Where do the popular surnames Pugach, Prokopenko and Prykhodko come from: explanation

Surnames are not just words, but also a part of our history, a key to understanding our roots and connecting with our ancestors. In ancient times, people's surnames were always associated with certain phenomena, characteristics, and associations. Researching their origins can be a fascinating journey into your family's history.

The Vasyl Ivanovych Maslov Society of Local Lore told us about the origins of such popular surnames as Pugach, Prokopenko, and Prykhodko.

Pugach is one of the most colorful surnames, derived from the name of a night bird. According to folk beliefs, it portended trouble. The cry of the owl was a warning of danger. This bird was also revered by the Cossack Cossacks. They composed songs about it, and the sound of the owl's "poo-goo" was a kind of password for recognizing their own.

Other surnames have no less interesting origin stories. For example, Prykhodko literally means a stranger, a foreigner. It was the name of a stranger who settled near people in a familiar place.

In turn, the surname Prokopenko does not derive from characteristics or titles, but from the male name Prokip. Prokopenko literally means Prokop's son.

The surname Protsenko also comes from the name Prokip, or rather from its pet form Prots.

Accordingly, the surname Prokhorenko comes from the name Prokhir, and Prokopenko from Prokip.

Surnames formed from characteristics:

Pravdivets - means one who lives by the truth, loves the truth, is just.

Prystupa comes from the word prystupnyi. It means accessible, close, friendly.

Pushkar, Pushkarenko - these were the names of artillerymen or gunners in the Cossack army in ancient times.

Pukha - comes from the expression to bring "to the point of ruin," that is, to finish something. Those who were called Pukhas were considered decisive and persistent.