Show ContentsBoikin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Boikin

What does the name Boikin mean?

The surname Boikin is a nickname type surname that came from a person who was timid or fearful. The name Boikin is derived from the Slavic word bojazli, which means timid or fearful, or from the related word bojazn, which means fear or dread. 1 This name is also of local origin and is the name of Bojko mountains, which are in Western Ukraine.

It is quite likely that the Boikin surname finds its roots with the Slav tribe, the Boykians, who lived in Boikivshchyna, the uplands of Stryj and Sambir regions, in Transcarpathia, Western Ukraine. In this case, this name may have derived from Slavic term "boj" meaning "battle, struggle."

Early Origins of the Boikin family

The surname Boikin was first found in Transcarpathia, Western Ukraine. In this instance, the surname derives its origin from the Bojko, also anglicized Boyko and Boyco, mountains located in Western Ukraine. It should be noted that the surname as Bojchuk is also found in southern Poland, as the Polish region of Galicia (south Poland) was at one time a Ukrainian principality founded in the twelfth century, and after the First World War was claimed by the newly established Ukrainian Republic but was awarded to Poland.

Boikin Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Boiko, Boyko, Bayko, Beyko, Boykovich, Boikovich, Boikin, Boykin, Boykovsky, Boykints, Boychik, Boychak, Boychuck, Boycheniuk, Boychisko, Boik and many more.


Boikin migration to the United States +



Boikin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Marie Boikin, aged 26, Russian settler who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Fresia" in 1879 2
Boikin Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • David Boikin, aged 22, settler from Minsk who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Westernland" in 1906 2
  • Feizel Boikin, aged 19, settler from Minsk who arrived in New York aboard the ship "Westernland" in 1906 2


  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Ellis Island Search retrieved 21st October 2021. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result


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