Litvinov

Litvinov is a surname of Eastern European origin, primarily found in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. It is an Ashkenazi Jewish surname, derived from the given name Litvin, which itself is a diminutive of the given name Litva, meaning "Lithuanian." This suggests an ancestral connection to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

The surname Litvinov has been documented in various historical records, often associated with Jewish communities. Like many surnames, its exact origins and spread are tied to migration patterns and the historical development of Jewish settlements in Eastern Europe.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Litvinov include Maxim Litvinov, a prominent Soviet diplomat and politician who served as the People's Commissar for Foreign Affairs of the Soviet Union. He played a significant role in Soviet foreign policy during the 1930s and 1940s.

The distribution of the surname Litvinov reflects the historical presence of Jewish populations in areas that were once part of or influenced by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, including parts of modern-day Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine. Over time, individuals with this surname have dispersed globally due to emigration.