Greek last names, also known as surnames or family names, are rich in history and significance.
Rooted in ancient Greek culture and influenced by various historical events and migrations, these names reflect a fascinating tapestry of traditions, geography, occupations, and personal attributes.
From the classical era to the present day, Greek last names have evolved, adapted, and been passed down through generations, carrying with them stories of lineage and identity.
Exploring the origins and meanings of Greek last names provides a window into the diverse heritage and cultural intricacies of this Mediterranean nation.
Let’s take a look at the various Greek surnames we found for our list 🙂
Common Greek Last Names (Most Common Greek Last Names)
Common Greek Last Names:
- Papadopoulos – “Son of a priest”
- Georgiou – “Son of George”
- Katsaros – “Curly-haired”
- Christopoulos – “Son of Christ”
- Tsakalidis – “Hawk-like”
- Papadakis – “Little priest”
- Kostas – “Constant, steadfast”
- Petrakis – “Little Peter”
- Athanasiou – “Eternal, immortal”
- Nikopoulos – “Son of Nike, victory”
Popular Greek Last Names
Popular Greek Last Names:
- Dimitriou – “Son of Demetrius”
- Kiriakou – “Sunday-born”
- Ioannou – “Son of John”
- Poulos – “Son of Paul”
- Karas – “Black hair”
- Lambros – “Shining”
- Andreadis – “Son of Andrew”
- Panagiotou – “All-holy”
- Alexandropoulos – “Son of Alexander”
- Karamanlis – “Black-haired man”
Rare & Exotic Greek Last Names
Rare & Exotic Greek Last Names:
- Zervos – “Son of Zervas”
- Xanthopoulos – “Yellow-haired”
- Laskaris – “Razor”
- Mylonas – “Miller”
- Kasimatis – “Son of Kasimos”
- Stavropoulos – “Son of the Cross”
- Kouris – “Short”
- Zacharakis – “Son of Zacharias”
- Filippidis – “Son of Philip”
- Psaras – “Fisherman”
Uncommon & Unique Greek Last Names
Uncommon & Unique Greek Last Names:
- Argyropoulos – “Son of silver”
- Triantafyllou – “Rose blossom”
- Sideris – “Iron”
- Andronikos – “Man of victory”
- Papandreou – “Little priest”
- Vassilopoulos – “Son of the king”
- Theodosiou – “Gift of God”
- Pappas – “Priest”
- Kyprianou – “Cypriot”
- Papathanasiou – “Son of the eternal”
Most Common Greek Last Names
Most Common Greek Last Names:
- Papadopoulos – “Son of a priest”
- Georgiou – “Son of George”
- Katsaros – “Curly-haired”
- Christopoulos – “Son of Christ”
- Tsakalidis – “Hawk-like”
- Dimitriou – “Son of Demetrius”
- Kiriakou – “Sunday-born”
- Ioannou – “Son of John”
- Poulos – “Son of Paul”
- Karas – “Black hair”
Cool Greek Last Names
Cool Greek Last Names:
- Zephyros – “West wind”
- Moraitis – “Moorish”
- Lykourgos – “Wolf-work”
- Panopoulos – “Son of Pan”
- Kasimos – “Long-haired”
- Kalogeropoulos – “Son of the monk”
- Delis – “Dolphin”
- Seraphim – “Fiery, angelic being”
- Charalambous – “Joyful people”
- Doukas – “Leader, nobleman”
List of Greek Last Names
List of Greek Last Names:
- Papadopoulos
- Georgiou
- Katsaros
- Christopoulos
- Tsakalidis
- Dimitriou
- Kiriakou
- Ioannou
- Poulos
- Karas
- Sampras
- Petrakis
- Athanasiou
- Nikopoulos
- Argyropoulos
- Triantafyllou
- Sideris
- Andronikos
- Papandreou
- Vassilopoulos
- Theodosiou
- Zervos
- Xanthopoulos
- Laskaris
- Mylonas
- Kasimatis
- Stavropoulos
- Kouris
- Zacharakis
- Filippidis
- Psaras
- Panopoulos
- Zephyros
- Moraitis
- Lykourgos
- Kasimos
- Kalogeropoulos
- Delis
- Seraphim
- Charalambous
- Doukas
- Palaiologos
- Komnenos
- Laskaris
- Mousouros
- Angelos
- Kantakouzenos
- Aspiotis
- Kourtis
- Kavvadias
- Anastasiadis
- Manousakis
- Valavanis
- Papathanasiou
- Papakostas
- Aggelopoulos
- Papadimitriou
- Georgiadis
- Katsaropoulos
- Christodoulou
- Tsakalis
- Dimitropoulos
- Kiriakopoulos
- Ioannidis
- Poulakis
- Karalis
- Andreadou
- Papatheodorou
- Kyprianou
- Nikolaidou
- Panagiotopoulou
- Papadopoulou
- Georgiadou
- Konstantinou
- Petrakou
- Theodorou
- Onassis
- Kazantzakis
- Callas
- Livanos
- Niarchos
- Mitsotakis
- Roussos
- Hadjidakis
- Vardinoyannis
- Karamanlis
- Apostolou
- Hatzis
- Kontos
- Livanopoulos
- Vassilis
- Arvanitis
- Mavridis
- Panagopoulos
- Adamopoulos
- Kourouklis
- Terzis
- Papazoglou
- Giotopoulos
- Polychronopoulos
- Chatzimichalis
Rich Greek Last Names
Rich Greek Last Names:
- Andreadis – “Son of Andrew”
- Angelopoulos – “Son of an angel”
- Kontos – “Pole, spear”
- Pateras – “Captain”
- Pefanis – “Loud, noisy”
- Protopapas – “First priest”
- Stefanopoulos – “Son of Stephen”
- Stavros – “Cross”
- Vlachos – “Shepherd”
- Marinos – “Of the sea”
- Sotiris – “Savior, deliverer”
Old Greek Last Names
Old Greek Last Names:
- Palaiologos – “Ancient word”
- Komnenos – “The one who has power”
- Laskaris – “Razor”
- Mousouros – “Desire, yearning”
- Doukas – “Leader, nobleman”
- Angelos – “Angel”
- Kantakouzenos – “Son of Kantakouzenos”
- Aspiotis – “Hawk-like”
- Kourtis – “Short”
