Greek Surnames
Greek surnames are complicated for most foreigners; not to mention how weird they sound! Their origins, roots and etymology vary a lot; in fact you can find some very typical Greek last names, or very common ones, while others are funny, bizarre or even insulting. In Greece every period has its own characteristics in name giving or surname creation. It is historically known that ancient Greeks did not have official last names, but they did have some patronymic characteristic; i.e. Achilles was Achilles Pileidis (from his father Pileas). The surnames as we know them today appeared towards the end of the 15th century.
Roots and Origins of the Greek Surnames
The vast majority of Greek surnames are known to be patronymics; this means that Greek surnames usually come from the genitive of the first name of the father of the family. Of course you have to go back a few centuries to find who started the tradition, but that is how it goes. So if someone’s last name is Demetriou, that means that the surname came from a man named Demetrios. This was actually an innovation in Grammar, because in their initial form the surnames for women were just a feminine respective of the original masculine name.
This means that the wife or daughter of a man named Bouboulis would be named Bouboulina. It is interesting that the position of women throughout history has been associated with the use of surnames as well; until a few years ago women were obliged to substitute their surname with the one of their husband- later, they were able to keep both surnames, and today, they are free to choose whether they want to keep their surname or add the one of their husband as well (complete substitution is prohibited).
The origins of Greek surnames vary significantly; you can find the patronymics we mentioned earlier, the matronymic ones referring to those that come from mothers’ name, the national or toponymic ones referring to surnames created by names of towns, prefectures and so on. There are also Greek surnames referring to a profession, or the paronymic ones, referring to different abilities, or even animals.
Suffixes and Prefixes in Greek Surnames
In most cases you can recognize the origin of the name and its bearer from the suffix of the surname. For instance, if you see a Greek surname ending in –akis, the person comes from Crete. Not all Cretans have a surname ending in –akis, and not all people with an –akis in their surname are from Crete, but this is very common characteristic and suffix.
Similarly, surnames ending in –ellis come from the island of Lesbos, -opoulos from the Peloponnese peninsula, -idis from Pontus or Asia minor, -iadis from Messinia or Lakonia, -oudas from Macedonia (North Greece).
Prefixes can also give you some information on the origin of the surname:
A surname starting with Kara- means that it comes from the East, or the Asia minor, as “kara” means black in Turkish. Kondo- means short and was very common in islands, Papa- means that once upon a time there was a priest (papas) in the family.
Of course these are generalizations and today due to the vast mixture of names, origins and generations, you cannot rely on these rules. However, it is good to know them since they are part of the Greek tradition and have a lot to do with the old and original roots of most names today.
Common Surnames in Greece
Some of the most common Surnames you can find are: Papadopoulos (don’t even try to count how many men named Giorgos Papadopoulos exist in Greece), Papadakis, Ioannou, Georgiou, Demetriou and more.
Cosmas Zaglanikis
28. Feb, 2010
Hi guys!
I am trying to find out the origin of my family’s surname, Zaglanikis. All information I have found so far tends to suggest that the origin is from the city of Messina in Sicily, which was known as Zancle around the 4th century BC. The family has a history of settlement on the island of Kythira since around the 15th century AD. However, the surname also has characteristics of Cretan origin, even though most Cretan surnames end in -akis and not -ikis. Most families that settled in Kythira can trace their origins to either Venice, Sicily, or Crete. Any help in finding out my family’s origin would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Cosmas Zaglanikis
Catherine P.
21. Apr, 2010
Hi Cosmas,
I have two things to say. Firstly, there were many spelling errors in olden times so I would expect some if I were you. Second, I would suggest searching free Coat of Arms by surname websites. I tried a few, however, and was unable to find your last name.
Lucero
01. May, 2010
Hi, Im trying to found the origin of my last name Rentas, Im from Puerto Rico and I heard its has greek origins, I would like to know if somebody can tell me.thanks
Vivienne
03. May, 2010
Hello
Are there slightly differently common names and forms for Greek Cypriot surnames?
Thanks
Viv
Katia
10. May, 2010
Hi Vivienne! Cypriot surnames are slightly different than the ones in the Greek mainland and islands. Most Cypriot surnames end in -ou or -is, and sound like the genitive of a first name. For instance, some very common last names in Cyprus are Constantinou, Ioannou,Christou,Christofidou , Agathocleous and so on.
Anne
11. May, 2010
I’m looking to find any information on my family’s surname, which is Siaraferas (Saraferas). Both my parents are from Northern Greece, with my dad coming from Kastoria. Any help would be appreciated.
