Romanian Last Names: 97 Powerful Picks & Hidden Meanings
In Romanian surnames, behind every suffix and syllable lies a clue. It might point to a father’s trade, a village’s hills, or a forgotten legacy.
Let’s break them down by meanings, old vs. modern names, gender-specific traits, noble lines and rare finds.
23 Most Common Romanian Last Names (and What They Reveal About Your Roots):
Some Romanian last names are everywhere, like on mailboxes, in phone books, and school rosters. These most common Romanian last names didn’t rise by accident. Each one tells a story, often tied to ancestry, occupation, or faith. They’re the Smiths and Johnsons of Romania, but with Latin roots and Orthodox nuance.
Here are 23 common Romanian surnames presented by my team that keep showing up in family trees:
1. Popa
Meaning: Priest
Why it matters: A nod to a religious ancestor, likely Orthodox clergy. Still Romania’s most common surname.
2. Popescu
Meaning: Son of the priest
Suffix -escu makes it patronymic. It’s like saying “priestson.” Widespread due to priests being married in Orthodox tradition.
3. Pop
A simpler form of Popa. Common in Transylvania and often seen in diaspora communities.
4. Radu
A given name turned into a surname. Radu means “happy” or “joyful” in Slavic-rooted Romanian. Think of it as Romania’s “Gladstone.”
5. Dumitru
From the saint’s name Dumitru (Demetrius). A spiritual anchor in many Romanian families.
6. Stan
Short and strong. Possibly from Stanciu or Stanislau, meaning “to become glorious.”
7. Stoica
Likely from a diminutive of Stoian. Common in southern regions. Carries a grounded, old-world vibe.
8. Gheorghe
From Saint George. Represents courage, honor, and religious legacy. Still a staple name.
9. Matei
Derived from Matthew. Biblical roots, but feels personal. Warm and trustworthy.
10. Rusu
Means “the Russian.” Ethnonymic, hinting at migration or mixed heritage.
11. Ciobanu
Means “shepherd.” A name of work and endurance. Still common in rural areas.
12. Marin
From Latin marinus, meaning “of the sea.” Coastal, poetic, and serene.
13. Ionescu
“Son of Ion (John).” You’ll meet Ionescus in every region, from Cluj to Constanța.
14. Florea
Means “flower.” Sometimes a given name, sometimes a surname. Evokes nature and gentleness.
15. Constantin
Tied to Emperor Constantine. A name with imperial echo and deep Orthodox links.
16. Ilie
From the prophet Elijah. Religious and regional—especially in Moldova.
17. Barbu
Means “bearded one.” Originates from appearance or nickname.
18. Petrescu
“Son of Petre.” Common and enduring. Strong ties to Wallachian lineage.
19. Andrei
From Andrew. Classic, religious, and still fashionable.
20. Vasilescu
Means “son of Vasile.” Common among urban families.
21. Nistor
Old Latin roots (Nestor). Less flashy but deeply rooted in history.
22. Dragomir
Slavic-Romanian blend. Means “precious peace.” A warrior-poet kind of name.
23. Tudor
From the given name Tudor. Ties to royalty (think Tudor Vladimirescu). A symbol of pride and defiance.
Many Romanians on Reddit describe these surnames as “inescapable.” One user wrote, “In every village I’ve visited, there’s at least one Popescu and two Stoicas.” Another said, “My grandfather’s name was Ciobanu, and he actually was a shepherd.”
These common Romanian surnames aren’t just statistical. They’re ancestral footprints—left in fields, churches, and city records across the country.
Romanian Last Names and Their Meanings: 31 Stories Hidden in a Name
Here are 31 Romanian surnames and their meanings, each with a story hidden beneath its surface:
1. Ciobanu – Shepherd
A name born from flocks, hills, and cold mornings.
2. Cojocaru – Furrier
One who made or sold fur coats (cojoc). A winter-bound craft.
3. Croitoru – Tailor
From croitor, someone skilled with needle and thread.
4. Brutaru – Baker
Warm ovens, daily bread, and the scent of flour.
5. Fieraru – Blacksmith
The one who forged tools, doors, and destinies.
6. Tâmplaru – Carpenter
Craftsman of wood, homes, and altars.
