100+ Common Romanian Surnames (with Meanings)

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Learn about the most popular surnames in Romania

Co-authored by Devin McSween

Last Updated: January 26, 2026 Fact Checked

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Common

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Descriptive

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Occupational

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Patronymic

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Surnames in Other Cultures

Romania is a European country known for its beautiful landscapes, medieval towns and castles, and rich culture (including the “birthplace” of Count Dracula). Romanian last names are also uniquely beautiful and culturally deep, typically coming from an ancestor’s first name, qualities, or occupation. In this article, we’ll go over the most common last names in Romania, as well as descriptive, occupational, and patronymic surnames. Keep reading to find out more!

The Most Common Names in Romania

Romanian last names are typically based on an ancestor’s first name, description (traits or place of origin), or occupation. Some of the most common surnames include Popescu (“priest’s son”), Albescu (“white”), Radu (“glad”), Ciobanu (“shepherd”), Ioveanu (“Ivan’s son”), and Ardelean (“from Ardeal”).

Section 1 of 5:

Most Common Romanian Last Names

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Romanian last names have several different origins: some are based on an ancestor’s (usually male) first name, occupation, personality trait, physical trait, or place of origin. Most surnames end in suffixes like -escu, -anu, -aru, -an, and -atu, which signify an attribution to an ancestor.^{[1]
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Research source} Some of the most common surnames in Romania are:
- Popa: “Priest.”
- Popescu: “Priest’s son.”
- Albescu: “White.”
- Albu: “White.”
- Radu: From the first name Radu, meaning “happy one” or “glad.”
- Dumitru: From the first name Dumitru, meaning “follower of Demeter.”
- Stan: From the first name Stanislav, meaning “one who achieves glory.”
- Andrei: From the first name Andrei, meaning “manly.”
- Bucur: “Joy.”
- Stoica: “Stoic.”
- Gheorghe: From the first name Gheorghe (George), meaning “farmer.”
- Matei: From the first name Matei (Matthew), meaning “gift of God.”
- Ciobanu: “Shepherd.”
- Ionescu: “Ion’s son.”
- Rusu: “Russian.”
- Ioveanu: “Son of Ivan.”
- Mitrea: From the first name Dumitru, meaning “follower of Demeter.”
- Nicolescu: “Nicolae’s son.”
- Luca: From the first name Lucas, meaning “bringer of light.”
- Ardelean: “From Ardeal,” also known as Transylvania.

Section 2 of 5:

Descriptive Romanian Last Names

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Many Romanian last names come from an ancestor’s description. This often includes physical qualities, personality traits, and geographic locations in which they grew up. Here are some common descriptive surnames:
- Balan: “Blonde.”
- Barbu: “Beard.”
- Boureanu: “Ox.”
- Coman: “Cuman,” referring to a Turkic ethnic group.
- Florea: “Flower.”
- Francu: “French person.”
- Grecu: “Greek.”
- Grosu: “Large” or “thick.”
- Hagi: “Holy” or “sacred.”
- Hategan: “From Hateg,” a town in Romania.
- Lepadatu: “Abandoned.”
- Lungu: “Long.”
- Lupu: “Wolf.”
- Macovei: “Poppy.”
- Moldovan: “From Moldova.”
- Munteanu: “Highlander” or “from the mountains.”
- Negru: “Black.”
- Olteanu: “From Oltenia.”
- Oprea: “Stop.”
- Roșu: “Red.”
- Serban: “A Serb.”
- Tecuceanu: “From Tecuci,” a city in Romania.
- Turcanu: “From Turkey.”
- Ungur: “Hungarian.”
- Ursu: “Bear.”
- Vaduva: “Widow.”
- Vernescu: “To bloom.”
- Voinea: “Brave” or “valiant.”
- Vulpe: “Fox.”

Section 3 of 5:

Occupational Romanian Last Names

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Lots of Romanian last names are derived from an ancestor’s occupation. These are often trades and jobs, but some names refer to roles in society. For example, check out these occupational surnames:
- Cojocaru: “Cojoc jacket maker” (a traditional sheepskin jacket).
- Croitoru: “Tailor.”
- Firea: “Smith.”
- Funar: “Rope maker.”
- Lemnaru: “Carpenter.”
- Mocanu: “Shepherd.”
- Moraru: “Miller.”
- Olaru: “Potter.”
- Pacuraru: “Shepherd.”
- Paduraru: “Forester.”
- Palade: “Shovel” or “palace.”
- Paslaru: “Shoemaker.”
- Pescaru: “Fisherman.”
- Rotaru: “Wheelwright.”
- Surugiu: “Charioteer.”
- Zidaru: “Bricklayer.”

Section 4 of 5:

Patronymic Romanian Last Names

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In Romania, it’s tradition to make a father’s or grandfather’s first name into the last name. This is usually done by adding the suffix -escu to their first name, which roughly means “son of.” Below are some common patronymic surnames:
- Adam: From the first name Adam, meaning “son of red earth.”
- Adamescu: “Son of Adam.”
- Alexandrescu: “Son of Alexandru.”
- Andronescu: “Son of Andrei.”
- Anghel: From the first name Anghel, meaning “angel.”
- Anton: From the first name Anton, meaning “priceless.”
- Badea: “Older brother” or “older man.”
- Constantinescu: “Son of Constantin.”
- Costache: From the given name Constantin, meaning “steadfast.”
- Dan: From the given name Daniel, meaning “valley” or “judge.”
- Davidescu: “Son of David.”
- Dinu: From the given name Constantin, meaning “steadfast.”
- Dragomir: From the given name Dragomi, meaning “peace is precious.”
- Filip: From the given name Filip, meaning “friend of horses.”
- Grigorescu: “Son of Grigore.”
- Iacob: From the given name Iacob, meaning “to follow.”
- Iliescu: “Son of Ilie.”
- Iordache: From the given name Iordache (George), meaning “farmer.”
- Lazar: From the given name Lazar, meaning “God has helped.”
- Manolescu: “Son of Manole.”
- Marculescu: “Son of Marcu.”
- Marin: From the given name Marin, meaning “marine.”
- Mihailescu: “Son of Mihai.”
- Miron: From the given name Miron, meaning “myrrh.”
- Pavelescu: “Son of Pavel.”
- Petrescu: “Son of Petre.”
- Sandu: From the given name Alexandru, meaning “defender of man.”
- Simionescu: “Son of Simion.”
- Stefan: From the given name Stefan, meaning “wealth.”
- Tanase: From the given name Athanasius, meaning “immortal.”
- Teodorescu: “Son of Teodor.”
- Toma: From the given name Toma (Thomas), meaning “twin.”
- Vasile: From the given name Vasile, meaning “king.”
- Vladescu: “Son of Vlad.”
- Zaharia: From the given name Zacharias, meaning “God remembers.”
- Zamfirescu: “Son of Zamfir.”