Trish
13. May, 2010
Hey Katia:
In that case, would the surname Pantelis be from Cyprus? Or does the suffix “ellis” from Lesbos apply?
Katia
14. May, 2010
It is not a rule that all names ending in -is are Cypriot, due to the exchange of population, immigrants and so on. After all, Greeks and Cypriots belong to the same nation, under different flags. A surname like Pantelis could also refer to a man born in the Cyclades or even in Lesbos. However, if you see a man with the surname Mallelis for instance, you know that 99% he is from Lesbos.
Marc
16. May, 2010
Hi! I am trying to find more info about my familiy name, Santorni or Santorini, my family was from Crete but settled in Southern Italy at some time around the early XVIII century. Is this name still common? I happened to find some Santorinis and suchlike in Athens phonebook, but no more info than that…Are people with that uncommon surname related?
yannis
16. May, 2010
dear Marc,
the surname you mention is not common in Greece.
Unfortunately I do not have more information.
Yannis
nick
22. May, 2010
hi guys im wondering if anyone knows the origins of the surnames Kappas and Bakogiannis…
my parents are from Agrafa Evretania…where they stayed annomous through the entire turkish occupation, so I’m wondering where the names originated from…..
I’m also doing a pedigree or linage chart have gotten back to the late 1700″s…. 6 generations…..
Zito h Ellada
Mike
02. Jun, 2010
i am trying to find the meaning and background to the name Theofanis
Katia
02. Jun, 2010
Hello Mike, there is a post for the name Theofanis
Are you looking for a surname or given name?
Susan
03. Jun, 2010
Does anyone have any information on the surname Semanderis? I’m trying to find some information on my grandfather, Nick (no surprise!) Semanderis, supposedly born on Crete in 1894.
Thanks
jill
19. Jun, 2010
I am looking for something on the last name Zambos. My grandfather was from Chryssafa, Greece. I can’t seem to find anything on the surname. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
thanks
becca
21. Jun, 2010
Hey, im currently writing a story, and one of my characters is Greek, but i can’t find a suitable surname and I do not know any. Can anyone help me?
Warren
25. Jun, 2010
Looking for history of the last names: Kaltezas, Exintavalones and Ladas. Any help would be appreciated.
Warren
Katia
28. Jun, 2010
Well it depends where your character is from.. is he from the mainland or a Greek island? In any case there are many common Greek surnames such as the ones we have included in this post. Let us know where your Greek character is from and we will help you more!
Sophia
30. Jun, 2010
Something else to add to the article here – surnames ending in “atos” are from Kefalonia.
My surname is Giakoumatos, are there any Greeks out there (like, living in Greece) who can tell me what the meaning/origin of this name is?
I have heard that it’s not a very common surname and that most of the Giakoumatos are related to each other.
Buruyides , Grullides
06. Jul, 2010
Hello, I am Hitzebeth Buruyides from Panama , Rep. Panama . My grandfather come from CORFU ISLAND… I am sure my last name are change here in Panama. So I would appreciate if somebody help me to find some family in this Island.
Julia
07. Jul, 2010
Yassou Katia and Yannis,
Could you provide me with any information on the origin and meaning of the surname Panayiotou?
It seems to be popular in Cyprus, but my grandfather came from the island of Skyros.
Efharisto poli!
Troy Abromaitis
09. Jul, 2010
Please add Abromaitis as a greek surname.
E. Frangedakis
14. Jul, 2010
My family’s name is Frangedakis. It is spelled many different ways: Fragidakis, Fraggiadakis, Frangiadakis, Fragedakis, Frangoudakis, Fragudakis, Fraggadakis, Frankiadakis, Frangiodakis, Fragcoudakis, etc.
Could you tell me the orgins of my name, perhaps? I understand that -akis usually indicates the name comes from Crete, but what of the first portion of the name?
E. Frangedakis
14. Jul, 2010
As well, my Yiayia’s maiden name was Sefarglou. It has alternative spellings such as Seferoglou, sefarglow.
My Great Grandmother (Papou’s side) is Demitroula Jarelianou, and her mother was Lemonia Rantou.
My Papou’s Father’s Mom was Paraska Marris.
If you know, could you please tell me what their last names mean? Such as, where they come from or what their names mean? Sorry to bother you
Mark
15. Jul, 2010
Would you happen to know the origin of the name Zavaro?
I’m not able to find anything on it.
E.F
15. Jul, 2010
My Family name on my Father’s side is Frangedakis, though my Great Grandfather spelled it Fragidakis.
