Many surnames were formed from Slavic meanings or symbols. The origin of the surname Sokolov (Sokolov) is very ancient, has several versions. We will consider the most popular in this article.
"Bird" name
Falcon - such a "bird" name was given in Russia long before its baptism. This is the so-called "worldly" name for a boy. The Slavs revered mother nature. They bowed to the sun - the whirlwind. They considered themselves a part of nature, and birds were especially respected: for their beauty, courage and proud disposition. People believed that the more they "appease" the spirits of nature, the more they will help them in life.
Giving the son the name Falcon, the parents had in mind that he would grow up with the same qualities that this bird possesses. The falcon is sharp-sighted, fearless, he is a good warrior and a successful hunter. The bird is beautiful in appearance and very loved by the people.
Praising a young man or a man, women called him "Finist - a clear falcon". "Finist" among the Slavs means the phoenix bird. The one that is immortal, having the ability to be reborn from the ashes. By identifying the child's name with a proud bird, the parents prophesied longevity for him.
Many birds were in good standing with the ancient Slavs. For example, among others, Vorobyov (a), Sorokin (a), Voronov (a), Lebedev (a), Solovyov (a) and many others are also quite popular. "Bird World" is quite widely represented in a number of popular surnames.
But Sokolov or Sokolova are out of competition. For this species was in its way the "king of the birds." Therefore, the history of the origin of the surname Sokolov (Sokolova) can be directly connected with the worldly name Sokol. This surname has ancient roots and is a pride for its bearers.
In Russia, many noble families bore the surname Sokolov, this is evidenced by archival historical records.
Falconry
This type of hunting has long been popular in Europe and Russia. It was a serious occupation and reached the level of industrial craft. In the Russian landlord estates, birds were raised, trained, used for hunting. There was a position for the person in charge of this, a falconer.
From here we can conclude that the secret of the name Sokolov, the origin and meaning may be hidden in falconry. The whole family engaged in such a trade was given such a nickname - the Sokolovs. That is, the family of a falconer who deals with falcons. The surname could undergo transformations, turning into the following options: Sokolnikov (a), Sokolkov (a), Sokolnichenko and others. But the meaning remained the same.
Goal like a falcon
Many people know the saying "goal like a falcon". And imagine a poor homeless and plucked bird. In fact, this representation is erroneous.
In the second word, the stress should be placed on the second letter "o". And then it becomes clear that what is meant is not a proud and beautiful bird - a falcon, but an ancient battering ram.
Juice o l was a huge pillar carved from the trunk of a huge tree. He was smooth, naked. It was customary to mention him among the people if they wanted to point out to a person his poverty. This expression - "a goal like a falcon" - is a metaphor. A special figure of speech that enhances emotionality and uses figurative meaning.
We don't think that people could be named "after" a battering ram, but this version is also the place to be. In this case, the original accent has been lost over time.
Close to the sun
A very interesting version of the origin of the Sokolov surname is put forward by some Slavs. They divide the word "falcon" into two components: "so" and "kol". The first is explained as "approaching something", and the second is considered the initial letters of the word "kolovorot", which among the ancient Slavs meant "sun".
Thus, based on the above, a falcon is aspiring to the sun. The version is beautiful and interesting. The sun was a deity among the Slavs. It is quite possible that, thus naming a person, hedestined some divine path.
Turning into a surname
So there are two meanings for the word "falcon". It is clear that their carriers can be considered the progenitors of the Sokolov family. Their children, children of children - all became the heirs of the family "nickname". As always, the suffix "ov" played the role, denoting belonging and answering the questions: whose, whose.
The origin, meaning, history of the Sokolov surname are considered from various angles, as can be seen from our article.
The last thing I wanted to say is that in addition to the people who were ancestral bearers of the surname, there were settlements (villages, villages, landowners' lands) with the same name. For example, Sokolovo, Sokolovka, Sokolniki. Falconer families lived in them, or peasants of a landowner with the surname Sokolov. Over time, they all recorded under the same last name.