- Kavvadias – “Goat herder”
Long Greek Last Names
Long Greek Last Names:
- Anastasiadis – “Son of Anastasius”
- Manousakis – “Son of Manolis”
- Valavanis – “Valley dweller”
- Papathanasiou – “Son of the eternal”
- Papandreou – “Little priest”
- Aggelopoulos – “Son of an angel”
- Papakostas – “Father of Kostas”
- Chatzidakis – “Son of Zacharias”
- Tsipras – “Son of Tsipra”
- Stavropoulos – “Son of the Cross”
Girl Greek Last Names [Female]
Girl Greek Last Names [Female]:
- Andreadou – “Daughter of Andrew”
- Papatheodorou – “Daughter of Theodore”
- Kyprianou – “Cypriot”
- Nikolaidou – “Daughter of Nicholas”
- Panagiotopoulou – “Daughter of Panagiotis”
- Papadopoulou – “Daughter of a priest”
- Georgiadou – “Daughter of George”
- Konstantinou – “Daughter of Constantine”
- Petrakou – “Little Peter”
- Theodorou – “Daughter of Theodore”
Men’s Greek Last Names [Male]
Men’s Greek Last Names [Male]:
- Papadimitriou – “Son of Demetrius”
- Georgiadis – “Son of George”
- Katsaropoulos – “Curly-haired”
- Christodoulou – “Servant of Christ”
- Tsakalis – “Hawk-like”
- Dimitropoulos – “Son of Demetrius”
- Kiriakopoulos – “Sunday-born”
- Ioannidis – “Son of John”
- Poulakis – “Son of Paul”
- Karalis – “Black-haired man”
Famous Greek Last Names
Famous Greek Last Names:
- Onassis – From the prominent Onassis family, known for their business empire and shipping industry.
- Kazantzakis – Referring to the renowned author Nikos Kazantzakis, known for works such as “Zorba the Greek” and “The Last Temptation of Christ.”
- Papandreou – Associated with the Papandreou family, a prominent political dynasty in Greece.
- Callas – Associated with the legendary opera singer Maria Callas, known for her powerful voice and dramatic performances.
- Livanos – Linked to the Livanos family, a prominent Greek shipping dynasty.
- Niarchos – Referring to the Niarchos family, known for their success in the shipping industry and art collecting.
- Mitsotakis – Associated with the Mitsotakis family, a notable political family in Greece, including former Prime Minister Constantine Mitsotakis and his son Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the current Prime Minister.
- Roussos – Linked to the famous Greek singer Demis Roussos, known for his distinctive voice and international hits.
- Hadjidakis – Referring to the renowned composer Manos Hadjidakis, known for his contributions to Greek music and his Academy Award-winning composition for the film “Never on Sunday.”
- Vardinoyannis – Associated with the Vardinoyannis family, known for their philanthropic efforts and business ventures.
- Karamanlis – Linked to the Karamanlis family, a prominent political family in Greece, including former Prime Minister Konstantinos Karamanlis and his nephew Kostas Karamanlis, also a former Prime Minister.
Please note that this is just a small selection of famous Greek last names, and there are many more notable individuals and families with significant contributions in various fields throughout Greek history. (Not to mention the ancient Greek gods, mythological names, and philosophers.)
Greek Last Names That Start With A
Greek Last Names That Start With A:
- Adamopoulos – Derived from the given name “Adam,” it signifies “son of Adam.”
- Antonopoulos – Derived from the given name “Antonios,” it means “son of Antonios.”
- Athanasiadis – Derived from the given name “Athanassios,” it signifies “son of Athanassios.”
- Andreas – Derived from the given name “Andreas,” it means “son of Andreas.”
- Argyris – Derived from the Greek word for “silver,” it was originally a nickname for someone with silver hair or a silversmith.
- Apostolou – Derived from the Greek word for “apostle,” it signifies “son of the apostle” and was used to denote a descendant of an apostle or a follower of the apostles.
- Angelopoulos – Derived from the given name “Angelos,” it means “son of Angelos” or “descendant of Angelos.”
- Alexopoulos – Derived from the given name “Alexios,” it signifies “son of Alexios.”
- Andreou – Derived from the given name “Andreas,” it means “son of Andreas.”
- Anagnostopoulos – Derived from the Greek word for “reader” or “scholar,” it was originally a occupational surname for someone involved in religious reading or teaching.
Greek Last Names That Start With B
Greek Last Names That Start With B:
- Bakas – Derived from the Greek word for “hawk,” it was originally a nickname for someone who possessed hawk-like characteristics.
- Bakopoulos – Derived from the name “Bakos,” it signifies “son of Bakos.”
- Batsaris – Derived from the Greek word for “cotton,” it was originally an occupational surname for someone involved in cotton-related work.
- Bekas – Derived from the Greek word for “falcon,” it was originally a nickname for someone who displayed falcon-like qualities.
