Zaytzev

Zaytzev is a surname of Slavic origin, predominantly found among Russian-speaking populations. It is a transliteration variant of the Russian surname Зайцев, which is derived from зайц (zayets), meaning hare. The suffix -ев (-ev) forms a patronymic or possessive surname, typically interpreted as "of the hare" or "son of Zayets." The name likely originated as a nickname for a swift or nimble person and later passed to descendants.

Spelling variants arise from transliteration of Cyrillic letters into Latin script. In English-language contexts the most common form is Zaitsev; Zaytzev and Zaitzev are alternative spellings used in genealogical or regional records.

Geographically, the surname and its variants are most common in Russia and among Russian-speaking communities in neighboring countries such as Ukraine and Belarus, as well as in the Slavic diaspora around Europe and North America. As with many surnames of patronymic origin, its distribution reflects historical migration patterns.

Notable individuals with related surnames include Vasily Zaitsev (1915–1991), a Soviet World War II sniper whose exploits are widely known in popular culture; his surname is typically transliterated as Zaitsev, not Zaytzev, but it represents a closely related form.

See also Zaitsev (surname).