7. Moraru – Miller
Grain and grindstones, echoing through generations.
8. Zidar – Mason
Brick by brick, they built villages and legacies.
9. Barbu – Bearded
Once a nickname, now a surname. Rugged, descriptive.
10. Bălan – Blond
A surname born from hair color. Still used today.
11. Negru – Black
Might refer to appearance, hair, or even mystery.
12. Roșu – Red
A fiery trait. Possibly linked to hair or complexion.
13. Ursu – Bear
Symbol of strength. Nature-based surnames like this run deep.
14. Lupu – Wolf
Common in Moldova. Ferocious, tribal, unforgettable.
15. Vulpe – Fox
Cunning, quiet, and sharp-eyed—just like the animal.
16. Albescu / Albu – White
Descriptive or symbolic—maybe purity, maybe snow.
17. Dragomir – Precious peace
From Slavic roots. Warrior heart with peaceful hands.
18. Petrescu – Son of Petre (Peter)
The rock. A surname of strength.
19. Ionescu – Son of Ion (John)
One of the most Romanian of names. Found in every county.
20. Dumitrescu – Son of Dumitru (Demetrius)
Saintly origins. Rooted in Orthodox tradition.
21. Vasilescu – Son of Vasile (Basil)
Widespread. Tied to rural and urban communities alike.
22. Iliescu – Son of Ilie (Elijah)
Biblical echoes in a name passed down generations.
23. Georgescu – Son of Gheorghe (George)
Slayer of dragons and taxes. Always respectable.
24. Popescu – Son of the priest
Most well-known. Common for a reason.
25. Amariei – Of Maria
A matronymic—rare, but used when mothers carried lineage.
26. Moldoveanu – From Moldova
Geographic surname with regional pride.
27. Olteanu – From Oltenia
Another regional tie. Said with pride in the south.
28. Tecuceanu – From Tecuci
Pinpoints a town. Names like this act as maps.
29. Rusu – The Russian
Ethnic origin. Sometimes linked to migration or minority roots.
30. Sârbu – The Serb
Ethnonymic. Still found in Moldova, Banat, and Serbia’s border areas.
31. Basarab – Father ruler
Royal blood. A name once feared and revered.
On Reddit, one Romanian wrote,
“I never knew my name, Croitoru, meant tailor. Now I feel like it’s stitched into me.”
17 Old Romanian Last Names That Still Echo Through History
Old Romanian last names are artifacts. They come from medieval courts, boyar households, and border villages. It was the place where surnames began as descriptors before becoming inherited legacies.
Here are 17 old Romanian surnames that have stood the test of time:
1. Basarab
Royal and feared. Founded Wallachia. Cuman in origin, meaning “father ruler.”
2. Cantacuzino
Of Greek-Byzantine roots. Nobility that shaped 17th-century Romania.
3. Movilă
From the ruling house of Moldavia. Movilă means “mound” or “hill.”
4. Brâncoveanu
A boyar name tied to Constantin Brâncoveanu, a martyr prince.
5. Știrbei
An aristocratic name, also linked to 19th-century reform and royalty.
6. Bogdan
One of the first voivodes of Moldavia. “God-given.”
7. Drăculea
Yes, as in Vlad the Impaler. Means “son of the dragon.” The source of Dracula lore.
8. Neagoe
From Neagoe Basarab. Ruler and patron of art. Quiet dignity in the name.
9. Vlaicu
Old Wallachian origin. Possibly tied to military roots.
10. Litovoi
A 13th-century chieftain. Rare, fierce, and deeply rooted in Dacian soil.
11. Mircea
Mircea the Elder—a name etched into Romanian resistance and pride.
12. Ștefan
As in Ștefan cel Mare, Moldova’s most beloved prince. “Stephen” in English.
13. Craioveanu
Noble origin. Tied to the historic city of Craiova.
14. Iancu
From Iancu de Hunedoara. A warrior name, Hungarian and Romanian in spirit.
15. Petru
Common, but tied to old voivodes like Petru Rareș.
16. Radu
Appeared in medieval chronicles. Noble, Slavic in root (“happy”).
17. Vladislav
Slavic-derived. Once royal. Now rare, but respected in genealogical circles.
