Russian surnames: Gorbachew, Zukoff, Smirnov
Could anyone explain me these russian names?
Thank you
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I wonder whether Smirnov / Smyrnov may derive from the Greek surname Smyrnos, or the Greek toponym Smyrna (named after an Amazon).
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Very possibly as I know that Russia absorbed many things Greek most notably, the Orthodox religion.

Amazon, I believe is from Greek mythology (please correct me if I'm wrong) about a tribe of large women who removed one breast so that they might better shoot their bows ...hence Amazon means something like "one breast" ... just an interesting tidbit ...
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A Gorb is a "hump" with the -chev being a diminutive, I believe.

Zuk is a plower? ...I think

Smirnio means "quiet" ...best I can do
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