100+ The Most Common Romanian Last Names Or Surnames (2024)

Names tell stories; they bear witness to history and tradition and echo ancient lineages. Romanian last names with their Slavic roots interweaving seamlessly with the Romanian language are evidence of the country’s rich cultural tapestry. Their surnames don’t just act as mere identifiers but indicate a person’s family, tribe, or community, as well as genetic inheritance, typically leading back to one of their father’s surnames in true Romanian tradition.

Romanian surnames hold something uniquely captivating that may elude other nationalities – they don’t follow a template like most names do and thus shine with character and meaning that can open doors into history and heritage.

So whether you’re searching for character surnames for your novel or a curious name finder delving deeper into heritage research, these last names will capture your imagination while connecting you to an ageless tradition!

Common Romanian Last Names With Meanings

1. Albescu: Romanian Origin, meaning “White.”
2. Albu: Romanian Origin, meaning “White.”
3. Aldea: Spanish Origin, meaning “Village.”
4. Alexandrescu: Greek Origin, meaning “Son of Alexander” or “Defender of the People.”
5. Argintari: Romanian Origin, meaning “Silversmith.”
6. Athanasia: Greek/German Origin, meaning “Immortality.”
7. Andrei: Greek Origin, meaning “Manly” or “Masculine.”
8. Ardelean: Romanian Origin, meaning “From the region of Transylvania.”
9. Baciu: Romanian Origin, meaning “Shepherd.”
10. Balan: Romanian Origin, meaning “Blond.”
11. Barbaneagra: Romanian Origin, meaning “Black Beard.”
12. Barbu: Romanian Origin, meaning “Bushy Beard.”
13. Bolboceanu: Romanian Origin, meaning “Descendant of Bolbocea or chatty.”
14. Burcea: Romanian/Slavic Origin, meaning “son of Boris.”
15. Bogdan: Slavic Origin, meaning “God-given” or “Gift of God.”
16. Botezatu: Romanian Origin, meaning “Baptized.”
17. Bucur: Romanian Origin, meaning “Happiness,” “Joy,” or “Delight.”
18. Calcan: Romanian Origin, meaning “Ankle.”
19. Călugăru: Romanian Origin, meaning “A person from Călugăru.
20. Cazacu: Romanian Origin, meaning “From the Cazacu River Region.”
21. Cel Tradat: Romanian Origin, meaning “The Betrayed.”
22. Ciobanu: Romanian Origin, meaning “Shepherd.”
23. Cojocaru: Romanian Origin, meaning “Sheepskin Coat Maker.”
24. Craioveanu: Romanian Origin, meaning “Person of Craiova.”
25. Creţu: Romanian Origin, meaning “Curly Hair.”
26. Dalca: Romanian Origin, meaning “Lightning.”
27. Dan: Hebrew Origin, meaning “God is My Judge.”
28. Dascălu: Romanian Origin, meaning “Teacher” or “Instructor.”
29. Diaconescu: Romanian Origin, meaning “Mathematical theory.”
30. Dragavei: Romanian Origin, meaning “Curly Dock Plant.”
31. Eder: Basque or Hebrew Origin, meaning “Handsome” or “Flock.”
32. Enache: Hebrew Origin, meaning “Comforter.”
33. Erner: Romanian Origin, meaning “Serbian.”
34. Fieraru: Romanian Origin, meaning “Smith.”
35. Fischer: German Origin, meaning “Fisherman.”
36. Floarea: Romanian Origin, meaning “Flower.”
37. Florescu: Romanian Origin, derived from “Flower.”
38. Funar: Romanian Origin, meaning “Rope Maker.”
39. Gheata: Romanian Origin, meaning “Ice.”
40. Grosu: Romanian Origin, meaning “Thick” or “Bulky.”
41. Hatmanu: Romanian Origin, meaning “General” (Military Rank).
42. Hofer: German Origin, meaning “Farm” or “Steward.”
43. Iordanescu: Hebrew Origin, meaning “Son of Jordan.”
44. Ioveanu: Hebrew Origin, meaning “Son of Ivan” or “God is Gracious.”
45. Lazarescu: Hebrew Origin, meaning “Son of Lazar” or “My God Has Helped.”
46. Luca: Greek Origin, meaning “Man from Lucania.”
47. Lungu: Romanian Origin, meaning “Long.”
48. Lupu: Romanian Origin, meaning “Wolf.”
49. Lupei: Romanian Origin, meaning “Wolf.”
50. Maier: German Origin, meaning “Farmer” or “Administrator.”
51. Mayer: German Origin, meaning “Administrator” or “Sheriff.”
52. Mitrea: Romanian Origin, meaning “Miter” (Bishop’s Headdress).
53. Munteanu: Romanian Origin, meaning “From the Mountain.”
54. Muller: German Origin, meaning “Miller.”
55. Nectaria: Greek Origin, meaning “Nectar.”
56. Net: Latin Origin, meaning “Superior” or “Greater.”
57. Nicolescu: Greek Origin, meaning “Son of Nicholas” or “Victory of the People.”
58. Oprea: Romanian Origin, derived from the word “opri,” meaning “stop” or “halt.”
59. Olarescu: Romanian Origin, an occupational surname related to the root “olar,” meaning “potter.”
60. Pekrul: Polish/German, meaning “Spear maker.”
61. Popa: Romanian Origin, meaning “Priest” or “Pastor.”
62. Popescu: Romanian Origin, meaning “Son of the priest” or “Son of Popa.”
63. Pichler: German Origin, meaning “Lives on or by a Hill.”
64. Radu: Slavic Origin, meaning “Happy.”
65. Razvan: Romanian Origin, meaning “Bringer of good news.”
66. Reiter: German Origin, meaning “Cleared Land.”
67. Romanescu: Latin Origin, meaning “Son of Roman” or “Descendant of the Romans.”
68. Roşu: Romanian Origin, meaning “Red.”
69. Rusu: Romanian Origin, meaning “Russian.”
70. Sala: Romanian Origin, meaning “Hall” or “Chamber.”
71. Sasan: Persian Origin, meaning “Founder of the Sasanian Empire.”
72. Sandu: Greek Origin, meaning “Defender of Humanity.”
73. Schmidt: German Origin, meaning “Smith.”
74. Sebastian: Latin Origin, meaning “Venerable” or “Revered.”
75. Serban: Romanian Origin, meaning “Servant.”
76. Segarceanu: Romanian Origin, meaning “From Segarcea.”
77. Stefan: Greek Origin, meaning “Crown.”
78. Skutnik: Romanian Origin, meaning “Exempted.”
79. Simionescu: Romanian Origin, meaning “Son of Simion.”
80. Stan: Slavic Origin, meaning “Glory” or “To Stand.”
81. Stoian: Bulgarian Origin, meaning “To Stand.”
82. Stoica: Romanian Origin, likely related to “Stoian” or “Stoic.”
83. Suta: Romanian Origin, meaning “Left-handed.”
84. Tarniceriu: Romanian Origin, meaning “Saddler.”
85. Tecuceanu: Romanian Origin, meaning “From Tecuci.”
86. Toma: Romanian Origin, a variant of Thomas, meaning “twin.”
87. Turca: Romanian Origin, meaning “Turk.”
88. Ungureanu: Romanian Origin, meaning “Hungarian.”
89. Vacarescu: Romanian Origin, meaning “Son of Cowherd.”
90. Vaduva: Latin Origin, derived from the word “vidua,” meaning “widow.”
91. Vlad: Slavic Origin, meaning “One Who Rules by Glory.”
92. Vulpe: Romanian Origin, meaning “Fox.”
93. Weber: German Origin, meaning “Weaver.”
94. Zamfir: Romanian Origin, meaning “Sapphire.”
95. Zugravescu: Romanian Origin, meaning “Son of the One Who Portrays.”

