Last Name Arnaoutoglou

The surname Arnaoutoglou has Greek origins and is derived from two Greek words: "Arnaoutis" (Αρναούτης), meaning "Arnaut," a term used historically for an Albanian or Ottoman soldier, and "Glous" (Γλους), which means "throat." This surname is found mainly in the regions of Macedonia, Thrace, and Thessaly in Greece. Over time, various phonetic and spelling variations have arisen due to linguistic and cultural influences. Examples include Arnaoutoglu, Arnaoutoglou-Stavridis, etc.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Arnaoutoglou

The meaning and origin of the last name Arnaoutoglou

The surname Arnaoutoglou is of Greek origin, derived from the combination of two elements: "Arnaoutis" (Arnaut) and "Glou" or "Glouzos." The name Arnaut (Arnautis in Greek) is an occupational surname, indicating a person who was originally an Armenian or Albanian. The term "Glou" or "Glouzos" denotes a slave who was freed, often by the Byzantine emperor. Therefore, the surname Arnaoutoglou would have been given to someone who was a freed Armenian or Albanian. This surname is primarily found among the Greek population, particularly in regions such as Macedonia and Thrace. Over time, variations of this name may exist due to differences in regional pronunciation and transcription errors.

Geographical distribution of the last name Arnaoutoglou

The Arnaoutoglou surname is predominantly found in Greece, particularly in the region of Macedonia and Thrace. Historically, it was more common among the Greek Orthodox Christian population, especially those with roots in the city of Thessaloniki and its surrounding areas. The name, derived from the Greek words "arnas" (bear) and "outis" (master), reflects a connection to bears or bear-keeping, a tradition that was once common in these regions. Over time, some Arnaoutoglou families have migrated or been displaced, leading to a presence of this surname in other parts of Greece and, in smaller numbers, in diaspora communities around the world, particularly in North America, Australia, and Western Europe.

Variants and spellings of the last name Arnaoutoglou

The surname Arnaoutoglou has several variations and spellings due to transliteration differences across languages and regional dialects. Some common variants include:

1. Arnaoutoglou: This is the original Greek spelling, which combines the patronymic Arnaoutos (son of Arnaoutis) with the suffix -glou, a common ending for occupations or descriptions in Greek names.
2. Arnaoutoglu: A variation where the final 'o' is replaced by an 'u'.
3. Arnaoutoglou-Arnakis: This double-barreled name combines Arnaoutoglou with a second surname, Arnakis, common among some families in Greece.
4. Aranatoglou: A variant where the first syllable (Arna-) is pronounced with a different emphasis or vowel length.
5. Arnaudoglu: This spelling represents an attempt to phonetically represent the name in non-Greek languages, especially in Eastern European languages that use Cyrillic script.
6. Arnaoutoglou-Arnautoglou: Some individuals may choose to add or remove the second 'u' for personal preference or to conform to a more Westernized spelling tradition.
7. Ernaoutoglou, Ernaoutoglu, Earnatoglou, etc.: Informal or dialectal variations may occur where the initial vowel 'a' is replaced with an 'e', and in some cases, the second syllable 'n' is replaced with an 'm'.
8. Arnavutoglu: This spelling represents a Turkish transliteration of the same Greek name, which was adopted by some families who were forced to convert to Islam during Ottoman rule and then later resettled in Greece after the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1923.

Famous people with the last name Arnaoutoglou

Stelios Arnaoutoglou, also known as Stelios, is a renowned Greek-Cypriot entrepreneur and founder of easyJet, a low-cost airline company headquartered in London. Launched in 1995, easyJet now operates in over 30 countries, revolutionizing the European aviation industry with its affordable fares and customer-focused service. Stelios also established the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation, which supports charitable causes in education, healthcare, and the environment. In the world of visual arts, Kiki Arnaoutoglou, born Anna-Marie Arnaoutoglou, is a significant figure. An early Greek Modernist, she was a pioneer in abstract art and a member of the influential group known as "The Circle". Her works can be found in several museum collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Genealogical research on the last name Arnaoutoglou

The surname Arnaoutoglou originates from Greece and is derived from two Greek roots: "Arnaouts" (Turk) and "Glou" (Village). The name initially appeared among the Greek population in the Ottoman Empire, signifying a resident of a village inhabited by Turks. Over time, the spelling variations of this surname include Arnautoglou, Arnaoutoglu, Arnaoutoglu, and others. Notable individuals with this surname include Ioannis Arnaoutoglou, a Greek politician and economist who served as the Greek Minister of Economy and Development from 2014 to 2015, and Christos Arnaoutoglou, a Greek athlete who competed in the long jump at the 1968 Summer Olympics. The Arnaoutoglou family has roots primarily in Western Thrace and Eastern Macedonia regions of Greece. Genealogical research suggests that the name's earliest known bearer was Yiannis Arnaoutoglou, born around 1750.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "arnaoutoglou"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 15 June 2025

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