- Belisarios – Derived from the given name “Belisarios,” it signifies “son of Belisarios.”
- Boulgaris – Derived from the word “Bulgarian,” it was originally an ethnic surname for someone of Bulgarian origin.
- Boukas – Derived from the Greek word for “ox,” it was originally a nickname for someone who resembled an ox in strength or demeanor.
- Bouras – Derived from the Greek word for “ox,” it was originally a nickname for someone who possessed ox-like characteristics.
- Brakas – Derived from the Greek word for “bass,” it was originally a nickname for someone who displayed bass-like qualities.
- Bizakis – Derived from the Greek word for “musk,” it was originally a nickname for someone who emitted a musky scent or had a musk-like quality.
Greek Last Names That Start With C
Greek Last Names That Start With C:
- Christopoulos – Derived from the given name “Christos,” it means “son of Christos” or “descendant of Christos.”
- Constantinou – Derived from the given name “Constantinos,” it signifies “son of Constantinos.”
- Chrysanthopoulos – Derived from the Greek words for “golden flower,” it signifies “son of the golden flower.”
- Charalambous – Derived from the Greek words for “joy” and “light,” it signifies “joyful light” and is often associated with the religious figure Saint Charalambos.
- Chatzidakis – Derived from the given name “Chatzidakis,” it means “son of Chatzidakis.”
- Chiotis – Derived from the island of Chios in Greece, it was originally an ethnic surname for someone from Chios.
- Chrysostomou – Derived from the Greek words for “golden” and “mouth,” it signifies “golden-mouthed” and is often associated with the religious figure Saint John Chrysostom, known for his eloquent preaching.
- Chrysopoulos – Derived from the Greek words for “golden” and “son,” it signifies “son of gold” or “descendant of gold.”
- Christodoulou – Derived from the Greek words for “Christ” and “slave,” it signifies “slave of Christ” and is often associated with devout Christian families.
- Christou – Derived from the given name “Christos,” it means “son of Christos.”
- Chrysos – Derived from the Greek word for “gold,” it was originally a nickname for someone who had a golden complexion or exhibited valuable qualities.
- Chronopoulos – Derived from the Greek word for “time,” it signifies “son of time” or “descendant of time.”
- Christakos – Derived from the given name “Christos,” it means “son of Christos.”
- Constantinides – Derived from the given name “Constantine,” it signifies “son of Constantine.”
- Chatzis – Derived from the given name “Chatzis,” it means “son of Chatzis.”
- Charalampidis – Derived from the Greek words for “joy” and “lamp,” it signifies “joyful lamp” and is often associated with the religious figure Saint Charalampus.
- Chantzis – Derived from the given name “Chantzis,” it means “son of Chantzis.”
Greek Last Names That Start With D
Greek Last Names That Start With D:
- Dimitriou – Derived from the given name “Dimitrios,” it signifies “son of Dimitrios.”
- Demopoulos – Derived from the given name “Demos,” it means “son of Demos.”
- Doukas – Derived from the Greek word for “duke” or “nobleman,” it was originally a title given to someone of high social standing.
- Daskalakis – Derived from the Greek word for “teacher,” it was originally an occupational surname for someone involved in teaching or scholarly work.
- Drakos – Derived from the Greek word for “dragon,” it was originally a nickname for someone who displayed dragon-like qualities.
- Damaskinos – Derived from the city of Damascus, it was originally an ethnic surname for someone from Damascus or of Syrian origin.
- Douzenis – Derived from the Greek word for “twelve,” it was originally a nickname for someone born in the twelfth month or who had twelve siblings.
- Diamantopoulos – Derived from the Greek word for “diamond,” it signifies “son of the diamond” or “descendant of the diamond.”
- Delis – Derived from the Greek word for “noble,” it was originally a nickname for someone of noble birth or with noble qualities.
- Diakos – Derived from the Greek word for “assistant” or “servant,” it was originally an occupational surname for someone in a supportive role.
Greek Last Names That Start With E
Greek Last Names That Start With E:
- Evangelou – Derived from the Greek word for “good news” or “gospel,” it signifies “son of the good news” and is often associated with devout Christian families.
- Eleftheriou – Derived from the Greek word for “freedom,” it signifies “son of freedom” and is often associated with families that fought for independence.
- Economidis – Derived from the Greek word for “economy,” it was originally an occupational surname for someone involved in economic or financial matters.
- Epaminondas – Derived from the given name “Epaminondas,” it signifies “son of Epaminondas.”
- Efthimiou – Derived from the Greek word for “good spirit” or “good soul,” it signifies “son of the good spirit.”
- Emmanouilidis – Derived from the given name “Emmanouil,” it means “son of Emmanouil” or “descendant of Emmanouil.”
- Economou – Derived from the Greek word for “economy,” it signifies “son of the economy” or “descendant of the economy.”
- Evripidou – Derived from the given name “Evripidis,” it means “son of Evripidis” or “descendant of Evripidis.”
- Efstathiou – Derived from the Greek word for “steadfastness” or “constancy,” it signifies “son of steadfastness.”
- Evangelidis – Derived from the Greek word for “good news” or “gospel,” it signifies “son of the good news” or “descendant of the good news.”
- Eliopoulos – Derived from the given name “Elias,” it means “son of Elias” or “descendant of Elias.”
- Evangelista – Derived from the Greek word for “evangelist,” it signifies “son of the evangelist” and is often associated with religious families.
- Efstathopoulos – Derived from the Greek word for “steadfastness” or “constancy,” it signifies “son of steadfastness” or “descendant of steadfastness.”