11 Jewish Romanian Last Names and Their Unique Cultural Origins
Jewish Romanian last names often evolved through a blending of Hebrew, Yiddish, Slavic, and Romanian roots. Many of these were changed or lost during war and exile. But those that remain speak to a distinct cultural resilience.
Here are 11 Jewish Romanian surnames and the stories they carry:
1. Leibovici
Means “son of Leib” (Yiddish for “lion”). Common among Ashkenazi Jews in Romania. Found in both Moldova and southern Romania.
2. Itzkovitz
From “Itzchak” (Isaac) and a Slavic patronymic ending. Suggests Eastern European Jewish ancestry blended with Romanian Slavic roots.
3. Finkelstein
Yiddish-Germanic, meaning “spark stone” (flint). Often carried by Jews who migrated from Galicia or Bukovina into Romanian territories.
4. Mitrani
Toponymic—meaning “from Trani,” a town in Italy. Reflects a Sephardic lineage that traveled through the Balkans into Romania.
5. Batushansky
Refers to someone from Botoșani or Bătușani, a Jewish hub in Romania’s north. Rare and deeply regional.
6. Spirer
Means “to adorn” or “to twist” (like wire or jewelry). May indicate an ancestor who was a silversmith or jeweler.
7. Geller
Common in Bessarabia and Moldavia. Meaning debated—some say “yellow” (hair or complexion), others link it to gold workers.
8. Zissu
Likely Romanianized. May come from the Hebrew “Zisa,” meaning “sweet” or “pleasant.” Known in literary and religious circles.
9. Schechter
Means “slaughterer” in Yiddish—often used for ritual kosher butchers. Found among observant Jewish families.
10. Bercovici
From “Berko” (diminutive of Ber, “bear”) + Slavic patronymic. Popular in Jewish communities in Iași and Galați.
11. Schwartz
Meaning “black” in German. Widespread across Europe, but many Jews in Transylvania and Banat adopted it during Habsburg rule.
A 2022 study by De Gruyter notes that Romania had over 28,000 distinct Jewish surnames before WWII. After emigration and Holocaust losses, many became scattered or extinct.
On Quora, one Romanian user wrote,
“My grandmother’s last name was Itzkovitz. She never explained what it meant—now I know it meant Isaac’s son.”
Related Article: Jewish Last Names: 51 Powerful Picks & Their Deep Meanings
Popular Romanian Last Names Around the World (with Diaspora Stats)
Popular Romanian last names are rooted in the Carpathians. From Chicago to Tel Aviv, Toronto to Madrid, Romanian surnames have crossed oceans and borders with seekers of new lives. Some names stayed intact. Others bent to fit foreign tongues.
Here’s a look at where these names have landed, and how they’ve grown.
Diaspora Stats & Global Reach
According to Forebears, there are over 153,000 unique surnames in Romania. Among these, several have become globally recognized, especially in diaspora-heavy countries:
- Popescu: Appears in over 95 countries. In the U.S., it climbed from rank #24,892 (2000) to #19,976 (2010); a 43% rise in bearers.
- Popa: Seen in Canada, Spain, and Germany. Often mispronounced as “poe-pa,” but still signals Romanian origin.
- Ciobanu: Common in UK and Italy among post-1990 migrants.
- Rusu and Petrescu: Widespread in Moldova, Israel, and Ukraine—especially among Jewish-Romanian emigrants.
Romanian Surnames by Region Abroad
- United States: Popescu, Ionescu, Dobre, and Stoica are rising.
- Canada: Names like Munteanu, Lupu, and Barbu show up in Toronto and Montreal directories.
- Germany & Austria: Many Romanians retain full surnames, including -escu suffixes.
- Israel: Jewish Romanian names like Leibovici and Mitrani are common in Tel Aviv and Haifa.
- Italy & Spain: Croitoru and Radu are widespread among migrant workers.
Rare Romanian Last Names: 19 Gems You’ve Probably Never Heard Before
Not all Romanian surnames are carved into stone plaques. Some are fragile, fading, and full of mystery. These rare Romanian last names are less likely to appear in records but more likely to spark questions. They carry unique meanings, unusual sounds, or vanished professions.
