103 Eastern European Last Names With Meanings

Eastern Europe is one of the most beautiful regions on the Earth and the people there have some amazing names.

To understand any famous name meaning in this region, basic knowledge of Slavic languages is extremely important. A large number of parents here will rank different names from Slavic languages to determine the first name of the baby as the surname can not be changed.

Did you know when it comes to the root of names, There are variants of the same root in almost all languages across Europe!

Read this article to know more about popular family names used in Eastern Europe.

Common Eastern European Last Names

Names carry a lot of meaning and serve as a gateway into our personalities. A name is something very personal and can mean a lot to its owner. Some names carry deep meaning while others are pleasing to hear. Here is a list of famous and common Eastern European last names. 

Abakumov (Russian origin), meaning  ‘embrace’ is derived from the Hebrew word ‘Habakkuk’ and is a great Eastern European last name for any person.

Agafonov (Russian origin), meaning ‘kindness’ is derived from the Greek word ‘Agathon’. This name will go well with any first name.

Alexeyev (Russian origin), meaning ‘Defender’ is derived from the Greek word ‘Alexey’.‍ A good last name for a common person.

Andreyev (Russian origin), meaning ‘manly’ is derived from the Greek word ‘Andrew’. 

Artyomov (Russian origin), meaning ‘Son of Artyom’ is derived from the Greek Goddess Artemis. 

Aslananov (Russian origin), meaning ‘Son of Aslan’ is derived from the Turkish word ‘Aslan’. 

Balakin (Russian origin), meaning ‘to chatter’  is a good Russian last name. 

Balandin (Russian origin), meaning ‘a crater on the moon’ is a good Russian family name.

Baranov (Russian origin), meaning ‘lamb’ is a popular surname in Russia. It will go well with any first name.

Barinov (Russian, origin) meaning ‘nobleman’ is derived from the word ‘Boyar’. Suitable with any first name.

Bocharov (Russian origin), meaning ‘copper’ is derived from the name ‘Boris’ and is an occupation-based surname. 

Bogdanić (Croatian origin), meaning ‘son of Bogdan’ is a popular Eastern European last name. 

Borisyuk (Russian origin), meaning ‘wolf’ is a derivation of the name ‘Boris’ and is a unique Eastern European family name

Borodin (Russian origin), meaning ‘Beard’ originated from the word ‘Boroda’. One of the common from Slavic languages.

Borovkov (Russian origin), meaning ‘small boar’ is derived from the word ‘Borov’. 

Bortnik (Russian origin), meaning ‘beekeeper’ is an occupation-based name and is derived from ‘Bortniki’. 

Bortsov (Russian origin), meaning ‘wrestler’, is derived from the word ‘Borets’. A great nickname.

Broz (Croatian origin) is derived from Ambrozije and is a common Eastern European last name. 

Burgrov (Russian origin) meaning ‘heap’ is a derivation of the word ‘Bugor’. One of the common surnames in Hungary.

Bychkov (Russian origin) meaning ‘bull’ is derived from the Russian word ‘Bychok’. 

Crnčević (Serbian origin), meaning  ‘black’ is a unique Eastern European last name. 

Dragović (Croatian origin), meaning ‘son of Drago’ is a good Eastern European last name. 

Filipović (Serbian origin), meaning ‘son of Filip’ is a good Eastern European last name. 

Franić. (Croatian origin), is derived from Franjic and is a good Eastern European surname. 

Franjić (Croatian origin), meaning ‘son of Franjo’ is one of the oldest last names.

Gál (Hungarian origin), meaning ‘wave’ is said to be derived from the Hebrew word ‘Gál’. One of the popular diminutive surnames in Hungary.

Grbić (Slovak origin), meaning ‘hunchback’ is an older Slavic surname from the 19th century.

Grgić (Croatian origin), meaning ‘son of Grgur’ is a good Eastern European diminutive surname. 

Horváth (Hungarian origin), meaning ‘Croatian’ is derived from the Hungarian word ‘Horvat’. Sounds like a great nickname.

Juhász (Hungarian origin), meaning ‘sheep’ is derived from ‘Juh’ meaning shepherd, and is an occupational name. 

Kiss (Hungarian origin), meaning ‘little’ is a good Eastern European diminutive family name. Popular in Germany as well.