- Ermis – Derived from the Greek god Hermes, it was originally a name given to someone who possessed qualities associated with the god Hermes, such as eloquence or swiftness.
- Eustratiou – Derived from the Greek word for “well-built” or “good military formation,” it signifies “son of the well-built” or “descendant of the well-built.”
Greek Last Names That Start With F
Greek Last Names That Start With F:
- Fotopoulos – Derived from the Greek word for “light,” it signifies “son of light” or “descendant of light.”
- Fragakis – Derived from the Greek word for “strawberry,” it was originally a nickname for someone with red or strawberry-colored hair.
- Fokas – Derived from the Greek word for “seal,” it was originally a nickname for someone who displayed qualities associated with a seal, such as agility or playfulness.
- Fourkas – Derived from the Greek word for “fork,” it was originally a nickname for someone who had a fork-like physical attribute or used a fork in their occupation.
- Fournieris – Derived from the French word for “baker,” it signifies someone involved in baking or a family that had a connection to the baking profession.
- Frangopoulos – Derived from the Greek word for “Frankish” or “French,” it was originally an ethnic surname for someone of Frankish or French origin.
- Filippou – Derived from the given name “Philippos,” it means “son of Philippos.”
- Floudas – Derived from the Greek word for “flood,” it was originally a nickname for someone who lived near a river or experienced a significant flood.
- Fragos – Derived from the Greek word for “rock” or “stone,” it was originally a nickname for someone who was strong or had a solid and sturdy character.
- Frantzis – Derived from the given name “Frantzis,” it means “son of Frantzis.”
Greek Last Names That Start With G
Greek Last Names That Start With G:
- Georgiou – Derived from the given name “Georgios,” it signifies “son of Georgios.”
- Galanopoulos – Derived from the Greek words for “calm” and “city,” it signifies “son of the calm city.”
- Gialamas – Derived from the Greek word for “sea,” it was originally a nickname for someone who lived near or had a connection to the sea.
- Gavrilis – Derived from the given name “Gavriil,” it means “son of Gavriil.”
- Gazi – Derived from the Arabic word for “conqueror” or “victorious,” it was originally a name given to someone who had achieved a significant victory or success.
- Gerasimidis – Derived from the given name “Gerasimos,” it signifies “son of Gerasimos.”
- Giannopoulos – Derived from the given name “Giannis,” it signifies “son of Giannis” or “descendant of Giannis.”
- Giotopoulos – Derived from the given name “Giorgos,” it signifies “son of Giorgos.”
- Grammatikos – Derived from the Greek word for “grammarian” or “scholar,” it was originally an occupational surname for someone involved in grammar or scholarly pursuits.
- Grigoriou – Derived from the given name “Grigorios,” it signifies “son of Grigorios” or “descendant of Grigorios.”
Greek Last Names That Start With H
Greek Last Names That Start With H:
- Haralambopoulos – Derived from the given name “Haralambos,” it signifies “son of Haralambos.”
- Hadjipateras – Derived from the Turkish word for “pasha” or “ruler,” it was originally a title given to someone of high social standing or authority.
- Hatzopoulos – Derived from the given name “Hatzopoulos,” it means “son of Hatzopoulos.”
- Heliopoulos – Derived from the given name “Helios,” which means “sun,” it signifies “son of Helios” or “descendant of Helios.”
- Hristopoulos – Derived from the given name “Hristos,” it signifies “son of Hristos” or “descendant of Hristos.”
- Hatzis – Derived from the given name “Hatzis,” it means “son of Hatzis.”
- Halkias – Derived from the Greek word for “copper” or “bronze,” it was originally a nickname for someone who worked with or had physical characteristics similar to copper or bronze.
- Hatzidakis – Derived from the given name “Hatzidakis,” it signifies “son of Hatzidakis.”
- Hatzifotiadis – Derived from the given name “Hatzifotis,” it means “son of Hatzifotis.”
- Hatzilazarou – Derived from the given name “Hatzilazaros,” it signifies “son of Hatzilazaros.”
Greek Last Names That Start With I
Greek Last Names That Start With I:
- Ioannou – Derived from the given name “Ioannis,” it signifies “son of Ioannis.”
- Iliopoulos – Derived from the given name “Ilias,” it means “son of Ilias.”
- Iakovou – Derived from the given name “Iakovos,” it signifies “son of Iakovos.”
- Iordanou – Derived from the given name “Iordanis,” it means “son of Iordanis.”
- Iliadis – Derived from the Greek epic poem “Iliad,” it signifies “related to the Iliad” or “descendant of someone associated with the Iliad.”
- Iordanidis – Derived from the given name “Iordanis,” it signifies “son of Iordanis” or “descendant of Iordanis.”
- Ioannidis – Derived from the given name “Ioannis,” it signifies “son of Ioannis” or “descendant of Ioannis.”
- Ioakimidis – Derived from the given name “Ioakim,” it means “son of Ioakim.”
- Iliadis – Derived from the Greek epic poem “Iliad,” it signifies “related to the Iliad” or “descendant of someone associated with the Iliad.”
- Iakovides – Derived from the given name “Iakovos,” it signifies “son of Iakovos” or “descendant of Iakovos.”
Greek Last Names That Start With J
Greek Last Names That Start With J:
- None found. Greek surnames starting with “J” are rare, as the letter “J” does not exist in the modern Greek alphabet.
Greek Last Names That Start With K
Greek Last Names That Start With K:
- Karagiannis – Derived from the Turkish word “kara” meaning “black” and the given name “Giannis,” it signifies “black Giannis” or “descendant of black Giannis.”
- Kostopoulos – Derived from the given name “Kostas,” it signifies “son of Kostas.”
