Origin of the name Rabinovich

Strange as it may seem this family name that in Russia became almost a second name to call Jews, is by far not the most wide spread Jewish family name.
For example, such family names as Levin, Kogan and names close to them occur among Jews much more often. And still without any doubt the family name Rabinovich is the most famous Jewish name on the territory of the FSU. One should mention a monument in Odessa to nameless Rabinovich.
By itself the origin of this family name is not a mystery at all. This name appears, at least in written form, starting from the beginning of the 19-th century. This is an exclusively ashkenazic family name that became spread predominantly on the territory of the former Russian empire. All researchers agree that the name was given in accord with the social status of the person having it. The person was either a rabbi or came from a rabbi's family, for example was a rabbi's son. By the name ending one can surmise that at first it appeared in the Pale of Settlement on the territory of Belorussia (Poland).
It is certain that part of the people having this name are members of an old rabbinical family that traces its roots down to king David.