75+ Romanian Last Names & Their Historic Origins

First names may get all of the attention and glory when it comes to baby names, but it’s a surname that can tell a story about a person’s history when it comes right down to it. It’s a significant indicator of a person’s origin and is an essential part of their identity — which is understandably why some women choose not to change their name after marriage. If you’ve ever done a deep dive into your last name and discovered some interesting facts along the way, you may be hungry for more details. Each culture comes with its rich history and naming traditions and may leave you asking some questions. Like, why do Russian last names follow a patronymic convention, how many different peoples do Mexican last names represent, and what are the deeper meanings of the most popular Korean surnames?

Take Romanian last names, for example. They have a fascinating history and contain many surnames with Slavic origins — names you may have heard before. Did you know many notable American writers, scientists, and even celebrities have Romanian roots? Hollywood greats like Winona Ryder, Natalie Portman, and Lauren Bacall also have Romanian roots. Marvel fans may be surprised to learn that a certain bad boy turned superhero falls into that category. Sebastian Stan, who is best known for playing Bucky Barnes, aka the one and only Winter Soldier, was born in Constanta, located in Romania’s southeastern part.

But those are just a few examples of Romania’s rich ancestral lineage. There are a lot of popular Romanian surnames that you may recognize — and even if you don’t, well, it’s still fun to learn about nonetheless, right?

We rounded up the most common Romanian last names and their meanings, but, as you can imagine, the list of names could go on and on. Some are more common than others, but they all have a story to tell and may very well help you to better appreciate your last name, along with its unique and special origins. It’s a big part of what makes you, you. And that is something worth appreciating.

Common Romanian Last Names

1. Albescu

Meaning: White.

2. Albu

Meaning: White (derived from the word “alb”).

3. Aldea

Meaning: Village.

4. Andrei

Meaning: Romanian iteration of the name Andrew.

5. Ardelean

Meaning: The Romanian term for the region of Transylvania.

6. Baciu

Meaning: Shepard.

7. Balan

Meaning: Blonde; a town in Romania.

8. Barbaneagra

Meaning: Black beard.

9. Barbu

Meaning: Bushy beard.

10. Bogdan

Meaning: God-given, or gift of God.

11. Botezatu

Meaning: Baptized.

12. Bucur

Meaning: Happiness, delight, or joy.

13. Camelia

Meaning: A type of flower.

14. Cazacu

Meaning: Someone who lives along the river Cazacu.

15. Cel Tradat

Meaning: The betrayed one.

16. Ciobanu

Meaning: Occupational name for a shepherd.

17. Codrin

Meaning: The woods.

18. Cojocaru

Meaning: Sheepskin.

19. Craioveanue

Meaning: Someone from the Romanian city Craiova.

20. Creţu

Meaning: Curly.

21. Cristian

Meaning: This is the Romanian word for the name Christian, which means “a Christian.”

22. Dalca

Meaning: Lightning.

23. Darius

Meaning: Possessing goodness.

24. Dascălu

Meaning: Teacher, schoolmaster.

25. Erner

Meaning: Serbian.

26. Fieraru

Meaning: Smith, an occupational name for blacksmiths, goldsmiths, etc.

27. Fischer

Meaning: Fisherman (in German).

28. Floarea

Meaning: Flower.

29. Funar

Meaning: Ropemaker.

30. Grigorescu

Meaning: Son of Grigore.

31. Gheata

Meaning: Ice.

32. Grosu

Meaning: Thick, coarse, or bulky.

33. Hatmanu

Meaning: This is an occupational last name that means General.

34. Hofer

Meaning: Steward.

35. Iliescu

Meaning: Son of Ilie.

36. Ionescu

Meaning: Son of Ion.

37. Iordanescu

Meaning: “Jordan’s son.”

38. Ioveanu

Meaning: Son of Ivan.

39. Laurentiu

Meaning: From Laurentum

40. Lazarescu

Meaning: Son of Lazar.

41. Luca

Meaning: Luke.

42. Luminița

Meaning: Light or faint light.

43. Lupu

Meaning: Wolf.

44. Maier/Mayer

Meaning: Farmer.

45. Marcu

Meaning: Marcus.

46. Matei

Meaning: Matthew or a gift.

47. Mitrea

Meaning: Administrator.

48. Muller

Meaning: Miller.

49. Nectaria

Meaning: Nectar.

50. Net

Meaning: Superior.

51. Nicolae/Niculaie

Meaning: Nicholas or victory of the people.

52. Nicolescu

Meaning: Son of Nicolae.

53. Olarescu

Meaning: Son of Olaru.

54. Popa

Meaning: Priest or pastor.

55. Pichler

Meaning: People who live near a hill.

56. Radu

Meaning: Happy.

57. Roşu

Meaning: Red.

58. Sandu

Meaning: Defender of humanity.

59. Sebastian

Meaning: A common surname and also the last name of a famous saint. It means venerable.

60. Stefan

Meaning: Stephen.

61. Suta

Meaning: Left-handed.

62. Tarniceriu

Meaning: Saddler.

63. Ungureanu

Meaning: Hungarian.

64. Vaduva

Meaning: Widow.

65. Vulpe

Meaning: Fox.

66. Weber

Meaning: Weaver or stems from German origins.

67. Zamfir

Meaning: Sapphire, which is the name for a jeweler.

68. Zugravescu

Meaning: Portray or depict.

Romanian Vampire Last Names

Did you know Dracula is from Transylvania, which is in Romania? These surnames below could have very well been his last name! So, if you’re looking for a Romanian last name with a spooky and immortal ring to it, try these vampire-inspired surnames.

1. Acheron

Meaning: River of woe or sorrow.

2. Ambrosia

Meaning: Immortal.

3. Aldonold

Meaning: Friend.

4. Alnwick

Meaning: Dairy farm.

5. Arnold

Meaning: Eagle.

6. Athanasia

Meaning: Immortal.

7. Bancroft

Meaning: Dweller by the bean field.

8. Bathory

Meaning: “Son of.”

9. Celeste

Meaning: Heavenly.

10. Crimson

Meaning: Dark red color.