- Katsaros – Derived from the Greek word for “curly hair,” it was originally a nickname for someone with curly or wavy hair.
- Kokkinos – Derived from the Greek word for “red,” it was originally a nickname for someone with red hair or a reddish complexion.
- Kourakis – Derived from the Greek word for “young man,” it was originally a nickname for a young or youthful individual.
- Karamanlis – Derived from the Turkish word for “black” and the Greek word for “man,” it signifies “black man” or “descendant of a black man.”
- Koulouris – Derived from the Greek word for “circle” or “ring,” it was originally a nickname for someone with a circular or rounded physical attribute or occupation.
- Katsoulis – Derived from the Greek word for “little cat,” it was originally a nickname for someone who displayed cat-like qualities, such as agility or playfulness.
- Kyriakou – Derived from the given name “Kyriakos,” it signifies “son of Kyriakos.”
- Kourkoulis – Derived from the Greek word for “little raven,” it was originally a nickname for someone who resembled or had an association with a raven.
- Kanellopoulos – Derived from the Greek word for “cinnamon,” it was originally a nickname for someone with a cinnamon complexion or someone involved in the spice trade.
Greek Last Names That Start With L
Greek Last Names That Start With L:
- Lambropoulos – Derived from the Greek words for “shiny” or “radiant” and “city,” it signifies “son of the shiny city.”
- Laskaris – Derived from the Greek word for “soldier” or “warrior,” it was originally an occupational surname for someone involved in military or martial pursuits.
- Loukas – Derived from the given name “Loukas,” it means “son of Loukas.”
- Leventis – Derived from the Turkish word “levent,” which means “young and brave,” it signifies someone who is young and courageous.
- Lekakis – Derived from the Greek word for “white,” it was originally a nickname for someone with fair or light-colored hair or complexion.
- Livanos – Derived from the Greek word for “lebanon,” it was originally an ethnic surname for someone from Lebanon or of Lebanese origin.
- Louris – Derived from the Greek word for “palm tree,” it was originally a nickname for someone who lived near or had a connection to palm trees.
- Ladas – Derived from the Greek word for “hare” or “rabbit,” it was originally a nickname for someone who displayed qualities associated with a hare, such as swiftness or agility.
- Lykakis – Derived from the Greek word for “wolf,” it was originally a nickname for someone who displayed wolf-like qualities, such as strength or cunning.
- Lytras – Derived from the Greek word for “painter,” it was originally an occupational surname for someone involved in painting or the arts.
Greek Last Names That Start With M
Greek Last Names That Start With M:
- Makris – Derived from the Greek word for “long” or “tall,” it was originally a nickname for someone who was physically tall or had long limbs.
- Manolis – Derived from the given name “Manolis,” it means “son of Manolis.”
- Mavridis – Derived from the Greek word for “black,” it signifies “son of the black” or “descendant of the black.”
- Mastrogiannis – Derived from the Greek words for “master” or “teacher” and “Giannis,” it signifies “master Giannis” or “descendant of a master Giannis.”
- Michalopoulos – Derived from the given name “Michalis,” it signifies “son of Michalis.”
- Markopoulos – Derived from the given name “Markos,” it means “son of Markos.”
- Metaxas – Derived from the Greek word for “silk,” it was originally an occupational surname for someone involved in silk production or trade.
- Mylonas – Derived from the Greek word for “miller,” it was originally an occupational surname for someone involved in milling or grinding grain.
- Mastrogiorgis – Derived from the Greek words for “master” or “teacher” and “Giorgos,” it signifies “master Giorgos” or “descendant of a master Giorgos.”
- Milonas – Derived from the Greek word for “apple,” it was originally a nickname for someone with apple-like characteristics, such as rosy cheeks or a round face.
Greek Last Names That Start With N
Greek Last Names That Start With N:
- Nikolou – Derived from the given name “Nikolaos,” it signifies “son of Nikolaos.”
- Neofytou – Derived from the Greek word for “newly planted,” it signifies “son of the newly planted” or “descendant of the newly planted.”
- Ntakaris – Derived from the Greek word for “hawk,” it was originally a nickname for someone who possessed hawk-like qualities.
- Ntinos – Derived from the given name “Ntinos,” it means “son of Ntinos.”
- Nikitopoulos – Derived from the given name “Nikitas,” it means “son of Nikitas.”
- Nomikos – Derived from the Greek word for “law” or “custom,” it was originally an occupational surname for someone involved in legal or judicial matters.
- Ntounis – Derived from the Greek word for “ear,” it was originally a nickname for someone with notable or distinctive ears.
- Ntallis – Derived from the Greek word for “swift” or “quick,” it was originally a nickname for someone who was known for their agility or speed.
- Nastos – Derived from the Greek word for “sweet” or “pleasant,” it was originally a nickname for someone with a sweet or pleasant disposition.
- Nassopoulos – Derived from the given name “Nassos,” it signifies “son of Nassos.”
Greek Last Names That Start With O
Greek Last Names That Start With O:
- Orfanos – Derived from the Greek word for “orphan,” it signifies “son of an orphan” or “descendant of an orphan.”
- Oikonomou – Derived from the Greek word for “economy,” it signifies “son of the economy” or “descendant of the economy.”
- Oikonomidis – Derived from the Greek word for “economy,” it signifies “son of the economy” or “descendant of the economy.”
- Orestis – Derived from the given name “Orestis,” it means “son of Orestis.”
- Oikonomopoulos – Derived from the Greek word for “economy,” it signifies “son of the economy” or “descendant of the economy.”