Alternative spellings include Frangiadakis, Fraggiadakis, Fragedakis, Fragudakis, Fraghiadakis, Fragcoudakis, Fragiodakis, Fraggadakis, Fragiodakis, Fragioudakis, Frankiadakis, Frankiadakis, Fragaidakis, as well as Fragcoudakis, etc.
Based on this, what can you tell me about the meaning of my surname? I know -akis refers to coming from Crete, but what of the first portion? Thank you.
E.F.
15. Jul, 2010
Also my Yiayias(Grandmothers) maiden surname was Sefarglou/Seferoglou.
thanks
My Grandpa’s dad’s mom’s maiden name was Paraska Marris. My Grandpas mother’s moms maiden name was Lemonia Rantou.
If you could give me any information on these people or their name’s meaning, or some historical facts about them that would be great.
Rick Sayko
18. Jul, 2010
I need some help I am really lost and going in circles. My mothers madden name is Tullos, and for years I have always assumed the name was Scottish. Recently my mother obtained a photo of her Father, grand father and great grandfather w/several aunts, wives and cousins.
The photo discovered in her fathers effects after his death. I saw the photo and asked who are these people and she informed me who they were. Mother I said these people are not Scottish! They are either Greek or Sicilian. They had very dark complexions and the women had mustaches.
They lived in Texas amongst a Scottish clan that was named Tullos and had roots back to Scotland through Virginia circa 1675. I don’t know if they adopted their name or was it similar such as Tolis (I have seen this name in Greek records, or Tullo in Italian)
I have done as much investigation as I can. Can anybody help at all.
Thanks so much.
RRS
Sonia
01. Aug, 2010
Hi! I’m part greek from my fathers side, but since he’s dead I can’t really get any information on the last name and the origins. Or even different spellings.
My last name is Marousakis.. and his family is from Agios Nikolaos, Crete (which does not surprise me with the -akis ending).. but I’ve wondered if the roots go somewhere else, or how far back do they go? I can only find that one website with the mention of Maria and Ilia Marousakis.. but thats it. And I’ve been trying to search this for awhile now with any other results..
I’m especially interested with different spellings for Marousakis. Because with that spelling, it doesn’t seem to be too common.
Thanks,
Sonia
yannis
02. Aug, 2010
Hi Sonia,
if you search in the Greek White Pages of OTE, then you will find hundreds of people with the surname Manoussakis in Crete. It is a very common last name.
http://www.whitepages.gr/en/Default.aspx
John Zaffis
03. Aug, 2010
I am looking for something on the last name Zaffis. My grandfather was from Lesuos or Rhodes, Greece. I can’t seem to find anything on the surname. Can anyone point me in the right direction?
John Zaffis
Erin
04. Aug, 2010
I was wondering if you know much about the surname Bouboulis, since you use it in your example. It is my mother’s maiden name. My great-grandfather Bouboulis used to tell my mother she was descended from Bouboulina. I don’t know how much of that was fact and how much was family legend. He (my great-grandfather) was from Valteseniko in the Peloponnese.
Katia
09. Aug, 2010
Bouboulis is a very common surname in the island of Spetses, a small but very historic island, where Bouboulina used to live. Spetses is very close to the shores of the Peloponnese, and many people used to travel back and forth, so it’s hard to know where the name comes from exactly. It is a surname found a lot in this region though.
melana
14. Aug, 2010
Hi my Mum and i are trying to trace our Greek-Cypriot origins but all we have to go on is a surname.
“Pampoulides”
We know that the family came from Greece to Cyprus then on to the UK to have my mum there where she was put up for adoption… (apparently her birth mother got too close to a Greek diplomat!)
Is this a name you have come across?
Thanks
Konrad
17. Aug, 2010
Hello, I want to know how are the surnames of Byzantine Emperors such as Komnenos, Palaiologos different from modern surnames as you said in the article “The surnames as we know them today appeared towards the end of the 15th century.”
Christina
20. Aug, 2010
I was trying to track down my Grandfather, and any family I might have still living in Cyprus..
I’m not even sure I have the correct spelling?
Pauloustidious? ..something similar?
Please help…I’ve only hit brick walls in my search?
Rebekah
25. Aug, 2010
My brother-in-law’s last name is Stevanus. Is this a Greek surname? I can’t find anything on it.
Thanks
KATHY
27. Aug, 2010
I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT WHERE THE NAME PARASSAKIS AND CHRISTOSTOMOS OR CHRISOSTOMOU COME FROM THESE ARE THE NAMES OF MY GRANDPARENTS WHO I BELIEVE CAME FROM COS
houvardas
28. Aug, 2010
I’m trying to trace my Greek roots my fathers surname is Houvardas I think the family was orginally from Lesbos