Could your ancestor have been a prince? Discover which Ukrainian surnames hint at noble lineage.

Each surname carries a specific meaning. Often, it has deep historical roots and can indicate a person's lineage. For instance, one can infer from a surname that your ancestors were princes, lords, or boyars, wrote linguist Julian Redko.

The surnames Shlyakhta, Shlyakhetka, and Shlyakhtich, common in the Ivano-Frankivsk and Zakarpattia regions, are linked to the privileged class in ancient Poland, according to the linguist. At the same time, such nicknames could be given to poor peasants who sought to emulate the Polish nobility.

From the Polish noble title "his grace lord," which was pronounced in Polish as miscipan, mospan, the Ukrainian surnames Mostypan and Mastypan originated.

A number of Ukrainian surnames were formed from the word "pan" and indicated descent from the upper class: Panych, Panychik, Panyk, Panonko, Panochko, Pantsia, Panov.

From an earlier era come the surnames Knyaz and Knyazevsky, which indicate a connection to a princely lineage or that the ancestors of the bearer served at the princely court. From another dominant class of Ancient Rus—boyars—come the surnames Boyarchuk and Boyarsky. However, the linguist notes that they could also have originated from "princes" and "boyars" in wedding rituals.

The surname Dydych, prevalent in the Kyiv, Lviv, and Ivano-Frankivsk regions, derives from a wealthy ancestor who became the owner of an entire village.

On December 13, media reported that Beyoncé allegedly rejected the surname Jay-Z after he was accused of raping a minor.