian aristocracy in the 18th and 19th centuries. One of the most famous members of this family was Count Alexei Grigoryevich Orlov, a general in the Imperial Russian Army during the Russo-Turkish War of 1768.
The main branches of the Orlov family were those of Moscow, St Petersburg, and Tver, as well as those of some of their relatives in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Ukraine.
Variations and spellings of the surname von Orloff include Orlov, Orlow, Orloff, and Orlova. Other surnames of similar origin include Orlovka, Orlovskiy, and Orlova-Kulikovskaya. The von Orloff family were later also known as the Orlov-Orlova family, which is thought to be a variant of the name.
Variations of this family name can be found in former Russian territories such as Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania as well. For example, the Latvian surname 'Von Orlovs' and the Estonian surname 'Von Orlovska'.
Many people bearing these surnames have migrated to North America, and it is now a relatively common surname in the US and Canada.
Famous people with the name von Orloff
- Prince Michael D. von Orloff: a Russian prince, philanthropist, and treasurer of the Russia House at Dartmouth College.
- Alexander von Orloff: a German theatre director and opera singer.
- General Boris von Orloff: a Russian general who became a prominent leader in the Napoleonic Wars.
- Countess Maria Gertrude von Orloff: an Austrian countess and a noted collector of porcelain.
- Count Francis John von Orloff: a Russian admiral, member of the Romanov dynasty, and one of the founders of the Russian navy.
- Melchior von Orloff: a German stage and film actor of Austrian-Jewish descent, best known for his role in The Three Musketeers.
- Baron Viktor von Orloff: a Russian landscape and portrait painter, known for his typical peasant scenes and peasant portraits.
- Captain Pyotr von Orloff: a Russian naval officer who led the fleet in the Battle of Grengam in 1714.
- Sofia von Orloff: a Russian photographer, best known for her portraits of the Russian Imperial Family.
- Princess Elisabeth von Orloff: a member of the Russian aristocratic family, and the second wife of Grand Duke Michael Nikolayevich of Russia.