Last names serve as vital links between a family’s history and its present. Greek surnames are especially rich, reflecting a nation with a deep historical tapestry and a culture that thrives through the ages. Many of these names hail from the time when Greek mythology was at its peak, while others reveal the dawn of Christianity in Greece. Some even trace their roots back to Hebrew origins.
We’ve curated a fascinating collection of Greek surnames that highlight different eras in the country’s journey. Dive into this list to uncover the meanings behind these names along with their Greek spellings.
1. Drakos
Greek spelling: Δράκων
Meaning: Dragon or ogre.
2. Georgiou
Greek spelling: Γεωργίου
Meaning: Spouse or relative of Georgios.
3. Papadopoulos
Greek spelling: Παπαδόπουλος
Meaning: Son of a priest.
4. Galanis
Greek spelling: Γαλανής
Meaning: A person with light blue eyes.
5. Lykaios
Greek spelling: Λιάκαιος
Meaning: Wolf.
6. Danielopoulos
Greek spelling: Δανιτόπουλος
Meaning: Son of Daniel.
7. Christodoulopoulos
Greek spelling: Χριστοδουλόπουλος
Meaning: Descendant of Christ’s servant.
8. Aetos
Greek spelling: Αετός
Meaning: Eagle.
9. Moustakas
Greek spelling: Μουστάκας
Meaning: Someone with a mustache.
10. Papadakis
Greek spelling: Παπαδάκης
Meaning: Father or priest, with the ‘akis’ suffix common in Crete.
11. Ioannou
Greek spelling: Ιωάννου
Meaning: Child of John.
12. Demetriou
Greek spelling: Δημητρίου
Meaning: Follower of Demeter, the goddess of fertility.
13. Bakirtzis
Greek spelling: Βακιρτζής
Meaning: Coppersmith.
14. Chloros
Greek spelling: Χλώρος
Meaning: Green.
15. Angelopoulos
Greek spelling: Αγγελόπουλος
Meaning: Son of the messenger or angel.
16. Iraklidis
Greek spelling: Ηρακλίδης
Meaning: Son of Hercules.
17. Papazoglou
Greek spelling: Παπάζογλου
Meaning: Priest’s son.
18. Doukas
Greek spelling: Δούκας
Meaning: Duke or lord.
19. Florakis
Greek spelling: Φλωράκης
Meaning: ‘Flor’ relates to a flower or blossom, with ‘akis’ indicating a diminutive.
20. Adamos
Greek spelling: Αδάμος
Meaning: Son of Adam.
21. Andino
Greek spelling: Αντίνο
Meaning: Manly.
22. Ariti
Greek spelling: Αρίτη
Meaning: Approachable, generous, and friendly.
23. Argyros
Greek spelling: Αργυρός
Meaning: Silvery.
24. Baros
Greek spelling: Μπάρος
Meaning: Happy, clay, or lucky.
25. Bouras
Greek spelling: Μπόρας
Meaning: A coarse, reddish-brown woolen cloth or someone in the wool trade.
26. Christoforou
Greek spelling: Χριστοφόρου
Meaning: One who bears Christ.
27. Condos
Greek spelling: Condos
Meaning: Short.
28. Cirillo
Greek spelling: Cirillo
Meaning: Lord or masterful.
29. Diakos
Greek spelling: Διάκος
Meaning: Deacon.
30. Diamandis
Greek spelling: Διαμαντής
Meaning: Diamonds.
31. Dougenis
Greek spelling: Ντουγκένης
Meaning: Slave or servant.
32. Drivas
Greek spelling: Δρίβες
Meaning: Tree.
33. Economos
Greek spelling: Οικονομός
Meaning: Steward.
34. Eliades
Greek spelling: Ηλιάδης
Meaning: Derived from the biblical name Elais.
35. Elias
Greek spelling: Elias
Meaning: Jehovah of God or Lord of God.
36. Eliopoulos
Greek spelling: Ελιόπουλος
Meaning: Nestling.
37. Filo
Greek spelling: Φίλο
Meaning: Friend of the horse.
38. Fotos
Greek spelling: Φωτο
Meaning: Light.
39. Frangopoulos
Greek spelling: Φραγκόπουλος
Meaning: Descendant of a Frank.
40. Gabris
Greek spelling: Γκάμπρης
Meaning: Originates from the name Gabriel.
41. Galatas
Greek spelling: Γαλατάς
Meaning: Someone from a family of milk sellers.
42. Gataki
Greek spelling: Γατάκι
Meaning: Kitten.
43. Halkias
Greek spelling: Χαλκιάς
Meaning: Coppersmith.
44. Hasapi
Greek spelling: Χασάπι
Meaning: Butcher.
45. Hondros
Greek spelling: Ονδρος
Meaning: Fat.
46. Iordanou
Greek spelling: Ιορδάνου
Meaning: Flow down or descend.
47. Kallis
Greek spelling: Κάλις
Meaning: Best.
48. Kappas
Greek spelling: Κάππας
Meaning: Large.
49. Nephus
Greek spelling: Νεφός
Meaning: Son of God who will eventually become God.
50. Nicolaides
Greek spelling: Νικολαΐδες
Meaning: Derived from Nicholas.
51. Nomikos
Greek spelling: Νομικός
Meaning: Related to law.
52. Onasis
Greek spelling: Ωνάση
Meaning: Lover.
53. Nanos
Greek spelling: Νάνος
Meaning: Dwarf.
54. Othonos
Greek spelling: Όθωνος
Meaning: Fortune or wealth.
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In summary, Greek surnames are not just identifiers; they carry the weight of history, culture, and family legacy. Each name tells a story, connecting the past with the present in a unique way.