Kovács (Hungarian origin), meaning ‘Smith’ is the second most popular Hungarian name and is an occupational one, and is a great Eastern European last name.

Lakatos (Hungarian origin), meaning ‘locksmith’ is an occupational Eastern European family name. 

Stankić (Serbian origin), meaning ‘son of Stanko’ is an old Eastern European surname. 

Stjepanić (Croatian origin), meaning ‘son of Stjepan’ is a great Eastern European last name. 

Tomić (Serbian origin), meaning ‘son of Toma’ is an older Eastern European family name. 

Vinković (Croatian origin), meaning ‘son of Vinko’ is an older Eastern European surname. 

Vlahović (Croatian origin), meaning ‘Romanian’, is a derivative of the word Vlah. 

Zorić (Serbian origin), meaning ‘son of Zora’ is an older Eastern European diminutive surname. 

Eastern European Jewish Last Names

Jewish names are very unique and some of them are occupation-based names. There are often common patterns that can be found in these names as well.

Some of them are based on historical occupations that people with that particular last name used to follow. Blacksmith, Dimitrov, and Miller are popular choices. Here is a list of common Eastern European Jewish last names.

Ackerman (Jewish origin), meaning ‘plowman’ is an occupational Eastern European Jewish surname.

Baker/Boker (Jewish origin) meaning ‘baker’ is an occupational Eastern European Jewish last name.

Blecher (Jewish origin), meaning ‘tinsmith’ is an occupational Eastern European Jewish surname. It is popular in Germany as well.

Drucker (Jewish origin), meaning ‘printer’ is an occupational Eastern European Jewish last name.

Einstein (Jewish origin), meaning ‘mason’ is an occupational Eastern European Jewish last name.

Farber (Jewish origin), meaning ‘painter’ is an occupational Eastern European Jewish last name.

Feinstein (Jewish origin), meaning ‘jeweler’ is an occupational Eastern European Jewish last name.

Fisher (Jewish origin), meaning ‘fisherman’ is an occupational Eastern European Jewish last name.

Fleisher (Jewish origin), meaning ‘butcher’ is an occupational Eastern European Jewish last name.

Good Eastern European Last Names

Eastern European names come from a variety of countries like Serbia, Latvia, Russia, Bulgaria, Hungary, and more. This part of the world has some amazing and that are specific to their languages and dialects. This section contains a list of good Eastern European last names.

Adamić (Croatian origin), meaning ‘son of Adam’ is an old and good Eastern European last name. 

Adrian (Latvian origin), meaning ‘Adria’ is a good Eastern European last name for a person with a proud family tree. 

Aleksis (Latvian origin), meaning ‘helper of man’ is a good Eastern European last name. 

Andrysiak (Polish origin), meaning ‘son of Andrzej’ is an Eastern European last name from Poland.

Antić (Serbian origin), meaning ‘son of Anto’ is a good and meaningful Eastern European last name. 

Armands (Latvian origin), meaning ‘soldier’ is derived from Armand. 

Artjoms (Latvian origin), meaning ‘follower of Artemis’ is derived from Artemus and is a unique Eastern European last name.

Arturs (Latvian origin), meaning ‘strong as a bear’ is derived from Artur and is a powerful Eastern European last name.

Babić (Serbian origin), meaning ‘of an old woman’  is a good Eastern European last name. 

Balázs (Latin origin), meaning ‘stammer’, is derived from the Latin name Balázs. 

Balogh (Hungarian origin),  meaning ‘left-handed’, is derived from the word ‘Bal’ meaning ‘Left’ and is a great Eastern European last name.

Bartosz (Polish origin), is a good Eastern European last name and is derived from ‘Bartosz’. A great name for a Polish descendant.

Bendiks (Latvian origin), meaning ‘blessed one’ is a beautiful Eastern European last name. 

Bosko (Polish origin), meaning ‘barefoot’ is derived from the Slavic ‘bosu’ and is a great Eastern European last name.

Dziedzic (Polish origin),  meaning ‘land owner’ is a good Eastern European last name.

Dzīve (Latvian origin), meaning ‘life’ is a good Eastern European last name. 

Emils (Latvian origin), meaning ‘eager’ is a unique Eastern European last name.

Farkas (Hungarian origin), meaning ‘the wolf’ is a good Eastern European last name. 

