Estonia

Surnames

Surnames (or family names) are hereditary and are often common to all members of a family.

Occupational surnames are derived from an occupation. Examples include Taylor, Smith, and Baker.

Toponymic surnames are derived from a place. Examples include Ayers (a person from Ayers, Scotland) and Bach (German for a person who lives near a stream).

Religious surnames are derived directly or indirectly from religious texts or traditions. Examples include Christian biblical names, Hebrew names from the Torah, and Muslim names from the Quran.

Nickname derived surnames are those based upon appearance, temperament, or personality. An example is the German surname Schwarzkopf (in German, schwarz=black, Kopf= head) meaning a person with dark hair.

Ornamental surnames are those that were adopted or forced upon individuals (and families) under political pressure.

Patronymic surnames are derived from the given name of a male ancestor. An example is the English patronymic surname Peterson, meaning son of Peter.

Female patronymic surnames (also known as female possessive suffix surnames) are a female form of a patronymic surname, most typically a patronymic surname with a feminine suffix added. For example, in Russian, the wife of Mikhail Gorbachev is Raisa Gorbachova, -ev is replaced with ova.

Matronymic surnames are derived from the given name of a female ancestor. An example is the English matronymic surname Tiffany.

Popular Surnames (Family) in Estonia

Rank	Name	Distribution
66	Valk	996
67	Vares	996
69	Hein	965
68	Kalda	965
71	Sikk	965
70	Kikas	965
73	Uibo	950
72	Nurk	950
76	Aavik	934
75	Lang	934
74	Kangur	934
77	Tomingas	919
79	Kass	919
78	Kotkas	919
80	Maasik	904
81	Braun	889
82	Ott	889
83	Kala	873
84	Annus	873
85	Järv	873
86	Laane	873
88	Tali	873
87	Johanson	873
89	Aru	873
90	Rohtla	858
92	Molder	858
91	Pihlak	858
95	Järve	843
93	Kase	843
94	Ivanova	843
97	Kolk	827
96	Kruus	827
100	Nõmm	827
99	Orav	827
98	Gross	827
1	Tamm	7,874
2	Saar	6,020
3	Kask	4,948
4	Sepp	4,351
6	Kukk	3,202
6	Karu	2,803
7	Koppel	2,742
8	Rebane	2,650
8	Oja	2,574
10	Lepik	2,344
11	Magi	2,206
12	Kuusk	2,068
13	Peterson	2,053
14	Miller	1,992
15	Ilves	1,976
16	Kaasik	1,946
17	Raudsepp	1,915
18	Luik	1,900
19	Kallas	1,900
20	Laur	1,808
21	Lepp	1,731
22	Ots	1,685
23	Kull	1,654
24	Vaher	1,639
25	Kuusik	1,593
26	Rand	1,578
27	Teder	1,532
28	Liiv	1,517
29	Saks	1,517
30	Kivi	1,486
31	Ivanov	1,486
32	Jakobson	1,455
33	Puusepp	1,440
34	Roos	1,425
35	Raud	1,409
36	Lill	1,348
37	Toom	1,302
38	Mets	1,287
39	Lõhmus	1,272
40	Allik	1,256
41	Pukk	1,241
43	Kim	1,226
42	Parts	1,226
44	Ou	1,226
45	Paas	1,226
46	Poder	1,210
47	Parn	1,195
49	Li	1,195
48	Kütt	1,195
50	Arro	1,180
52	Sild	1,164
51	Palm	1,164
54	Jogi	1,149
53	Lind	1,149
57	Adamson	1,134
56	Lember	1,134
55	Laas	1,134
58	Sarapuu	1,118
60	Martin	1,103
59	Tamme	1,103
61	Kõiv	1,088
62	Anderson	1,072
63	Paju	1,042
64	Leppik	1,042
65	Mitt	1,042