Zhiltsov

Zhiltsov (Russian: Жильцов) is a Russian surname. It is derived from the word "zhilets" (жилец), which historically referred to a tenant or resident, specifically someone who lived on someone else's property, often a nobleman's land, and provided services in exchange for accommodation. The word could also refer to a lower-ranking member of the Tsar's court or household in pre-Petrine Russia. Therefore, the surname "Zhiltsov" likely originated as a descriptive name for a descendant of such a person.

The surname Zhiltsov, like many Russian surnames, is typically masculine. The feminine form is Zhiltsova (Жильцова). The surname is found in various regions of Russia and among Russian diaspora communities worldwide. The precise geographic distribution within Russia may vary depending on historical migration patterns and other factors.

As with many surnames of occupational or descriptive origin, the bearers of the name Zhiltsov are not necessarily related to one another biologically. The surname simply indicates a shared ancestral connection to someone who was identified as a "zhilets" at some point in the past.