- Odisseos – Derived from the given name “Odysseus,” it means “son of Odysseus.”
- Olympios – Derived from the Greek word for “Olympian,” it was originally an epithet associated with the gods of Mount Olympus and later became a surname.
- Oikonomakos – Derived from the Greek word for “economy” and the Turkish word “ak,” which means “white,” it signifies “white economy” or “descendant of the white economy.”
- Oikonomidis – Derived from the Greek word for “economy,” it signifies “son of the economy” or “descendant of the economy.”
- Oikonomopoulou – Derived from the Greek word for “economy,” it signifies “daughter of the economy” or “descendant of the economy.”
Greek Last Names That Start With P
Greek Last Names That Start With P:
- Papadopoulos – Derived from the Greek word for “priest” or “father,” it signifies “son of the priest” or “descendant of the priest.”
- Papageorgiou – Derived from the Greek words for “priest” or “father” and “farmer,” it signifies “priest-farmer” or “descendant of a priest-farmer.”
- Petrakis – Derived from the given name “Petros,” it means “son of Petros.”
- Panagiotou – Derived from the given name “Panagiotis,” it signifies “son of Panagiotis.”
- Papanastasiou – Derived from the Greek words for “priest” or “father” and “resurrection,” it signifies “son of the priest of the resurrection” or “descendant of the priest of the resurrection.”
- Pappas – Derived from the Greek word for “priest” or “father,” it was originally a title given to someone in a religious role or a respected elder.
- Poulakas – Derived from the Greek word for “little bird,” it was originally a nickname for someone who displayed bird-like qualities, such as agility or gracefulness.
- Polydorou – Derived from the Greek words for “many” and “gifts,” it signifies “son of many gifts” or “descendant of many gifts.”
- Protopoulos – Derived from the Greek word for “first” or “chief,” it was originally an occupational surname for someone in a leading or prominent position.
- Pantelidis – Derived from the given name “Pantelis,” it means “son of Pantelis.”
- Paraskevopoulos – Derived from the Greek word for “Friday,” it signifies “son of Friday” and is often associated with families who have a connection to the day of Friday, particularly in religious contexts.
- Pseftopoulos – Derived from the Greek word for “lie” or “falsehood,” it was originally a nickname for someone known for telling falsehoods or being deceitful.
- Papandreou – Derived from the Greek words for “priest” or “father” and “man,” it signifies “priestly man” or “descendant of a priestly man.”
- Papamichael – Derived from the Greek words for “priest” or “father” and “Michael,” it signifies “son of the priest Michael” or “descendant of the priest Michael.”
- Papazoglou – Derived from the Greek word for “priest” or “father” and the Turkish word “oglu,” which means “son,” it signifies “son of the priest” or “descendant of the priest.”
Greek Last Names That Start With Q
Greek Last Names That Start With Q:
- No common Greek last names start with the letter “Q”.
Greek Last Names That Start With R
Greek Last Names That Start With R:
- Raptis – Derived from the Greek word for “seamstress” or “tailor,” it was originally an occupational surname for someone involved in sewing or tailoring.
- Rodopoulos – Derived from the Greek word for “rose” and “city,” it signifies “son of the rose city” or “descendant of the rose city.”
- Roussos – Derived from the Greek word for “red,” it was originally a nickname for someone with red hair or a reddish complexion.
- Rallis – Derived from the Turkish word “ral,” which means “flag,” it was originally a nickname for someone who carried or displayed flags.
- Rizos – Derived from the Greek word for “root,” it was originally a nickname for someone with deep-rooted qualities or connections.
- Raptakis – Derived from the Greek word for “seamstress” or “tailor,” it was originally an occupational surname for someone involved in sewing or tailoring.
- Rousopoulos – Derived from the Greek word for “rose” and the Turkish word “pasha,” which means “ruler,” it signifies “ruler of the rose” or “descendant of the ruler of the rose.”
- Rempelos – Derived from the Greek word for “bulb” or “tuber,” it was originally a nickname for someone with bulbous or round features.
- Rizopoulos – Derived from the Greek word for “root,” it signifies “son of the root” or “descendant of the root.”
- Rallis – Derived from the Turkish word “ral,” which means “flag,” it signifies “son of the flag” or “descendant of the flag.”
Greek Last Names That Start With S
Greek Last Names That Start With S:
- Sakellaropoulos – Derived from the Greek word for “goldsmith,” it was originally an occupational surname for someone involved in goldsmithing.
- Sotiriou – Derived from the given name “Sotiris,” it signifies “son of Sotiris” or “descendant of Sotiris.”
- Samaras – Derived from the Greek word for “saddle,” it was originally an occupational surname for someone involved in saddle-making or related equestrian work.
- Sofokleous – Derived from the given name “Sofoklis,” it means “son of Sofoklis” or “descendant of Sofoklis.”
- Stefanopoulos – Derived from the given name “Stefanos,” it signifies “son of Stefanos.”
- Stavropoulos – Derived from the Greek words for “cross” and “city,” it signifies “son of the cross city” or “descendant of the cross city.”
- Seremetis – Derived from the Turkish word “seremet,” which means “trusted” or “reliable,” it was originally a nickname for someone who was considered trustworthy or dependable.
- Sarantopoulos – Derived from the Greek word for “forty,” it signifies “son of forty” or “descendant of forty.”
- Spyridakis – Derived from the given name “Spyridon,” it means “son of Spyridon” or “descendant of Spyridon.”
- Sarris – Derived from the Greek word for “flowery” or “rosy,” it was originally a nickname for someone with a flowery or rosy complexion.
