Latin Last Names: A Guide to Origins and Meanings

Latin last names, also known as cognomen, have a rich history and are found throughout the world. These names often reflect ancient Roman culture, values, and beliefs. Whether you're researching your family history or simply seeking inspiration for a unique and meaningful name, exploring the origins and meanings of Latin last names can be a fascinating journey. This list provides a comprehensive guide to some of the most common and intriguing Latin last names, offering insights into their etymology and cultural significance.
1. **Agustus:** Derived from the Latin word "augustus," meaning "venerable" or "sacred." It was a title given to the Roman Emperor Octavian after his victory over Marc Antony and Cleopatra.
2. **Aemilius:** Of noble origin, meaning "rival" or "emulator." This name was associated with the prestigious Aemilia gens, a prominent Roman family.
3. **Aelius:** From the Latin word "aelus," meaning "strong" or "powerful." This name was frequently used by Roman emperors and was associated with strength and leadership.
4. **Aeneas:** A hero of Roman mythology, known for his bravery and piety. His name is derived from the Greek word "Aineias," meaning "praiseworthy."
5. **Albinus:** Meaning "white" or "fair." This name may have originally referred to someone with fair skin or hair.
6. **Albus:** A Latin word meaning "white" or "bright." This name was often used as a personal name and could also be used as a descriptive term for someone with fair skin.
7. **Alexander:** A popular name of Greek origin, meaning "defender of men." The Latin form, "Alexander," was widely used in Roman times.
8. **Antonius:** From the Latin word "Antonius," meaning "priceless" or "invaluable." This name was associated with the Roman family of the same name, which included the famous Roman orator, Marcus Antonius.
9. **Aurelius:** Meaning "golden" or "gilded." This name was often used as a personal name, but it could also be used as a title for a Roman emperor.
10. **Augustinus:** Meaning "venerable" or "sacred." This name is a Latinized form of "Augustus" and was a popular name during the Roman Empire.
11. **Caesar:** Meaning "hairy" or "long-haired." This name was originally a Roman family name, but it became synonymous with the title of Emperor.
12. **Cassius:** From the Latin word "Cassius," meaning "hollow" or "empty." This name was associated with the Roman family of the same name, which included the famous Roman general, Gaius Cassius Longinus.
13. **Cornelius:** Meaning "horned" or "having horns." This name was associated with the Roman family of the same name, which included the famous Roman general, Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus.
14. **Decimus:** Meaning "tenth." This name was given to the tenth child in a family.
15. **Domitius:** From the Latin word "domitus," meaning "tamed" or "subdued." This name was associated with the Roman family of the same name, which included the famous Roman emperor, Domitian.
16. **Fabius:** Meaning "bean" or "bean grower." This name was associated with the Roman family of the same name, which included the famous Roman general, Quintus Fabius Maximus Verrucosus.
17. **Flavius:** Meaning "golden" or "yellow." This name was associated with the Roman family of the same name, which included the famous Roman emperors, Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian.
18. **Gaius:** Meaning "joy" or "rejoice." This name was a common personal name in Roman times.
19. **Geminus:** Meaning "twin." This name was given to one of a pair of twins.
20. **Gracchus:** Meaning "slim" or "thin." This name was associated with the Roman family of the same name, which included the famous Roman tribunes, Tiberius Gracchus and Gaius Gracchus.
21. **Hadrianus:** From the Latin word "Hadrianus," meaning "from Hadria." This name was associated with the Roman emperor, Hadrian.
22. **Horatius:** Meaning "from Horace." This name was associated with the Roman family of the same name, which included the famous Roman poet, Quintus Horatius Flaccus.
23. **Julius:** Meaning "youthful" or "downy-bearded." This name was associated with the Roman family of the same name, which included the famous Roman general, Julius Caesar.
24. **Junius:** From the Latin word "Junius," meaning "young" or "youthful." This name was associated with the Roman family of the same name, which included the famous Roman general, Lucius Junius Brutus.
25. **Lucius:** Meaning "light" or "bright." This name was a common personal name in Roman times.
26. **Marcus:** Meaning "warlike" or "devoted to Mars." This name was a common personal name in Roman times.
27. **Marius:** From the Latin word "Marius," meaning "from Mars." This name was associated with the Roman general, Gaius Marius.
28. **Maximus:** Meaning "greatest" or "largest." This name was often used as a personal name, but it could also be used as a title for a Roman emperor.
29. **Nero:** From the Latin word "Nero," meaning "strong" or "vigorous." This name was associated with the Roman emperor, Nero.
30. **Octavius:** From the Latin word "Octavius," meaning "eighth." This name was given to the eighth child in a family.
31. **Paetus:** Meaning "open" or "wide." This name could have been given to someone with a wide mouth or a large stature.
32. **Paulus:** Meaning "small" or "humble." This name was a common personal name in Roman times.
33. **Pius:** Meaning "pious" or "dutiful." This name was associated with the Roman emperor, Pius.
34. **Pompeius:** From the Latin word "Pompeius," meaning "from Pompeia." This name was associated with the Roman general, Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus.
35. **Quintus:** Meaning "fifth." This name was given to the fifth child in a family.
36. **Rufus:** Meaning "reddish" or "red-haired." This name was often used as a personal name, but it could also be used as a descriptive term for someone with red hair.
37. **Scipio:** Meaning "stick" or "walking stick." This name was associated with the Roman family of the same name, which included the famous Roman general, Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus.
38. **Seneca:** Meaning "old" or "aged." This name was associated with the Roman philosopher and statesman, Lucius Annaeus Seneca.
39. **Septimius:** From the Latin word "Septimius," meaning "seventh." This name was given to the seventh child in a family.
40. **Tiberius:** From the Latin word "Tiberius," meaning "belonging to the Tiber." This name was associated with the Roman emperor, Tiberius.
41. **Valerius:** Meaning "strong" or "healthy." This name was associated with the Roman family of the same name, which included the famous Roman general, Publius Valerius Publicola.
42. **Varus:** Meaning "bent" or "crooked." This name was associated with the Roman general, Publius Quinctilius Varus.
43. **Vettius:** From the Latin word "Vettius," meaning "calf." This name was associated with the Roman family of the same name, which included the famous Roman senator, Quintus Vettius.
44. **Victor:** Meaning "conqueror" or "victorious." This name was often used as a personal name, but it could also be used as a title for a Roman emperor.
45. **Virgil:** From the Latin word "Virgil," meaning "from the farm of the Virgilii." This name was associated with the famous Roman poet, Publius Vergilius Maro.
46. **Vitellius:** From the Latin word "Vitellius," meaning "calf." This name was associated with the Roman emperor, Vitellius.
47. **Vopiscus:** Meaning "little wolf." This name was associated with the Roman family of the same name, which included the famous Roman senator, Gaius Vopiscus.
48. **Augustine:** Meaning "venerable" or "sacred." This name is a Latinized form of "Augustus" and was a popular name during the Roman Empire.
49. **Cassius:** Meaning "hollow" or "empty." This name was associated with the Roman family of the same name, which included the famous Roman general, Gaius Cassius Longinus.
50. **Cornelius:** Meaning "horned" or "having horns." This name was associated with the Roman family of the same name, which included the famous Roman general, Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus.