100 Popular Roman Last Names

Roman last names or “cognomina” offer insights into the culture, history, and social structure of ancient Rome.

These surnames, very often closely tied to a person’s lineage, profession, or characteristics, offer insight into how Romans identified themselves and their families.

In this blog post, we shall discover the origins and meanings of Roman last names, and how these have shaped modern surnames and reflect upon the intricate web of Roman society.

If one is a layman, an amateur historian, or simply curious about the ancient civilization, the European World of Roman last names proffers a rich and colorful tale.

Roman Last Names

Aemilius – “Rival,” a prominent patrician family name.

Antonius – Likely derived from the Latin word “ante,” meaning “before” or “preceding.”

Aurelius – “Golden,” derived from “aureus,” meaning gold.

Cicero – “Chickpea,” possibly referring to a prominent ancestor’s appearance or profession.

Claudius – Possibly from “claudus,” meaning “lame” or “crippled.”

Cornelius – Likely derived from “cornu,” meaning “horn” or “horned,” symbolizing strength.

Fabius – “Bean grower,” from “faba,” meaning bean, potentially referring to a family involved in farming.

Flavius – “Golden” or “blonde,” derived from “flavus,” meaning yellow or golden.

Gracchus – “Graceful” or “charming,” potentially referring to physical beauty or charm.

Julianus – Derived from “Iulus,” meaning “youth” or “descendant of Jupiter.”

Licinius – Likely derived from “licinus,” meaning “smooth,” referring to a smooth and easy-going person.

Livius – “Bluish,” derived from the Latin word “lividus,” meaning “blue” or “grayish.”

Marius – Possibly derived from “mare,” meaning “sea,” suggesting a connection to water or sailors.

Maximus – “Greatest,” denoting someone of high status or ability.

Nerva – “Steady” or “strong,” referring to strength or stability.

Octavius – From the Latin word “octavus,” meaning “eighth,” likely indicating the eighth-born child in a family.

Pompeius – “From Pompeii,” referring to someone who hails from the city of Pompeii.

Quinctius – Possibly derived from “quinctus,” meaning “fifth,” indicating birth order.

Romulus – “Founder of Rome,” linked to the legendary founder of Rome.

Sergius – Likely derived from “sergere,” meaning “to rise” or “to stand.”

Tiberius – From “Tiber,” the name of the river that runs through Rome, symbolizing connection to the river or region.

Valerius – “Strong” or “healthy,” from the Latin word “valere.”

Vipsanius – Possibly derived from “vipsa,” meaning “a long staff” or “oak tree.”

Catullus – A diminutive form of “Catulus,” meaning “puppy” or “little dog.”

Didius – Possibly derived from “divus,” meaning “divine” or “godly.”

Domitius – Likely derived from “domus,” meaning “house” or “home.”

Fabius – Related to “faba,” meaning “bean,” possibly referring to a family that grew beans.

Flaccus – “Floppy,” potentially referring to someone with floppy or drooping features.

Cato – “Wise” or “sharp,” often associated with someone known for wisdom or sharp judgment.

Sulla – A shortened form of “Sullectanius,” possibly a reference to a tribe or location.

Severus – “Stern” or “serious,” referring to someone of strict character.

Tullius – Likely from the Latin word “tullius,” meaning “leader” or “chief.”

Varrus – Derived from “varus,” meaning “bow-legged” or “crooked-legged.”

Sempronius – A family name likely associated with the Latin word “semper,” meaning “always” or “forever.”

Lupus – “Wolf,” symbolizing strength, fierceness, or nobility.

Silius – Likely derived from “silva,” meaning “forest” or “wood.”

Crispus – “Curly-haired” or “frizzy,” referring to the appearance of the hair.

Fuscus – “Dark” or “swarthy,” often referring to a person’s complexion.

Census – From “censere,” meaning “to assess” or “to estimate,” related to taxation.

Hirtius – Likely derived from “hirtus,” meaning “rough” or “hairy.”

Longinus – “Long” or “tall,” referring to someone of tall stature.

Mucius – Likely from “mucus,” meaning “slime” or “snot,” a nickname possibly derived from a distinctive feature.

Atilius – Possibly from “attila,” meaning “father,” signifying leadership or paternal traits.

Cinnamus – Likely referring to the spice “cinnamon,” indicating a wealthy family associated with trade.

Papirius – Likely from “papyrus,” the writing material, indicating a learned family.

Tantillus – Likely a reference to “tantalus,” symbolizing frustration or something unreachable.

Varenus – Derived from “varus,” meaning “bow-legged” or a crooked-legged person.

Hannibal – “Grace of Baal,” derived from Phoenician origins, signifying a divine favor.

Vestrius – Likely derived from “vestis,” meaning “clothing,” referring to a family involved in textile or clothing.

Aquillius – Derived from “aquila,” meaning “eagle,” symbolizing nobility and power.