Greek Last Names That Start With T
Greek Last Names That Start With T:
- Theodorou – Derived from the given name “Theodoros,” it signifies “son of Theodoros.”
- Tsoukalas – Derived from the Greek word for “bald,” it was originally a nickname for someone who had little or no hair.
- Tziotis – Derived from the Greek word for “zealot” or “enthusiast,” it was originally a nickname for someone who displayed great passion or enthusiasm.
- Tsimikas – Derived from the given name “Tsimis,” it means “son of Tsimis.”
- Tsiolis – Derived from the given name “Tsiolis,” it signifies “son of Tsiolis.”
- Tavoularis – Derived from the Greek word for “turkey,” it was originally a nickname for someone who had physical characteristics or behavior resembling a turkey.
- Tzortzis – Derived from the given name “Tzortzis,” it means “son of Tzortzis.”
- Triantafyllou – Derived from the Greek words for “rose” and “leaf,” it signifies “son of the rose leaf” or “descendant of the rose leaf.”
- Tzannis – Derived from the given name “Tzannis,” it means “son of Tzannis.”
- Tzavaras – Derived from the Greek word for “shepherd,” it was originally an occupational surname for someone involved in shepherding or animal husbandry.
Greek Last Names That Start With U
Greek Last Names That Start With U:
- No common Greek last names start with the letter “U”.
Greek Last Names That Start With V
Greek Last Names That Start With V:
- Vlachos – Derived from the Greek word “Vlach,” which refers to a Latin-speaking population in the Balkans, it was originally an ethnic surname for someone of Vlach origin.
- Vasilopoulos – Derived from the given name “Vasilios,” it signifies “son of Vasilios.”
- Vlachopoulos – Derived from the Greek word “Vlach,” which refers to a Latin-speaking population in the Balkans, it signifies “son of a Vlach” or “descendant of a Vlach.”
- Vourakis – Derived from the Greek word for “ox,” it was originally a nickname for someone who resembled an ox in strength or demeanor.
- Vrettos – Derived from the Greek word for “falcon,” it was originally a nickname for someone who displayed falcon-like qualities.
- Vlachogiannis – Derived from the Greek word “Vlach,” which refers to a Latin-speaking population in the Balkans, and the given name “Giannis,” it signifies “son of a Vlach Giannis” or “descendant of a Vlach Giannis.”
- Vrontis – Derived from the Greek word for “front” or “forehead,” it was originally a nickname for someone with a prominent forehead or distinctive facial features.
- Vardakis – Derived from the Greek word “vardas,” which means “rose,” it signifies “son of the rose” or “descendant of the rose.”
- Vougiouklakis – Derived from the Turkish word “bıçaklı,” which means “with a knife,” it was originally a nickname for someone associated with knives or knife-related work.
- Vourvoulis – Derived from the Greek word “vourvouli,” which means “bulky” or “chubby,” it was originally a nickname for someone who was stout or had a robust physique.
Greek Last Names That Start With W
Greek Last Names That Start With W:
- No common Greek last names start with the letter “W”.
Greek Last Names That Start With X
Greek Last Names That Start With X:
- Xenakis – Derived from the Greek word “xenos,” which means “foreigner” or “stranger,” it was originally an ethnic surname for someone of foreign origin or descent.
- Xanthopoulos – Derived from the Greek words for “yellow” and “city,” it signifies “son of the yellow city” or “descendant of the yellow city.”
- Xydakis – Derived from the Greek word for “wood,” it was originally an occupational surname for someone involved in woodworking or carpentry.
- Xidias – Derived from the Greek word for “horse,” it was originally a nickname for someone associated with horses or horse-related activities.
- Xagoraris – Derived from the Greek word for “marketplace” or “bazaar,” it was originally an occupational surname for someone involved in commerce or trade.
- Xinos – Derived from the Greek word for “stranger” or “foreigner,” it signifies someone who is a stranger or of foreign origin.
- Xypolitas – Derived from the Greek word for “knife,” it was originally an occupational surname for someone involved in knife-making or related crafts.
- Xenos – As mentioned, derived from the Greek word for “stranger” or “foreigner.”
- Xirogiannis – Derived from the Greek words for “dry” and “Giannis,” it signifies “son of the dry Giannis” or “descendant of the dry Giannis.”
- Xydopoulos – Derived from the Greek word for “wood,” it signifies “son of the wood” or “descendant of the wood.”
Greek Last Names That Start With Y
Greek Last Names That Start With Y:
- Yannakakis – Derived from the given name “Yannis,” it signifies “son of Yannis.”
- Yiannopoulos – Derived from the given name “Yiannis,” it signifies “son of Yiannis.”
- Ypsilantis – Derived from the Greek words for “upper” or “high” and “city,” it signifies “son of the upper city” or “descendant of the upper city.”
- Yiotis – Derived from the given name “Yiotis,” it means “son of Yiotis.”
- Yfantis – Derived from the Greek word for “archer,” it was originally a nickname for someone skilled in archery or someone associated with archery.
- Ypatios – Derived from the given name “Ypatios,” it signifies “son of Ypatios” or “descendant of Ypatios.”
- Yannopoulos – Derived from the given name “Yannis,” it signifies “son of Yannis” or “descendant of Yannis.”
- Ypsilantis – Derived from the Greek words for “upper” or “high” and “city,” it signifies “son of the upper city” or “descendant of the upper city.”
- Yannis – Derived from the given name “Yannis,” it means “son of Yannis.”
- Yfandis – Derived from the Greek word for “archer,” it was originally a nickname for someone skilled in archery or someone associated with archery.
