How common is the Tolstoi surname?

There are approximately 25,000 people with the surname Tolstoi in the United States.

Tolstoi

Q: What does the surname Tolstoi mean?

The surname Tolstoi means "A surname derived from the Russian word 'tolstoy,' meaning 'thick' or 'fat,' indicating a descriptive characteristic.". It is of Russian origin.

Descriptive

Meaning

A surname derived from the Russian word 'tolstoy,' meaning 'thick' or 'fat,' indicating a descriptive characteristic.

Etymology

Tolstoi comes from the Russian adjective 'толстой' (tolstoy), meaning 'thick,' 'fat,' or 'stout.' The surname likely originated as a descriptive epithet for a person with that physical characteristic.

About the Tolstoi Surname

Tolstoi is a prominent Russian surname most famously associated with the novelist Leo Tolstoy. The name reflects Russian naming traditions based on physical descriptors.

Distribution & Frequency

Estimated 25,000 bearers in the United States #739 most common surname

Rare Common

Found primarily in Russia and among Russian diaspora communities worldwide.

Notable Bearers

People with the Tolstoi Surname

Alya Tolstoi

Count

Quick Facts

Origin: Russian
Classification: Descriptive
Earliest Record: Medieval Russia
Estimated Bearers: 25,000