The origins of this water heater are highly debated. Wikipedia mentions that it was invented somewhere in central Asia(Kazakhstan?), but the word "samovar" is a Russian one and means "self-brewer". "Sam"(sounds more like "sum") is "self" and "o'var" means...
I'll have to consult my Irish friend Patty O'Furniture.
In the old days these used to "run" on charcoal(note the top lid with one knob) and now most of them are electric.
Samovars are very popular among Persians(Iranians) also, and they call it by the Russian name. I think the reason is that in 1920s a lot of Russkies escaped the then new regime and some of them went south, bringing their samovars with them. One of my friends here in LaLa land was born in Iran but his parents are originally from Russia.
Thanks for listening!
Ilya(that's my name, Doug)