Greek Last Names That Start With Z
Greek Last Names That Start With Z:
- Zachariadis – Derived from the given name “Zacharias,” it signifies “son of Zacharias.”
- Zografos – Derived from the Greek word for “painter” or “artist,” it was originally an occupational surname for someone involved in painting or the arts.
- Zervos – Derived from the Greek word for “serpent” or “snake,” it was originally a nickname for someone who exhibited snake-like qualities or characteristics.
- Zikos – Derived from the Greek word for “life,” it was originally a nickname for someone who displayed vitality or zest for life.
- Zambas – Derived from the Greek word for “bootmaker” or “shoemaker,” it was originally an occupational surname for someone involved in bootmaking or shoemaking.
- Zafiriou – Derived from the given name “Zafiris,” it signifies “son of Zafiris.”
- Zoumpoulis – Derived from the Turkish word “zembilci,” which means “baggage carrier,” it was originally an occupational surname for someone involved in carrying or transporting goods.
- Zografopoulos – Derived from the Greek word for “painter” or “artist,” it signifies “son of the painter” or “descendant of the painter.”
- Zikopoulos – Derived from the Greek word for “life,” it signifies “son of life” or “descendant of life.”
- Zannetakis – Derived from the given name “Zannetos,” it means “son of Zannetos” or “descendant of Zannetos.”
- Zarkadis – Derived from the Turkish word “zar,” which means “money,” it was originally a nickname for someone associated with money or financial matters.
- Zalokostas – Derived from the Greek words for “bald” and “bone,” it was originally a nickname for someone with a bald head or a visible skull shape.
- Zachopoulos – Derived from the given name “Zachos,” it signifies “son of Zachos.”
- Zampetas – Derived from the Greek word for “hoe,” it was originally an occupational surname for someone involved in agriculture or farming.
Please note that Greek last names can have multiple variations and spellings, and meanings can sometimes differ depending on regional or historical factors. The meanings provided here are general interpretations of the names.
FAQs – Greek Last Names
Below we have a detailed FAQ section addressing common questions about Greek last names:
What is the significance of Greek last names?
Greek last names hold historical and cultural significance.
They often indicate the individual’s lineage, occupation, or personal attributes.
Exploring their meanings provides insights into Greek heritage and traditions.
How did Greek last names originate?
Greek last names have diverse origins. Some derive from occupations, such as “Papadopoulos” meaning “son of a priest,” while others are patronymic, indicating descent from a male ancestor, like “Georgiou” meaning “son of George.”
Are Greek last names gender-specific?
In Greek, last names are not gender-specific.
Both males and females inherit and use the same family name, which is typically passed down through the paternal line.
What are some common Greek last names?
Common Greek last names include “Papadopoulos,” “Georgiou,” “Katsaros,” and “Christopoulos.”
These names have been prevalent throughout history and can be found in numerous Greek communities worldwide.
Are there rare and exotic Greek last names?
Yes, Greek last names can be rare and exotic. Examples include “Zervos,” “Xanthopoulos,” and “Laskaris.”
These less common names often have unique origins or associations.
Do Greek last names have specific meanings?
Yes, Greek last names often have specific meanings. For instance, “Tsakalidis” means “hawk-like,” “Triantafyllou” means “rose blossom,” and “Sideris” means “iron.”
These meanings can provide insights into ancestral characteristics or regional influences.
Can Greek last names reveal a person’s ancestry?
Greek last names can offer clues about a person’s ancestry.
Patronymic names like “Andreadis” (son of Andrew) indicate a direct family connection to a male ancestor, while geographical names like “Kyprianou” suggest Cypriot heritage.
Are there any famous individuals associated with Greek last names?
Yes, numerous famous individuals bear Greek last names.
For instance, the Onassis family, with the last name “Onassis,” achieved global prominence in shipping and business.
Renowned figures like Maria Callas, with the last name “Callas,” made significant contributions to the world of opera.
Do Greek last names reflect ancient Greek culture?
Greek last names bear connections to ancient Greek culture.
Many names derive from ancient Greek words or are associated with historical figures, reflecting the enduring influence of Greek heritage on naming practices.
How long can Greek last names be?
Greek last names can vary in length. Some are short, like “Karas,” while others, such as “Papadimitriou” and “Papathanasiou,” can be longer.
The length often depends on the complexity of the name’s components.
Can Greek last names change over time?
Greek last names can change over time due to various reasons, including marriage, immigration, or personal preference.
Changes may involve alterations, translations, or adaptations to fit different cultural contexts.
Are there regional variations in Greek last names?
Yes, regional variations exist in Greek last names.
Different regions within Greece may have distinct naming traditions, resulting in variations in surnames.
Some names may be more prevalent in specific areas or communities.
How do Greeks address each other using last names?
In formal settings, Greeks commonly use the courtesy title “Mr.” (Kyrios) or “Mrs./Ms.” (Kyria) followed by the person’s last name. In informal situations, first names or nicknames are often used instead.
Can Greek last names be translated to other languages?
Greek last names are often transliterated or translated to other languages, yes.
Conclusion – Greek Last Names
Greek last names offer a fascinating glimpse into the rich history, culture, and heritage of Greece.
With origins rooted in ancient traditions, these names carry deep meanings and connections to ancestral lineages, occupations, and personal attributes.
From the common and widely known to the rare and exotic, Greek last names reflect the diversity and complexity of Greek society.
Exploring the meanings behind these names reveals the enduring influence of ancient Greek culture, regional variations, and the remarkable individuals who have shaped Greek history.
Whether famous or ordinary, each Greek last name tells a story, forming an integral part of one’s identity and familial legacy.
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