ORLOFF Origin of surname
ORLOFF
Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. This family name derives from nature (topographic terms, plants and animals).
Orloff, in which the suffix "-off", a Westernized spelling variant of the standard Russian suffix "-ov", means "of/from" and can stand for "son of", is a form of Orlans, a variant of Orlov, based on the Slavic Oryol, which means "eagle". The German equivalent is Adler, the German for "eagle". The eagle became popular as a house sign and a family name. Some Adler families have derived their name from two houses in the Judengasse of Frankfurt am Main (Germany), which had the sign of the eagle (no. 27 was at the sign of the black eagle, and no. 86 was at the sign of the golden eagle). Other Adlers and Orloffs, who are Cohanim ("priests"), selected this name as a symbol of the outstretched arms of the priest as he recites his blessing, just as the eagle spreads his wings.
Distinguished bearers of the Jewish surname Orloff include the 20th century Russian-born French sculptor Chana Orloff.
Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. This family name derives from nature (topographic terms, plants and animals).
Orloff, in which the suffix "-off", a Westernized spelling variant of the standard Russian suffix "-ov", means "of/from" and can stand for "son of", is a form of Orlans, a variant of Orlov, based on the Slavic Oryol, which means "eagle". The German equivalent is Adler, the German for "eagle". The eagle became popular as a house sign and a family name. Some Adler families have derived their name from two houses in the Judengasse of Frankfurt am Main (Germany), which had the sign of the eagle (no. 27 was at the sign of the black eagle, and no. 86 was at the sign of the golden eagle). Other Adlers and Orloffs, who are Cohanim ("priests"), selected this name as a symbol of the outstretched arms of the priest as he recites his blessing, just as the eagle spreads his wings.
Distinguished bearers of the Jewish surname Orloff include the 20th century Russian-born French sculptor Chana Orloff.