Agrippa – “Wild horse” or “horse trainer,” indicating strength or skill in horsemanship.

Annius – Likely derived from “annus,” meaning “year,” suggesting longevity or the passage of time.

Asinius – Possibly derived from “asinus,” meaning “donkey,” perhaps referring to a family known for their humble nature.

Bucius – Derived from “bucus,” meaning “ox” or “bull,” symbolizing strength and endurance.

Caecilius – Derived from “caecus,” meaning “blind,” possibly referring to an ancestor’s appearance or condition.

Calpurnius – Possibly related to “calpurnus,” meaning “soothing,” indicating a calming or peaceful nature.

Cinna – “Dog” or “puppy,” used to describe a playful or loyal nature.

Crispus – “Curly-haired” or “frizzy,” referring to someone’s hair texture.

Decimius – Derived from “decimus,” meaning “tenth,” often referring to the tenth-born child or a ranking.

Domitianus – Derived from “domus,” meaning “house” or “home,” symbolizing a connection to one’s heritage.

Egnatius – Possibly derived from “agnus,” meaning “lamb,” indicating gentleness or innocence.

Fabius – “Bean grower,” from “faba,” meaning bean, possibly a reference to agriculture.

Fuscinus – Likely derived from “fuscus,” meaning “dark” or “swarthy,” referring to appearance.

Galba – Possibly from “galla,” meaning “cock,” referring to a proud or valiant nature.

Gellius – Derived from “gelu,” meaning “frost,” symbolizing coldness or a sharp nature.

Helvii – A family name from the Helvii tribe, symbolizing a connection to a particular tribe.

Hostilius – Possibly derived from “hostis,” meaning “enemy,” indicating a warrior-like background.

Iulianus – From “Iulus,” meaning “youth” or “descendant of Jupiter,” often associated with a noble family.

Lartius – Likely derived from “lar,” meaning “household god,” indicating protection or family.

Lentulus – Possibly related to “lentus,” meaning “slow,” indicating a patient or deliberate nature.

Longinus – “Long” or “tall,” referring to someone of tall stature or length.

Lucullus – “Light” or “brightness,” symbolizing a shining or famous family.

Mamercus – Likely from “mamercus,” meaning “of the god Mars,” indicating a warrior or protector.

Manlius – Derived from “manus,” meaning “hand,” possibly indicating someone skilled in manual labor.

Marcius – Derived from “Mars,” the god of war, suggesting martial prowess or a connection to warfare.

Metellus – Likely derived from “meta,” meaning “goal” or “turning point,” signifying someone who seeks or reaches goals.

Minucius – Derived from “minucius,” meaning “small” or “petite,” possibly referring to size or stature.

Mummius – Likely from “mummus,” meaning “old man,” a title of respect or authority.

Nasidius – Likely derived from “nasus,” meaning “nose,” possibly referring to someone’s prominent nose.

Nerva – “Strong” or “steady,” symbolizing resilience and stability.

Octavianus – Derived from “octavianus,” meaning “eighth,” indicating the eighth-born child in a family.

Paullus – “Small” or “humble,” perhaps signifying a modest family background.

Perperna – Likely derived from “perperus,” meaning “straight” or “even,” possibly referring to fairness.

Plautius – Possibly derived from “plautus,” meaning “flat-footed” or “broad-footed.”

Pollius – Derived from “pollux,” meaning “double” or “twin,” possibly referring to twins or duality.

Pomponius – Likely derived from “pomum,” meaning “fruit,” symbolizing fertility or abundance.

Postumius – Derived from “postumus,” meaning “born after,” possibly referring to a later-born child.

Quirinius – Possibly derived from “Quirinus,” a god of war and agriculture in Roman mythology.

Rabirius – Likely derived from “rabis,” meaning “rage” or “fury,” signifying a fierce or passionate nature.

Rufus – “Red” or “ruddy,” referring to a person with reddish hair or complexion.

Sallustius – Derived from “sallus,” meaning “health” or “well-being,” possibly indicating a healthy family lineage.

Scaevola – “Left-handed,” referring to a person who was left-handed or skilled with their left hand.

Sempronius – Derived from “semper,” meaning “always” or “forever,” signifying permanence or legacy.

Tarquinius – Derived from “Tarquinius,” the name of an ancient Roman dynasty, symbolizing royal or regal heritage.

Tertullianus – Derived from “tertullus,” meaning “third,” often indicating the third-born child.

Vatinus – Likely from “vates,” meaning “prophet,” signifying someone with foresight or wisdom.

Verenus – Derived from “verus,” meaning “true” or “genuine,” referring to a person of honesty or integrity.

Vibullius – Likely from “vibex,” meaning “weasel,” symbolizing cunning or adaptability.

Virdius – Possibly from “viridis,” meaning “green” or “youthful,” signifying vitality.

Volumnius – Derived from “volumen,” meaning “roll” or “scroll,” indicating a learned or scholarly family.