Sokoloff
A surname of Slavic origin, likely denoting a person from the village of Sokolov or a falconer.
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 994 Americans carry the last name Sokoloff. That puts it at #28,065 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.29 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 344,823 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Sokoloff surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
994
1 in 344,823
Census rank
#28,065
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.3
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
853
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 853 bearers of the surname Sokoloff in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.29 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 28065th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Sokoloff, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.3%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Sokoloff
The surname SOKOLOFF originated in Russia and is derived from the Russian word "sokol," meaning "falcon." The name can be traced back to the 11th century and was likely used to identify individuals who were falconers or lived in areas where falcons were prevalent.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name SOKOLOFF can be found in the Veliky Novgorod Chronicles, a historical manuscript dating back to the 12th century. The chronicles mention a nobleman named Vasily SOKOLOFF who served as a falconer for the Prince of Novgorod.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, the SOKOLOFF name gained prominence in various regions of Russia, including Moscow and its surrounding areas. Several families bearing this surname were known to have owned lands and estates, indicating their status and influence within the feudal system.
In the 16th century, a notable figure named Ivan SOKOLOFF (1525-1589) served as a military commander under Tsar Ivan the Terrible. He played a significant role in the conquest of the Khanate of Kazan and was rewarded with land grants for his service.
Another prominent individual with the SOKOLOFF surname was Andrei SOKOLOFF (1670-1738), a Russian diplomat and statesman who served as the ambassador to Denmark and Sweden during the reign of Peter the Great.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, the SOKOLOFF name continued to be found in various regions of Russia, with some members of the family holding positions of importance in the military, government, and academia. For example, Mikhail SOKOLOFF (1789-1867) was a distinguished mathematician and professor at the Imperial Moscow University.
The name SOKOLOFF also has variations in spelling, such as SOKOLOV, SOKOLOVSKIY, and SOKOLOVSKY, reflecting regional dialects and linguistic changes over time. These variations can be found in historical records and documents from different parts of Russia.
It is worth noting that the SOKOLOFF surname has been borne by several notable individuals throughout history, including authors, artists, and scientists, further adding to its cultural significance and legacy within the Russian context.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Sokoloff
Among Census respondents with the surname Sokoloff, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.3%).
The bar chart below shows how Sokoloff bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Sokoloff surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White96.3%
- Hispanic or Latino1.5%
- Asian and Pacific Islander1.3%
- Unknown or suppressed0.9%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Sokoloff surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #25,695 | #28,065 | -9.2% |
| Count | 901 | 853 | -5.3% |
| Per 100K | 0.33 | 0.29 | -12.1% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Sokoloff bearers went from 901 to 853 (-5.3% change). The surname moved down 2,370 positions in the national ranking, going from #25,695 to #28,065.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Sokoloff
FAQ
Sokoloff surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Sokoloff?
The surname Sokoloff holds position #28,065 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 994 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.29 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Sokoloff surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Sokoloff, the largest self-reported group is White at 96.3%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (1.5%) and Asian/Pacific Islander (1.3%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.