Here are 19 rare Romanian surnames, each with its own twist:
1. Dalca – Lightning
Striking and fast. Possibly a nickname that stuck.
2. Hagiu – Pilgrim
Derived from “haj,” a person who’s traveled to a sacred place.
3. Șindrilaru – Shingle-maker
One who made roofing shingles. A nearly extinct trade.
4. Cazacu – Cossack
Ethnonymic. Possibly from ancestors who served in frontier militias.
5. Greblă – Rake
Likely from a tool used in farming. Rare, rustic, and regional.
6. Strungaru – Lathe operator
Old mechanical trade. Name tied to craftsmanship.
7. Lăcustă – Locust
Unusual, possibly metaphorical. Evokes nature and unpredictability.
8. Cărbunaru – Coalman
Someone who sold or worked with coal. Now uncommon.
9. Izbășoiu – Little defender
Diminutive of izbăș, meaning guard or protector. Wallachian roots.
10. Țandără – Splinter
Odd, sharp, and symbolic. May have begun as a nickname.
11. Velicu – Possibly from “vel” (noble, great)
Rare but regal. Might hint at social rank.
12. Țuțuianu – Regional surname
Found in specific villages. Pattern of –eanu (from a place).
13. Zamfir – From Samphire (herb) or Arabic roots
Old Romanian with possible Balkan or Turkish influence.
14. Șoptelea – Whisperer
Almost poetic. A soft-sounding, ultra-rare name.
15. Gruiță – Hillock
Diminutive form of “hill.” May reflect a village origin.
16. Frunză – Leaf
Nature-based. Simple, quiet, evocative.
17. Luminari – Of the light
May be derived from religious texts or metaphors.
18. Columbeanu – From dove
Peaceful, symbolic. Could be tied to spiritual roots.
19. Țăranu – Peasant
Literal and once widespread, now rarely carried with pride.
On genealogy forums, one user shared:
“We discovered our great-grandfather’s surname was Cărbunaru. Nobody in the family knew what it meant until we traced his job as a coal trader.”
Romanian Last Names for Females: 15 Feminine Forms and Traditions
Romanian last names for females don’t typically differ in form from male names today. But tradition tells a deeper story. In modern Romania, surnames are gender-neutral. In Romania, women usually keep the same surname structure as men. Still some matronymic traces give us a glimpse into a time when names subtly marked femininity.
Here are 15 Romanian last names female in form, history, or usage:
1. Muma – The mother
Used poetically or regionally. Rare today but once a respectful title.
2. Amariei – Of Maria
Matronymic. Formed when the mother’s name became the identifier.
3. Aanei – Of Ana
Another matronymic, typically seen in 18th–19th century records.
4. Preoteasa – The priest’s wife
From preot (priest). Denotes both role and gender.
5. Doamna – Lady or wife of a noble
More of a title, but occasionally fixed as a surname.
6. Mariaș – Derived from Maria
Found in Transylvania. Feminine echo of a revered name.
7. Mărgărit – Pearl
Unisex, but in some regions, linked to female ancestry.
8. Domnica – Feminized from Domn
Rare surname, may come from female first name used as last.
9. Crăița – Little queen or princess
Used as a nickname-turned-surname in northern villages.
10. Lenuța – Diminutive of Elena
Sometimes preserved as surnames or patronymic lineage.
11. Florica – Little flower
Diminutive. Used symbolically in families with floral themes.
12. Roata – Wheel
Unusual, but seen as a surname for widowed female heads of household in rural documents.
13. Țăranca – Peasant woman
Descriptive and rarely retained, but historically used.
14. Cătălina – Female form of Cătălin
In matrilineal cases, found as a family surname.
15. Ilinca – Feminine of Ilie
Sometimes passed down if a mother was especially prominent.
A user on a Romanian genealogy forum said:
“My great-grandmother had the last name Aanei. At first, we thought it was a typo. Turns out she was raised by her mother alone.”
Romanian Last Names for Males: 17 Strong, Traditional Choices
Here are 17 strong Romanian male surnames that have stood tall across generations:
1. Ionescu – Son of Ion (John)
The blueprint of Romanian patronymics. Widespread, respected, enduring.
2. Dumitrescu – Son of Dumitru
Traditional and saintly. Signals Orthodox heritage.
