kotev

Kotev is a surname of Slavic origin, used primarily by Bulgarian and other South Slavic communities and their descendants around the world. In standard Bulgarian usage it appears with the patronymic suffix -ev, a common form indicating a relationship to a name or nickname that forms the base of the surname.

Origin and formation: The root of Kotev is typically a given name or nickname, with the exact root varying by family history. The suffix -ev is part of a broader pattern of Slavic patronymics, and over time Kotev has appeared in transliterated forms in different languages, leading to occasional spelling variations.

Geography and variants: Within Bulgaria and among Bulgarian communities abroad, Kotev occurs in both urban and rural settings. Related forms in other languages can include Kotov or Koteski, reflecting parallel patronymic formations. The feminine form in Bulgarian is Koteva.

Notable bearers and usage: The surname is carried by individuals across a range of professions, including sports, academia, and the arts, consistent with its broad regional distribution. Beyond its use as a family name, Kotev may appear in historical records or as part of compound names in multilingual contexts.

See also: Kotov, Koteski.