The surname Sergeev originated in Russia and is derived from the Russian given name Sergei, which itself comes from the Late Latin name Sergius. This name can be traced back to an ancient Roman family, the gens Sergia, who may have adopted the name from the Etruscan word "ser", meaning "to protect".

The earliest recorded instances of the Sergeev surname in Russia date back to the 16th century, when it was used by families in the Moscow region. Some of the earliest documented examples include Ivan Sergeev, a landowner mentioned in a 1586 census of the Ryazan province, and Semyon Sergeev, a merchant from Veliky Novgorod listed in tax records from 1612.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Sergeev name appeared in various historical records across Russia. Notably, Andrey Sergeev was a military commander who fought in the Russo-Turkish War of 1735-1739, while Ivan Sergeev served as a provincial governor in Smolensk in the late 18th century.

One of the most famous individuals with the Sergeev surname was the Russian writer and poet Nikolai Sergeev (1836-1908), who wrote under the pen name Nikolai Karamzin. His historical works, such as the "History of the Russian State", played a significant role in shaping Russian national identity.

Another notable figure was Sergei Sergeev (1892-1958), a Soviet military commander who served as a Marshal of the Soviet Union during World War II and played a key role in the Battle of Stalingrad.

In the 20th century, the Sergeev name was also associated with several influential scientists and academics, including the physicist Nikolai Sergeev (1876-1951), who made important contributions to the study of electromagnetism, and the linguist Boris Sergeev (1915-1985), known for his work on Slavic languages and dialectology.

While the Sergeev surname originated in Russia, it has since spread to other parts of the world through emigration and intermarriage. However, it remains most prevalent in its country of origin and among Russian diaspora communities.