Romanian Family Names: A Look at Common Surnames

Looking for Romanian family names? This list explores some of the most common surnames found in Romania, offering insights into their origins and meanings. These names, often rooted in history and tradition, reflect the rich cultural tapestry of the Romanian people.
1. Popescu: This surname, meaning "son of Pop", is one of the most common in Romania. It derives from the given name "Pop", a popular name of Slavic origin, signifying "priest" or "cleric".

2. Ionescu: Another very common Romanian surname, meaning "son of Ion", is derived from the given name "Ion", the Romanian equivalent of "John". It's a widespread surname that can be found in many regions of the country.

3. Georgescu: This surname signifies "son of Gheorghe", the Romanian form of "George". It's a popular surname across Romania, reflecting the prominence of the given name "Gheorghe" throughout history.

4. Dumitrescu: This surname, meaning "son of Dumitru", is derived from the given name "Dumitru", a Romanian variant of "Demetrius", a Greek name associated with the goddess Demeter.

5. Vasile: This surname, meaning "son of Vasile", originates from the given name "Vasile", the Romanian form of "Basil", a Greek name that signifies "king" or "royal".

6. Constantin: This surname, meaning "son of Constantin", is derived from the given name "Constantin", the Romanian equivalent of "Constantine". It's a surname with strong historical and religious connotations.

7. Niculescu: This surname, meaning "son of Nicolae", is derived from the given name "Nicolae", the Romanian equivalent of "Nicholas". It's a common surname throughout Romania, reflecting the popularity of the given name "Nicolae".

8. Petrescu: This surname, meaning "son of Petru", originates from the given name "Petru", the Romanian form of "Peter", an apostle in the New Testament.

9. Matei: This surname, meaning "son of Matei", is derived from the given name "Matei", the Romanian equivalent of "Matthew", an apostle in the New Testament.

10. Andrei: This surname, meaning "son of Andrei", originates from the given name "Andrei", the Romanian form of "Andrew", an apostle in the New Testament.

11. Marinescu: This surname signifies "son of Marin", derived from the given name "Marin", the Romanian equivalent of "Marinus", a Latin name that signifies "of the sea".

12. Radu: This surname, meaning "son of Radu", originates from the given name "Radu", a Romanian name of Germanic origin, signifying "counsel" or "advice".

13. Mihai: This surname, meaning "son of Mihai", is derived from the given name "Mihai", the Romanian equivalent of "Michael", an archangel in the Bible.

14. Vlad: This surname, meaning "son of Vlad", originates from the given name "Vlad", a Romanian form of "Vladimir", a Slavic name signifying "ruling the world".

15. Alexandru: This surname, meaning "son of Alexandru", is derived from the given name "Alexandru", the Romanian equivalent of "Alexander", a Greek name meaning "defender of mankind".

16. Gheorghe: This surname, meaning "son of Gheorghe", originates from the given name "Gheorghe", the Romanian form of "George", a Greek name meaning "farmer".

17. Ioan: This surname, meaning "son of Ioan", is derived from the given name "Ioan", the Romanian equivalent of "John". It's a common surname found in many regions of Romania.

18. Stefan: This surname, meaning "son of Stefan", is derived from the given name "Stefan", the Romanian equivalent of "Stephen", a Greek name meaning "crown".

19. Dan: This surname, meaning "son of Dan", originates from the given name "Dan", a Hebrew name signifying "judge" or "God is my judge".

20. Mircea: This surname, meaning "son of Mircea", is derived from the given name "Mircea", a Romanian name of Slavic origin, signifying "peace" or "tranquility".

21. Cosmin: This surname, meaning "son of Cosmin", is derived from the given name "Cosmin", a Romanian name of Latin origin, signifying "ordered" or "organized".

22. Cristian: This surname, meaning "son of Cristian", is derived from the given name "Cristian", the Romanian equivalent of "Christian".

23. Adrian: This surname, meaning "son of Adrian", originates from the given name "Adrian", a Latin name signifying "from Hadria".

24. Ciprian: This surname, meaning "son of Ciprian", is derived from the given name "Ciprian", a Romanian form of "Cyprian", a Greek name signifying "from Cyprus".

25. Dragoș: This surname, meaning "son of Dragoș", originates from the given name "Dragoș", a Romanian name of Slavic origin, signifying "dear" or "beloved".

26. Cătălin: This surname, meaning "son of Cătălin", is derived from the given name "Cătălin", the Romanian equivalent of "Catherine".

27. Iulian: This surname, meaning "son of Iulian", is derived from the given name "Iulian", the Romanian equivalent of "Julian", a Latin name signifying "youthful".

28. Marius: This surname, meaning "son of Marius", originates from the given name "Marius", a Roman name signifying "son of Mars".

29. Sorin: This surname, meaning "son of Sorin", is derived from the given name "Sorin", a Romanian name of Slavic origin, signifying "bright" or "shining".

30. Florin: This surname, meaning "son of Florin", is derived from the given name "Florin", a Romanian form of "Florence", a Latin name signifying "blooming".

31. Gabriel: This surname, meaning "son of Gabriel", originates from the given name "Gabriel", a Hebrew name signifying "God is my strength".

32. Sergiu: This surname, meaning "son of Sergiu", is derived from the given name "Sergiu", the Romanian equivalent of "Serge", a Latin name signifying "servant".

33. Ovidiu: This surname, meaning "son of Ovidiu", originates from the given name "Ovidiu", a Romanian form of "Ovid", a Latin name signifying "sheep".

34. Paul: This surname, meaning "son of Paul", originates from the given name "Paul", a Latin name signifying "small".

35. Marcel: This surname, meaning "son of Marcel", originates from the given name "Marcel", a Latin name signifying "warlike".

36. Alexandru: This surname, meaning "son of Alexandru", is derived from the given name "Alexandru", the Romanian equivalent of "Alexander", a Greek name meaning "defender of mankind".

37. Andrei: This surname, meaning "son of Andrei", originates from the given name "Andrei", the Romanian form of "Andrew", an apostle in the New Testament.

38. Bogdan: This surname, meaning "son of Bogdan", is derived from the given name "Bogdan", a Slavic name signifying "given by God".

39. Emil: This surname, meaning "son of Emil", originates from the given name "Emil", a German name signifying "rival" or "industrious".

40. Romeo: This surname, meaning "son of Romeo", originates from the given name "Romeo", a Latin name signifying "pilgrim".

41. Ionut: This surname, meaning "son of Ionut", is derived from the given name "Ionut", a Romanian diminutive of "Ion".

42. Claudiu: This surname, meaning "son of Claudiu", originates from the given name "Claudiu", a Latin name signifying "lame".

43. Robert: This surname, meaning "son of Robert", originates from the given name "Robert", a German name signifying "bright fame".

44. Liviu: This surname, meaning "son of Liviu", originates from the given name "Liviu", a Romanian form of "Livy", a Latin name signifying "from Livy".

45. Valentin: This surname, meaning "son of Valentin", originates from the given name "Valentin", a Latin name signifying "strong and healthy".