Fehér (Hungarian origin), meaning ‘white haired’ is a good Eastern European diminutive last name. 

Fekete (Hungarian origin), meaning ‘black’ is said to symbolize hair color and is a good Eastern European last name. 

Gomółka (Polish origin) is derived from the Polish word ‘Gomółka’, which is a type of round cheese and is a great Eastern European last name.

Gustavs (Latvian origin), meaning ‘staff of the gods’ is a religious Eastern European last name. 

Horvat (Slovak origin), meaning ‘Croatian’ is a good Eastern European surname. 

Ilić (Croatian origin), meaning ‘son of Ilija’ is a good Eastern European last name of older origin. 

Ivanović (Croatian origin), meaning ‘son of Ivan’ is an older Eastern European last name. 

Ivo (Latvian origin), meaning ‘Archer’, is an occupation-based Eastern European last name. 

Janković (Serbian origin), meaning ‘son of Janko’ is a good Eastern European surname of older origin. 

Jazeph (Latvian origin), ‘God will increase’ is derived from Joseph and is a religious Eastern European last name. 

Jurgis (Latvian origin), meaning ‘Earth worker’, is an occupation-based Eastern European last name. 

Kamiński (Polish origin), meaning ‘stone’ is an occupation-based name for stonecutter or sculptor and is a great Eastern European last name.

Kovačić (Bosnian origin), meaning ‘blacksmith’ is an occupation-based Eastern European last name. 

Kristaps (Latvian origin), meaning ‘Bearer of Christ’ is a spiritual Eastern European last name. 

Kristers (Latvian origin), meaning ‘a disciple of Christ’ is a good Eastern European last name. 

Krists (Latvian origin), meaning ‘follower of Christ’ is a good Eastern European last name. 

Labrencis (Latvian origin), meaning ‘laurel’ is derived from Lawrence. 

Lončar (Bosnian origin), meaning ‘potter’ is an occupation-based surname from Eastern Europe. 

Marković (Serbian origin), meaning ‘son of Marko’ is an older Eastern European last name. 

Nikolić (Serbian origin), meaning ‘son of Nikola’ is an Eastern European last name of older origin. 

Novak (Slovak origin), is a name given to a newcomer and is a good Eastern European last name. 

Perko (Slovak origin), is an ancient Eastern European last name that is derived from ‘Peter’. 

Petrić (Croatian origin), meaning ‘son of Petar’ is an older Eastern European last name. 

Pokorný (Czech origin), meaning ‘humble’ is a good Eastern European last name from the Czech Republic.

Polák (Czech origin), meaning ‘from Poland’, is a good Eastern European diminutive last name from the Czech Republic.

Řezník (Czech origin), meaning ‘butcher’ is an occupation-based Eastern European last name.

Růžička (Czech origin), meaning ‘little rose’ is a good Eastern European last name.

Ryba (Czech), meaning ‘fish’ is an occupation-based name given to a fisherman and is a great Czech last name.

Long Eastern European Last Names

Everyone that likes knows that some names are quite long. These names are very interesting as they can carry power. This section contains a list of long Eastern European last names. 

Aleksandrs (Latvian origin), meaning ‘defender of men’ is a unique Eastern European last name for any person. 

Arkhangelsky (Russian origin), meaning ‘from Arkangelsk’ is a district in Russia and is a great Russian last name.

Balabanov (Russian origin), meaning ‘hawk’ is a common Russian last name and is a powerful one.

Cooperman (Jewish origin), meaning ‘coppersmith’ is an occupational Eastern European Jewish last name suitable for any ethnic person from the old kingdom.

Dubanowski (Polish origin), is used for someone from the town of Duninowo in Poland and is an ethnic Polish last name popular with the local population.

Kazimieras (Latvian origin), meaning ‘peace destruction’ is an ethnic Eastern European last name. 

Podsedník (Czech origin), meaning ‘one sitting behind’ is a good Eastern European last name from the Czech Republic.

Ślusarski (Polish origin), meaning ‘locksmith’ is an occupational name and is derived from the German ‘ślusarz’ and is a great Eastern European last name. Thus a great name for the Germanic population,

Stojanović (Serbian origin), meaning ‘son of Stojan’ is an older Eastern European last name from the old kingdom.