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An index of Bukharian Surnames with meaning
Where available, the Kohen, Levi or Israel castes are indicated in parenthesis.
(click on links to search)
A
Abayev - son of Abo
Abdiyev - (definition needed)
Abidov - (definition needed)
Abjierov - (definition needed)
Abramov - son of Abram / Avraham
Abokhiyaev - Son of Abo Hiyo
Aharonov - son of Aharon
Akilov - from "oq Il", which means clear mind, wise
Akbashev / Akgbashoff - from "oq boshi", which means white head
Akhunov - Uzbek for a Tall and strong man (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Aksakalov - from "oq soqol", which means white beard - a nickname for elders
Alayev / Alaev - Comes from Uzbek word "Alo" meansing "blue". They were named for having blue eyes (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Alishayev - son of 'Ali Shah' - High King; son of Elishah
Aminov - There are many variations to these families, however, one famous root comes from the "chala" Jews who were using the last name, or were given the last-name Aminov, from "Amin" which is a title of a Muslim Cleric. It was a way in which the mainstream Jewish community would distinguish itself, via name, from those who either converted or took the role of Islam. (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov)
Also short version from Biniamin. Also from Binyamin Son of Kandini and Mullo (Mullokandov) his name was Binyamin Amini Mullokand and his children were Aminov (the Eshon ones are Kohanim, the Kashuk ones aren't).
The Aminov/Aminoff family whose patriarch is Binyamin Aminov, husband of Tzipora Pinchasov, has a different origin for its name. The original name was Binyaminov, but the family decided to shorten the name to Aminov.
Amramov - son of Amram
Amuyev / Amuev - (definition needed)
Arabov - Of Arabic lands (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Arak-Mastov - means drinking vodka
Arbabov - from the persian word "arbab" meaning master and landlord (Kohen)
Aronov - son of Aron (Levi) (Israel)
Aronbayev - son of Aharon + "boy", meaning rich
Asherov - son of Asher
Avezbadalov - Uzbek for great one of exchange or merchant (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Avezbakiyev - (definition needed)
Avezov - Reference to greatness or of higher position in Uzbek. May have its original roots in Viceroy (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Aulov / Avulov - People were names "Oul" by Uzbeks usllay to Kazaks who dwelled in their lands. The name referred to tents that would be set up in open fields to form camps (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Ayasov - From word "Ayos", which is a cool morning breeze (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Aylarov / Allarov - From Uzbek word of "Oylar" referencing to dancing or dancers (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
B
Babakhanov - from the word bovo, which mean grandfather, colloquially 'old man' and khan a title given to rulers. (Levi) (Israel)
Babayev - from the word "bovo", which mean grandfather or colloquially 'old man' (Kohen) (Levi) (Israel)
Baybabayev - bay/boy meaning well-to-do, and baba/bovo meaning grandfather.
Bachaev - from the word "bacha", which means a child
Baybachaev - from the words "boy" meaning a rich and and "bacha" child
Bababekov - (definition needed)
Babekov - (definition needed) (Kohen),(Israel)
Badalbayev - from word "badal" meaning exchange and "boy" meaning rich
Badalov- from the word "badal" meaning exchange.
Balkhiyev - from city of Balkh near Mazar-i-Sherif in Afghanistan
Bangiyev - from the uzbek word "bangi" meaning a drug addict. They came from Afghanistan
Barakov - from the Hebrew word Barak which means lightning. Other means, contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov, from the Uzbek word "Barak" Which was a pastry made by boiling dough and glazing it with honey and other sweets.
Barayev / Baraev- from the word "Bara" meaning a lamb (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Baturov - A reference to greatness or strength, "Botur" (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Benyaminov - son of Benyamin
Benyayev - possibly from the Hebrew name Benaya
Bibichaev - from the word "bivicha" meaning grandmother
Bobodustov - from the Tajik words bobo (grand father) and doost (friend).
Borukhov - son of Borukh
C
Chakchakov - means eloquent. Another explanation contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov, is from the word "Chackcha", which constitutes babbling or excessive talking.
Chulpayev - (definition needed)
Chulakov - (definition needed)
D
Dabakarov - Broken into two "daba" and Kor", referencing to strong or heavy worker. (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Daniarov / Danyarov - the son of Danyar, a muslim version of the name Daniel
Danielov - son of Daniel
Davidov / Davydov - Son of David (Kohen) (Israel)
Davrayev - From the word "Davra" meaning gathering - gathering of men sitting together in meal or singing (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Dayanaev - from the Hebrew word "dayan" meaning a judge
Dehkanov - from the Uzbek word "dekhkon" meaning a peasant
Djavarov / Dzhavarov - (definition needed)
Dzhavsarov - (definition needed)
Dzhurayev - son of Dzhura. (Kohen)
E
Elishayev - son of Elisha
Elizarov / Eliazarov / Yelizarov - son Eliezer (Levi)
F
Fatakhov - (definition needed)
Fathiev / Fatkhiev / Fatkhiyev - (definition needed)
Faylayev - (definition needed)
Fayzakov - Referencing to "Faiz" meaning to see pleasure. Similar to Ashkenazi term "Nachas" (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Fayziyev - Referencing to "Faiz" meaning to see pleasure. Similar to Hebrew term "Nachas" (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Fayzibayev - See prior "Faiz" refrance, and "boy" means rich of or full of (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Fazilov - (definition needed)
Fuzaylov / Fuzailov - from the word "fuzail" meaning a learned person
G
Gaonov - From the Hebrew word "Gaon" which means intelligent or genius
Gadelov / Godelov - the son of Godel, which is the Bukharian version of the name Gedalia
Gadayev / Gadoyev - From the word "gado" meaning begging or poverty (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Galibov - Was an old name used in Bukharian community " Galib" (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Gavrielov - son of Gavriel
Gilkarov - sometimes used as a variant for the last name Gulkarov but it is really a distinct and separate family name. (Israel) Other explanation contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov: A "gilkor" was a person who would plaster walls and would put up bricks with cement.
Gulkarov - from the words Gul flower and Kar referring to the trade of florist. (Kohen)
Gulyamov - (definition needed)
Gurgov - from the Persian word "gurg" meaning a wolf. This nickname was given to children born with teeth.
Gurzhiev - from Georgia (the country)
H
Hafizov - From the word "Hofiz", of the singers (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Hizyakov - from the word "hizyak", which means dried flat cow dung used for burning
Hiyayev - son of Hiya/Khiya
Hahamov - from the Hebrew word Haham meaning scholar.
Havasov / Khavasov - From the word "Chovos", which was a grinding mill used to grind wheat into flour (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
I
Ibragimov - son of Ibragim/Abraham in Arabic.
Ilyabayev - son of Ilyahu + "boy" meaning rich
Ilyasov - son of Ilyas
Ilyayev - son of Ilya
Ilyaviev - (definition needed)
Inoyatov - (definition needed)
Iskhakov - son of Yitzkhak
Iskhakbayev - son of Yitzkhak + "boy" meaning rich
Israilov - son of Israel
Issakharov - son of Issakhar
Izgelov - son of Ehezkel
J
Jachobov - from the Farsi words Yah (cold) and Ob (water). Pronounced Yah-ob-ov. Because of phonetic similarities in the way the names are pronounced in their native language, some descendants of this clan ended up with Yakobov/Yakubov in the process of immigration and subsequent transliterations. This is a different name from Yakubov. (Kohen)
K
Kakuriev - (definition needed)
Kakzanov - from "kok zan" meaning skinny woman
Kalontarov- from the word "kalontar" for the head of the community.
Kalandarov - from the word "kalandar" means "traveler". (Kohen) a muslim version of Kalantarov
Kalendarev / Kalendaryov - russified version of Kalantarov / Kalandarov
Kandinov - meaning soft-spoken
Kandkhorov - from the word "kandkhor" meaning a matchmaker for marriage. The consumption of kand - candy being the symbolic gesture of agreement to wed.
Kandov - from the word "kand" meaning sugar or candy.
Kariyev - (definition needed)
Karshigiyev - takes it's meaning from the name of the city Qarshi, Uzbekistan. The name's progenitor (originally from Samarkand) was stranded in Qarshi and upon return was dubbed Qarshigi.
Katayev - From the Uzbek word "Kata" meaning tall (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Kaykov - Referencing to "Kaik" a tick, an arachnid that sucks on the skin. However, this reference was made due to the speed of the insect. The people named for this were quick people, always on the move(Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Kaylakov - (definition needed)
Kayumov - (definition needed)
Kazakov - a Russified version of the Hebrew word "hazak" meaning strong. "Kazak" in Russian means a Cossack (Kohen)
Kaziev - from the word "kozi" meaning a judge (Levi)
Khaimov - son of Khaim.
