The history of the surname Golubev originates from a personal nickname, like many others in Russia. It is related to the common type of formation of generic names in our country. The origin and meaning of the surname Golubev will be discussed in the article.
Nickname
These have long been customary to give in Russia. They existed both before the introduction of Christianity and after the appearance of saints, and, accordingly, baptismal names. Nicknames that were used as names could be given in addition to those assigned at baptism, since the latter were relatively few. They were often repeated, so there was an identity problem.
As for nicknames, their supply was unlimited. With their help, it was easy to single out one or another person. In many cases secular names have supplanted baptismal names even in official documents.
Their sources could be very different. They could indicate:
- on character traits (Brave, Buka, Vesela);
- nationality(Gypsy, Tatar, Pole);
- profession (Mower, Fisherman, Miller);
- place of residence (Stepnyak, Hermit, Rechnik).
Next, we will proceed directly to the consideration of the origin of the surname Golubev.
Bird name
Often nicknames were given by the name of animals and birds. So, the origin of the surname Golubev refers to the nickname Dove. How did it happen? Researchers do not rule out the following reasons:
- The person who received this nickname was a pigeon breeder.
- He looked somewhat like this bird.
- Blue was affectionately called a sweet and cuddly personality.
- So they could also call a person who was dove, that is, they loved and caressed.
Such a nickname is often found in historical chronicles, indicating people from different social strata, for example, they say:
- about Prince Boris Vasilyevich Golubka Pozharsky (16th century);
- Moscow guest Golub (16th c.);
- Smolensk townsman Ivan Golubts (17th century).
Considering the origin of the surname Golubev, let's see how the process of formation of generic names from nicknames took place.
From nickname to surname
To be fixed and passed from one generation to another, the surnames first begin among rich people. This process dates back to the 15th-16th centuries. Generic names indicate belonging to a particular family. These are possessive adjectives that end with the suffix "ov","ev", "in". Initially, they indicated the father's nickname.
As for the bulk of the population, it remained without surnames for a long time. The beginning of their consolidation was laid by the clergy. So, in particular, the Metropolitan of Kyiv Peter Mohyla instructed the priests in 1632 to keep records of people who were born, married and died.
After serfdom was abolished in Russia, the government needed to solve such a problem as assigning surnames to the liberated peasants. In 1888, the Senate issued a decree stating that being called by a certain surname is the duty of a full-fledged person. Its designation in a number of documents was required by law.
It was in the described way that the descendants of a person nicknamed Golub or Golub turned out to be the owners of the Golubev surname.
Bird as a symbol
Continuing to consider the origin of the surname Golubev, it should be said about what the ideas about the bird are connected with, from the name of which it is formed. Since ancient times, she has been associated with such concepts as purity and chastity. And also, due to the fact that the dove is devoted to its offspring, it personifies maternal feelings. There is also an interpretation of him as the embodiment of wisdom.
In Christian art of the medieval period, this symbol was present when depicted:
- Annunciation.
- Baptism.
- The Descent of the Holy Spirit.
- Trinity.
There was a belief that witches and the devil couldtake the form of any creature, except for the form of a sheep and a dove. Before Christianity was introduced in Russia, it was traditional to call a child a name corresponding to any animal or plant. This was in line with pagan ideas about the world. The ancient Russians lived, taking into account the laws of nature, presenting themselves as an integral part of it.
In naming the baby Dove, the father and mother sought to ensure that the child was perceived by nature as their own, so that those useful qualities that are inherent in the chosen representative of the plant or animal world would pass to their child.
Other versions
In conclusion of the consideration of the origin of the surname Golubev, it is necessary to say about them.
Perhaps it is connected with the name of some locality. So, for example, the villages of Golubevo existed in such provinces as:
- Tverskaya;
- Vologda;
- Smolenskaya;
- Pskovskaya.
All of them could be the small homeland of the distant ancestors of the bearers of the surname studied here. Such villages became tribal nests for several families, and then the surname spread over large territories.
It is also possible that some of the first carriers of the generic name Golubeva were graduates of theological seminaries. As you know, sonorous, unusual surnames were sometimes assigned in this environment. Golubev could well be called a non-conflict, sociable, diligent student. So, in the lists of the St. Petersburg Theological Seminary, covering the period from 1840 to 1916, twelve people were found with suchlast name.