3. Petrescu – Son of Petre (Peter)
Sturdy and biblical. Common across regions.
4. Vasilescu – Son of Vasile (Basil)
Popular among urban tradesmen and professionals.
5. Iliescu – Son of Ilie (Elijah)
Spiritual and grounded. Often found in Moldova.
6. Georgescu – Son of Gheorghe (George)
A name with historic and heroic weight.
7. Constantinescu – Son of Constantin
Long, formal, noble. Carries both power and grace.
8. Rădulescu – Son of Radu
A softer touch. Radu means “happy” or “joyful.”
9. Tudorescu – Son of Tudor
Tied to reformers and revolutionaries.
10. Barbu – Bearded one
Descriptive and masculine. Feels old and proud.
11. Grigorescu – Son of Grigore (Gregory)
Linked to painters and cultural icons.
12. Marinescu – Son of Marin (of the sea)
Calm but commanding. Often used in coastal regions.
13. Alexandrescu – Son of Alexandru
Regal and widespread. Tied to nobility and tradition.
14. Stănescu – Son of Stan
Common among farmers and tradespeople.
15. Bogdan – God-given
Old Slavic. Still popular and symbolic.
16. Voinea – Possibly from “voinic,” meaning strong
Short, direct, powerful. A name that means business.
17. Drăgan – Derived from “precious” or “beloved”
Feels noble yet familiar. Tied to regional pride.
In Romanian culture, the -escu suffix has long marked male lineage. A user on Reddit once joked,
“If your name ends in –escu, there’s a 90% chance your great-grandfather was Ion.”
Romanian Last Names by Letter: 25 From B, C, D, M, P, and S
Alphabet matters in names. These Romanian last names starting with B, C, D, M, P, and S reveal regional flavors, ancient trades, and personal traits. Some are noble while others are humble.
Romanian Last Names Starting with B
- Barbu – Bearded one. Masculine, descriptive.
- Bălan – Blond. Light hair or complexion.
- Bibescu – Noble Wallachian family. Still tied to aristocracy.
- Bucur – Joy or happiness. Inspired the name of Bucharest.
- Basarab – Royal. Founders of Wallachia.
- Bordeianu – From the village of Bordei or border areas.
Romanian Last Names Starting with C
- Ciobanu – Shepherd. Common, pastoral, respected.
- Cojocaru – Furrier. Winter-bound craft.
- Croitoru – Tailor. Precise and traditional.
- Coman – Possible Cuman origin. Old and mysterious.
- Cristea – From Cristian. Religious and widespread.
- Călugăru – From călugăr, meaning monk.
Romanian Last Names Starting with D
- Dumitrescu – Son of Dumitru. Orthodox roots.
- Dobre – Good or kind. Soft but strong.
- Drăgan – Precious or beloved. Slavic influence.
- Dobrescu – From Dobre. Refined, historic.
- Dănilă – From Daniel. Often used in Moldavia.
- Dascălu – Teacher or mentor. Once a respected village figure.
Romanian Last Names Starting with M
- Marin – Of the sea. Calm and poetic.
- Matei – From Matthew. Biblical and common.
- Mihai – From Michael. Heroic and familiar.
- Munteanu – From the mountains. Geographic and strong.
- Moldoveanu – From Moldova. Regional pride.
- Moraru – Miller. Once central to village life.
Romanian Last Names Starting with P
- Popa – Priest. Most common surname in Romania.
- Popescu – Son of the priest. Iconic, rooted.
- Petrescu – Son of Petre. Widely respected.
- Pavel – From Paul. Biblical and strong.
- Păun – Peacock. Symbolic, slightly rare.
- Pătrașcu – Old name with noble roots.
Romanian Last Names Starting with S
- Stoica – Possibly from Stoian. Strong and popular.
- Stan – Short, traditional, masculine.
- Sârbu – The Serb. Ethnic and historical.
- Stanciu – From Stan. A respected variant.
- Solomon – Hebrew origin. Found in Jewish Romanian circles.
- Ștefan – From Stephen. Royal and revered.
These names are shorthand for legacy. As one user said on Quora,
“My last name is Pătrașcu. It doesn’t just start with P—it starts with my people.”