Khaimchayev - diminutive of Khaim
Khanimov - (definition needed)
Khatamov - (definition needed)
Khavasov - From the word "Chovos", which was a grinding mill used to grind wheat into flour (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Khassidov - son of (a) Khassid (Kohen)
Kholdarov - From the word "Chol" meaning mole or birthmarks (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Khodzhayev / Khajayev - From Arabic word "Haj" , or "pilgrimage", which was usually taken to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. But this name was also used for those who made a pilgrimage to Israel. (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov)
Kichikov - (definition needed)
Kikirov - (definition needed)
Kimyagarov - from the words Kimyo, Gar and Ov. Kimyo from the word Chem as in Chemistry. It means a chemist. The progenitor of this clan created dyes for the cloth.
Kiskiyev - son of Khizkiya
Kluyov - (definition needed)
Koenov / Koinov / Koyenov / Kohenov - son of (a) Kohen. Several distinct families carry this name.
Khaidatov or Khudaidatov - From "Khudo" meaning Gd, G-d given (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov). Khudaydatov - from words "khudo" and "dot" meaning God-given
Koknariev / Kuknariev - from the word "kuknar" meaning tea infused with drugs like poppy seeds
Koptiyev - (definition needed)
Kulangiev / Kulangi - stocky built person
Kuraev / Kurayev - From Uzbek word "Kura" which is a baby donkey (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Kusayev - From the word "Kusa" meaning bent or twisted. They were referenced due to their beards that would grow bent (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
L
Lakchakev - a dish made of boiled dough (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Leviev / Leviyev - son of Levi (Levi)
Lalmiyev / Lalmiev - "Lalmi" was a reference to things that grew on top of mountains without rain water (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Layliyev - From the Bukharian word laylak meaning stork.
M
Maksumov / Maksimov - son of Maghsum/Maksim there orginal last name was Fuzylov. Other explaination contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov is from the work "Maxum" which was a title of elite status.
Malayev - from the word "malla" means "red hair". "Mallay" also means a servant
Mashkabov - (definition needed)
Mastov - shortened version of last name Arak-Mastov
Masturov - (definition needed)
Matayev - from the Hebrew word Matai meaning where?
Mavashev from the Persian word "mahvash" meaning moonlike (луноликий) or beautiful. Another explanation from Gavriel Gavrielov from the work "Mavash" meaning dancer or dancing.
Mayayev - (definition needed)
Meirov/Mierov - son of Meir/Mier
Mikhailov / Mikhailov - son of Mikhoel/Mikhail
Mirakov - (definition needed)
Mirzayev - from the Persian word "Mirza" denoting a noble title and meaning a prince
Mirzakandov - "Mirza" and "kandov". A noble title added to the last name Kandov
Mishpatov - from the Hebrew word "mishpat" meaning judgment
Morchayev - ant
Morchabayev - a derivative of the former.
Mordochayev - son of Mordechai
Moshyakhov - son of Moshiakh
Mosheyev / Musheyev - son of Moshe (Levi- Mosheboy)
Mulayev - From the Islamic refrance to a preist "Mullo" (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Mulakandov / Mullakandov - from Mullo Dumani Kohen and Kandini Kalon their children got the name mullokand" (Kohen)
Mullodzhanov - from the words Mullo meaning religious figure head. Zhan/Jon is a form of endearment. (Levi)
Munarov - from the word "Munor", which were tall statues. Name was given due to the height of these tall people.
Musayev / Moussaieff - son of Mussa (Moses/Moshe in Arabic)
N
Nagorayev - "Nagora" as a certain drum used for music. (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Narkolayev - Comes from a breaking of "Nar" meaning large and "Kala" meaning head. (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov). There is also a place in Afghanistan naned Narkola.
Nektalov - originally Badtalovs, but they changed their names to "nek" talov to remove the negative connotation of the original name. "Nek, neki" means good or lucky. (contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Nisanov / Nisonov / Nissanoff - son of Nissan.
