Ancient Roman Last Names: A Comprehensive Guide

Discover the fascinating world of ancient Roman last names, also known as "cognomina." These names, often derived from personal characteristics, family history, or geographical origin, offer a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Roman society. This comprehensive guide explores the meanings behind these unique and evocative names, providing a deeper understanding of Roman culture and identity.
1. **Aelius:** Relating to the Aelii gens, a patrician family of ancient Rome, possibly derived from the Latin word "aelius," meaning "black" or "dark."
2. **Agrippa:** "Born in the field" or "strong," referring to the god of agriculture, Mars.
3. **Albinus:** "White" or "blond," possibly referring to the person's hair color.
4. **Antonius:** "Priceless" or "invaluable," likely related to the Latin word "anton," meaning "precious."
5. **Aurelius:** "Golden" or "gilded," perhaps indicating the person's hair color or a golden complexion.
6. **Augustus:** "Majestic," "venerable," or "sacred," bestowed upon the Roman emperor Octavian as a title, later becoming a family name.
7. **Caius:** "Rejoice," "to be happy," a popular Roman given name, often shortened to Caius.
8. **Caesar:** "Long hair" or "hairy," a common Roman given name, later adopted as a title by Julius Caesar, becoming synonymous with Roman emperors.
9. **Calpurnius:** "From the place of the calves," likely referring to a geographical location.
10. **Camillus:** "Servant of the gods," possibly referring to a religious office or position.
11. **Catilina:** "Little dog," a name potentially associated with loyalty and faithfulness.
12. **Catullus:** "Little dog," possibly a nickname bestowed upon someone with a playful or spirited nature.
13. **Celsus:** "Elevated," "noble," or "high," possibly referring to someone of high stature or social rank.
14. **Cicero:** "Chickpea," a playful nickname, possibly referencing a person's stature or appearance.
15. **Claudius:** "Lame," "crippled," or "stumbling," likely a descriptive nickname, though it could also be a name of an ancient clan.
16. **Cornelius:** "Horned," potentially related to the mythical god Janus, who is depicted with horns.
17. **Crassus:** "Fat," "thick," or "plump," possibly a descriptive nickname, though it could also be related to the Roman word "crassus," meaning "rich."
18. **Curius:** "From Curium," a town in ancient Rome, indicating the family's geographical origin.
19. **Decimus:** "Tenth," possibly referring to the birth order of a child, or a name given to a child born on the tenth day of the month.
20. **Fabius:** "Bean grower," potentially referencing a family profession or occupation.
21. **Flaccus:** "Flaccid," possibly a nickname for a person with loose, hanging skin, or it could be a name of a specific family.
22. **Flavius:** "Yellowish," "blond," or "golden," likely referring to a person's hair color or complexion.
23. **Fulvius:** "Reddish," "brown," or "dark," possibly referring to a person's hair color or complexion.
24. **Gaius:** "Rejoice," "to be happy," a common Roman given name, often shortened to Gaius.
25. **Galba:** "Hawk," potentially a nickname for someone with a keen eye or sharp intellect.
26. **Germanicus:** "German," referring to a person of German origin, or an individual who fought or resided in Germania.
27. **Gracchus:** "Graceful," "elegant," or "refined," possibly a name given to someone with a pleasant demeanor or refined manners.
28. **Horatius:** "Hour," potentially a name given to a child born at a specific hour.
29. **Julius:** "Downy," "youthful," or "young," possibly a nickname given to someone with a youthful appearance or a soft, downy beard.
30. **Junia:** "Of Juno," a name potentially connected to the Roman goddess Juno, goddess of marriage, women, and childbirth.
31. **Livia:** "Olive," possibly a nickname referencing a person's olive complexion or a family occupation.
32. **Lucanus:** "From Lucania," a region in southern Italy, indicating the family's geographical origin.
33. **Lucius:** "Light," "bright," or "shining," possibly referring to a person's radiant personality or a joyful spirit.
34. **Macrinus:** "Lean," "thin," or "scrawny," possibly a descriptive nickname.
35. **Marcus:** "Dedicated to Mars," a name honoring the Roman god of war, Mars.
36. **Marius:** "Male," "manly," or "masculine," possibly referring to a person's strong character or masculine traits.
37. **Maximus:** "Greatest," "largest," or "most powerful," a name potentially bestowed upon a person of great stature, strength, or influence.
38. **Messalla:** "Harvester," possibly referencing a family profession or occupation.
39. **Minucius:** "Small," "little," or "minor," possibly a nickname for a person of small stature.
40. **Nero:** "Strong," "vigorous," or "energetic," potentially referring to a person's physical strength or powerful personality.
41. **Octavius:** "Eighth," possibly referring to the birth order of a child, or a name given to a child born on the eighth day of the month.
42. **Pompeius:** "Pompey," a name of uncertain origin, possibly related to the Latin word "pompa," meaning "pomp" or "ceremony."
43. **Publius:** "Public," potentially referring to a person who served in public office or held a prominent social position.
44. **Quintilius:** "Fifth," possibly referencing the birth order of a child, or a name given to a child born on the fifth day of the month.
45. **Scipio:** "Staff," "wand," or "cane," possibly referencing a family profession or a symbol of authority.
46. **Sempronius:** "Sown," "planted," or "cultivated," possibly referencing a family profession or occupation.
47. **Seneca:** "Old man," possibly a nickname referencing a person's age or wisdom.
48. **Servius:** "To serve," "to protect," or "to preserve," potentially referring to a person's service to the Roman state.
49. **Sextus:** "Sixth," possibly referencing the birth order of a child, or a name given to a child born on the sixth day of the month.
50. **Silanus:** "Forest," "wood," or "grove," possibly referencing a family's geographical origin or a location near a forest.
51. **Tiberius:** "Son of Tiber," a name referencing the Tiber River, a significant waterway in Rome.
52. **Titus:** "Guardian," "protector," or "defending," potentially referencing a person's role as a protector or defender of Rome.
53. **Tullius:** "From Tullii," a name potentially referencing a family's geographical origin or a clan name.
54. **Valerius:** "Strong," "brave," or "healthy," possibly referencing a person's physical strength or robust health.
55. **Varro:** "Warthog," possibly a nickname for a person with a large, strong physique.
56. **Verginius:** "Pure," "chaste," or "virginal," potentially referencing a family's lineage or a person's moral character.
57. **Vespasianus:** "Wasp," possibly a nickname for a person with a sharp, stinging personality.
58. **Vibius:** "Live," "to live," or "to thrive," potentially referencing a person's vitality or longevity.
59. **Vindex:** "Avenger," "defender," or "protector," potentially referencing a person's role as a protector or defender of Rome.
60. **Vinius:** "Vine," "wine," or "vineyard," potentially referencing a family profession or occupation.
61. **Virgilius:** "From Virgil," possibly referencing a family's geographical origin or a clan name.
62. **Virius:** "Man," "male," or "masculine," potentially referencing a person's strength or masculinity.