7 Royal Romanian Last Names (Nobility, Dynasties, and Power)
Royal Romanian last names weren’t just family names; they were banners, bloodlines, and borders. These surnames trace back to noble houses, medieval voivodes, and dynasties that shaped a nation.
Here are 7 royal Romanian last names, rich with authority and legacy:
1. Basarab
Founders of Wallachia in the 14th century. Likely of Cuman origin, meaning “father ruler.” Tied to Vlad the Impaler’s bloodline.
2. Drăculea
Son of Vlad Dracul. Drăculea means “son of the dragon.” Beyond Dracula, the name signals nobility and fearsome power.
3. Brâncoveanu
From Prince Constantin Brâncoveanu. A patron of arts, culture, and Orthodoxy. Martyred for faith.
4. Cantacuzino
Greek-Byzantine origin. Entered Romanian nobility in the 17th century. Known for wealth, politics, and diplomacy.
5. Movilă
Ruled Moldavia and Wallachia at various points. The name means “hill,” but the legacy runs deep.
6. Știrbei
Wallachian boyar lineage. Reformers and landowners, still recognized in Romanian aristocratic circles.
7. Bibescu
A princely family active in the 19th century. Blended politics, art, and diplomacy. Elegant, refined, and influential.
One historian on Reddit wrote,
“The name Basarab doesn’t just mean power—it meant survival. They carved a kingdom out of a crossroad of empires.”
Full Romanian Last Names List: A–Z With Origins and Meanings
If you’re searching for a Romanian last names list, this is where to start. Below is a curated A–Z collection of real Romanian surnames. Each with its origin, category (like patronymic or occupational), and cultural flavor.
Here’s a compact A–Z guide of Romanian last names with meanings:
A
- Albu – “White.” Possibly skin or hair color.
- Ardelean – From Transylvania (Ardeal). Regional pride.
B
- Barbu – “Bearded.” Descriptive, old.
- Bălan – “Blond.” Based on hair color.
C
- Ciobanu – “Shepherd.” One of the most rural occupational names.
- Cojocaru – “Furrier.” Trade-based.
D
- Dumitrescu – “Son of Dumitru.” Orthodox saint’s name.
- Dobre – “Good.” Reflects moral or social character.
E
- Enache – Derived from “Ioan” (John). Sometimes viewed as archaic.
F
- Florea – “Flower.” Light, poetic, sometimes given name turned surname.
- Fieraru – “Smith.” Classic metalworker name.
G
- Gheorghe – From “George.” Religious and common.
- Grigorescu – “Son of Grigore.” Strong cultural lineage.
H
- Hagiu – “Pilgrim.” Possibly linked to religious travel.
I
- Ionescu – “Son of Ion (John).” Standard Romanian patronymic.
- Iliescu – “Son of Ilie (Elijah).”
J
- Jianu – Possibly from jian, meaning brave warrior.
L
- Lupu – “Wolf.” Animal-based, regional strength.
- Lăcustă – “Locust.” Nature-based, very rare.
M
- Marin – “Of the sea.” Calm and poetic.
- Munteanu – “From the mountains.” Geographic.
N
- Negru – “Black.” Possibly complexion, nickname, or metaphorical.
- Nistor – Latin origin. Appears in early documents.
O
- Oprea – From a opri, “to stop.” Possibly tied to law enforcement or border work.
P
- Popa – “Priest.” Still #1 in Romania.
- Popescu – “Son of the priest.” Most recognizable.
R
- Radu – “Happy.” Slavic root, ancient.
- Rusu – “Russian.” Ethnonymic.
S
- Stoica – Regional variant. Possibly linked to Stoian.
- Sârbu – “Serb.” Ethnic origin.
T
- Tudor – From the first name. Regal, revolutionary.
V
- Vasilescu – “Son of Vasile.” Still used widely.
- Voinea – Possibly from “voinic,” meaning strong.
Z
- Zamfir – Possibly from samphire or Turkish roots. Rare, melodic.
Wrap Up
In a world where identities blur and roots feel distant, Romanian last names hit differently. They remind us who we are and where we came from. They’re time-stamped, place-bound, and pulsing with the lives that wore them first. So the next time you see -escu or -eanu, don’t just read it. Hear it. Feel it.