Niyazov - son of Niyaz, an Uzbek name
Niyazbayev - (definition needed)
Normatov - from the word "normat" which means birth spot and "nor" meaning birthmark which the first normat's had
P
Pakanayev - From word "Paka" meaning small. (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Paltielov / Poltielov - son of Poltiel
Pilosov / Filosov - from mispronouciation of the nickname "philosopher" given to Pinkhas Galibov
Pinkhasov - son of Pinkhas
Plishtiyev / Plishtiev - from the Hebrew 'Plishti' which means of Palestine
Polvanov - from the word "polvon" meaning a strong man
Potilakhov - (definition needed)
Priev / Priyev - Islamic reference to an angel "Pri" was a way to refer to someone of either holy stature of righteousness.(Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Puchaev / Puchayev - (definition needed) (Levi)
Pulatov - from the word "pulot" meaning steel
Q
Qavoqbaland - see кавакбаландов
R
Rakhmanov - a variant of Rakhminov
Rakhminov - son of Rakhmin / Rakhamim
Rybakov - last name comes from the Hebrew nickname "doghim" or Bukharian "Mahihor". These imply fish. The name "Rybak" come from a Russian word Ryba, which also means fish.
S
Sachakov - from town of Sochak near Samarkand
Sadykov / Tzadikov - from the arabic version of the Hebrew word "tzadik", which means the righteous
Saidov - son of Said, an Uzbek name
Shabekov - From broken "Sha" meaning king and "bek" great. (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Shakarov - shakar means sugar in Persian but in Arabic it means the great full one
Shakhmurov / Shakhmoroff - from "shah-a-mur" meaning the keeper of the shah's official stamp. Others say; from the words ['shakh' as in frozen still] and ['mur' as in death] meaning death comes slowly implying that these people lived long lives.
Shamayev / Shamaev - son of Shamayo
Shamalov - shamal means wind
Samandarov - from the city of Samandar, which once was the capital of Khazaria
Samekhov - (definition needed)
Shamsiyev - (definition needed)
Sarikov - from Uzbek word "sariq", which means Yellow
Sezanayev - Broken into two word: "Se" meaning three and "zan" wife- One with three wives (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Shimonov / Shimunov - son of Shimon
Simkhayev - son of Simkha (Kohen). Not all Simkhayevs are Kohanim.
Sherabatiev/Sherabatiyev - the maker of sherbet, a syrop, non-alcohol wine.
Sofiev - From Uzbek word "Sophi" meaning wise person. May have its roots in Greek Sophists, as in root of philosopher. (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov). Alternatively, Sufi is a Muslim ascetic and mystic. (Contributed by Mike Zavurov) (Kohen)
Staraev - from the russified version of the persian word "sitorah", meaning the star
Suleimanov - Suleiman is Arabic for Solomon/Shlomo.
Suyunov - (definition needed)
T
Tolmasov - Originally were Babekov. An ancestor became of digger of graves and was very strong. He would dig many graves in a day. The Uzbeks called him "Tolmas" meaning strong or muscular.(Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Takhalov - From the word "Tahal" or later slang "Talh" meaning bitter. (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Tamarov - (definition needed)
Tamayev - (definition needed)
Tokov - (definition needed)
U
Ustayev - From word "Usto", meaning professional or master (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Usharov - From word "Ushor" meaning awake and coherent. (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
V
Vadyayev - (definition needed)
Y
Yadgarov - "Yodgar" was a name given to a child whose father died before that child was born. It is broken into two parts "Yod" meaning to remember and "Ovari" to bring. It was shortened for Yodgar (Contributed by Gavriel Gavrielov).
Yagudayev - son of Yaguda/Yehuda (Kohen)
Yakubov - Meaning son of Yakub/Yakov. (Kohen) (Levi) (Israel)
Yakutielov - son of Yakutiel
Yasayev - (definition needed)
Yashayev - son of Yashaya/Isaiah.
Yuhananov / Yukhananov / Yohananov - son of Yokhanan
Yunatanov - son of Yunatan/Yonatan
Yunusov - son of Yunus, an Uzbek version of Yonah.
Yushuvayev - son of Yehoshua
Yusupov - son of Yusup/Yosef (Kohen)
Z
Zakinov - from the Hebrew word "zaken", which means an elder
Zargarov - from the word "zargar" meaning jeweler
Zavlyanov - (definition needed)
Zavulunov - son of Zavulun (Levi-Folchi) There are many different families with this name. One of those familes were originally Babayev
Zavurov or Zaurov - means son of Zavur.
Zirkiev - from the persian word "zirk" meaning barberry plant from which yellow dye was extracted to be used for coloring cloth