Old Romanian Last Names

Old Romanian last names echo history, embodying tales of tradition, resilience, and deep connection. Steeped in cultural significance, these names reflect an ancestral lineage full of stories, memories, and an unyielding spirit. They stand testament to past, present, and future connections through generations that remain vital and lasting today.

1. Ionescu

Origin: Derived from “Ion,” a common Romanian given name meaning “John” in English.

2. Dumitrescu

Origin: Based on the given name “Dumitru,” which is the Romanian form of “Demetrius.”

3. Vasilescu

Origin: Derived from the given name “Vasile,” meaning “Basil” in English.

4. Georgescu

Origin: Romania origin with the suffix escu, from the name George meaning “farmer.”

5. Radu

Origin: Derived from the given name “Radu,” which means “happy” or “joyful.”

6. Nicu

Origin: Derived from the given name “Nicolae,” meaning “Nicholas.”

Meaning: Victory of the people.

7. Constantinescu

Origin: Comes from the name “Constantin,” which means “Constantine.”

8. Bălan

Origin: Likely derived from a Romanian word meaning “blond” or “fair-haired.” Refers to someone with light-colored hair.

9. Stanescu

Origin: Based on the given name “Stan,” which means “stone” or “steadfast.”

10. Oprea

Origin: Comes from the Romanian word “oprește,” meaning “stop” or “halt.” Possibly referring to someone who stops or hinders

11. Dănilă

Origin: Slavic/Russia. Derived from the name “Dănilă,” a variant of “Daniel.”

12. Ilie

Origin: Based on the given name “Ilie,” meaning “Elias” or “Elijah.”

13. Munteanu

Origin: Comes from the Romanian word “munte,” meaning “mountain.”

14. Țuțuianu

Origin: From Romanian origin, the meaning is unknown.

FAQs

What Are Some Romanian Surnames?

Each has an intriguing past filled with culture and tradition, often stemming from professions or geographical locations. Who could ever tell what stories these names could reveal!? Here are some surnames: Baciu, Creţu, Fieraru, Fieraru, Roşu, and Segarceanu.

Conclusion: Romanian Surnames

Explore Romanian last names to witness its diverse and vibrant heritage and culture. Each last name tells a unique tale connecting generations and traditions; whether common or uncommon they represent Romania’s rich legacy and continue its vibrant traditions.