75+ Romanian Last Names & Their Historic Origins
Contents
- Popular Romanian Last Names
- Regional Romanian Last Names
- Occupational Romanian Last Names
- Noble Romanian Last Names
- Religious Romanian Last Names
- Famous Romanian Last Names
Romanian last names have a long and rich history. They are often derived from the names of famous people, places, or events, and can tell us a lot about the history of the region. In this article, we will explore 75+ Romanian last names and their historic origins. We will look at the meaning and origin of each name, and how they have evolved over time.

Popular Romanian Last Names
One of the most popular Romanian last names is Popescu, which means “son of the priest”. This name is derived from the Latin word “papa”, which means “father”. Other popular Romanian last names include Ionescu, which means “son of John”, and Stanescu, which means “son of Stan”. Other popular Romanian last names include Dumitru, which means “son of the world”, and Gheorghe, which means “son of the farmer”.
Regional Romanian Last Names
Romanian last names can also be regional in origin. For example, the last name Moldovan is derived from the region of Moldova, while the last name Banu is derived from the region of Banat. Other regional Romanian last names include Dobre, which means “good”, and Radu, which means “happy”.
Occupational Romanian Last Names
Many Romanian last names are derived from occupations. For example, the last name Negru means “black”, and is derived from the occupation of blacksmith. Other occupational Romanian last names include Ciobanu, which means “shepherd”, and Zidaru, which means “mason”.
Noble Romanian Last Names
Many Romanian last names are derived from noble titles. For example, the last name Craioveanu means “son of the prince”, and is derived from the title of Crai, which was a title of nobility in Romania. Other noble Romanian last names include Coman, which means “son of the count”, and Voda, which means “son of the voivode”.
Religious Romanian Last Names
Many Romanian last names are derived from religious beliefs. For example, the last name Dumitru means “son of God”, and is derived from the Latin word “deus”, which means “God”. Other religious Romanian last names include Iacob, which means “son of Jacob”, and Petrescu, which means “son of Peter”.
Famous Romanian Last Names
Many Romanian last names are derived from famous people. For example, the last name Brancoveanu is derived from the name of the famous Romanian prince, Constantin Brancoveanu. Other famous Romanian last names include Caragiale, which is derived from the name of the famous Romanian playwright, Ion Luca Caragiale, and Negruzzi, which is derived from the name of the famous Romanian writer, Costache Negruzzi.
Conclusion
Romanian last names have a long and rich history. They are often derived from the names of famous people, places, or events, and can tell us a lot about the history of the region. In this article, we have explored 75+ Romanian last names and their historic origins. We have looked at the meaning and origin of each name, and how they have evolved over time.
For more information about Romanian last names, please visit Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
FAQ
- Q: What is the most popular Romanian last name?
A: The most popular Romanian last name is Popescu, which means “son of the priest”. - Q: What are some regional Romanian last names?
A: Some regional Romanian last names include Moldovan, which is derived from the region of Moldova, and Banu, which is derived from the region of Banat. - Q: What are some occupational Romanian last names?
A: Some occupational Romanian last names include Negru, which means “black”, and Ciobanu, which means “shepherd”. - Q: What are some noble Romanian last names?
A: Some noble Romanian last names include Craioveanu, which means “son of the prince”, and Coman, which means “son of the count”. - Q: What are some religious Romanian last names?
A: Some religious Romanian last names include Dumitru, which means “son of God”, and Iacob, which means “son of Jacob”. - Q: What are some famous Romanian last names?
A: Some famous Romanian last names include Brancoveanu, which is derived from the name of the famous Romanian prince, Constantin Brancoveanu, and Caragiale, which is derived from the name of the famous Romanian playwright, Ion Luca Caragiale.
Table of Romanian Last Names
Name | Meaning | Origin |
---|---|---|
Popescu | Son of the priest | Latin |
Ionescu | Son of John | Latin |
Stanescu | Son of Stan | Latin |
Dumitru | Son of the world | Latin |
Gheorghe | Son of the farmer | Latin |
Moldovan | From Moldova | Regional |
Banu | From Banat | Regional |
Dobre | Good | Regional |
Radu | Happy | Regional |
Negru | Black | Occupational |
Ciobanu | Shepherd | Occupational |
Zidaru | Mason | Occupational |
Craioveanu | Son of the prince | Noble |
Coman | Son of the count | Noble |
Voda | Son of the voivode | Noble |
Dumitru | Son of God | Religious |
Iacob | Son of Jacob | Religious |
Petrescu | Son of Peter | Religious |
Brancoveanu | Son of the prince | Famous |
Caragiale | Son of the playwright | Famous |
Negruzzi | Son of the writer | Famous |