Iofan

Iofan is a surname of Eastern European origin, most commonly found in Russia and Ukraine. It is derived from the Hebrew given name Yochanan, meaning "God is gracious." This name has a long history and has been adopted into various cultures and languages, often appearing in variations such as Ivan, John, or Jan.

The surname Iofan became established as a patronymic, indicating descent from an ancestor named Iofan. Like many surnames, its exact origins can be traced back to medieval times when fixed surnames were becoming more common. Individuals bearing the name Iofan might have been prominent figures in their communities, or the name could have been adopted for other reasons related to lineage or occupation.

While no single prominent historical figure universally defines the surname Iofan, it is present in various family lines across Eastern Europe. Its prevalence can be linked to the widespread influence of Christianity in the region, which brought many biblical names into common usage. Over centuries, these names evolved and were eventually formalized as surnames, with Iofan being one such example. The distribution of the surname today reflects historical migration patterns and settlement of Eastern European populations.