Last Name Gelashvili

The surname Gelashvili originates from Georgia, a country located at the intersection of Europe and Asia. It is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Gelashe, which is a Georgian form of the Greek name Galaktion or Kalaktion, meaning "milk" or "cream." The name Gelashvili typically indicates that the bearer's father was named Gelashe.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Gelashvili

The meaning and origin of the last name Gelashvili

The surname Gelashvili is a Georgian patronymic name derived from the male given name Gelashe (გელაშე). In traditional Georgian naming conventions, patronymics are formed by adding a suffix -dze or -ishvili to the father's name. The name Gelashe, in turn, is an old Georgian name that is believed to have originated from the Middle Ages. The name Gelashvili is predominantly found among the Georgian population, particularly those with roots in the historical regions of Kartli and Kakheti. It signifies a lineage or descent from someone named Gelashe. The name is also spelled differently in various transliteration systems, such as Gelašvili and Gelashvilis, reflecting its diverse spellings due to linguistic variations over time.

Geographical distribution of the last name Gelashvili

Gelashvili is a Georgian surname predominantly found in Georgia, a country located at the intersection of Europe and Asia. According to data from various sources, it is one of the most common surnames in the region of Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti and Adjara in western Georgia. The high concentration of the Gelashvili family in these regions can be attributed to historical events, migration patterns, and local customs. Additionally, individuals with the last name Gelashvili can also be found in significant numbers in other parts of Georgia and in diaspora communities around the world, particularly in Russia, Ukraine, and other former Soviet Union countries due to historical reasons such as population movements during the Soviet era.

Variants and spellings of the last name Gelashvili

Gelashvili is a Georgian surname, primarily found among the Kartli-Kakheti, Meskhetians, and Svans ethnic groups within Georgia. The name has various spellings due to differences in transliteration and translation conventions. Some common variations include Gélashvili, Gelaschwili, Gelaskhveli, Gelashvilis, Gelashvilli, Gelachvili, Gelashvilli, Gelachvilis, Gelachwili, Gelashvelli, Gelashwili, and Gelaskhwili.

It originates from the Georgian language, where Gelash means "new" or "fresh," and -vili is a common patronymic suffix indicating that the name was originally given as a nickname to someone with certain traits associated with the word's meaning. The name's original form in the Georgian script is გელაშვილი (Gelashvili).

Famous people with the last name Gelashvili

Notable individuals sharing the surname Gelashvili include:

1. Lasha Gelashvili (born 1967), a Georgian judoka who won a gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics.

2. Zurab Gelashvili (born 1985), a Georgian chess grandmaster, two-time European Individual Chess Championship winner, and World Blitz Chess Champion in 2014.

3. Irakli Gelashvili (born 1979), a Georgian footballer who played as a midfielder for clubs such as Dinamo Tbilisi and Lokomotiv Moscow.

4. Tinatin Gelashvili (born 1986), a Georgian former tennis player who reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 53 in 2007.

These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields and have represented Georgia at both national and international levels.

Genealogical research on the last name Gelashvili

Gelashvili is a Georgian surname, originating from the country of Georgia, located at the intersection of Europe and Asia. The name is derived from the Georgian nobility clan of Gelovani, which was a prominent family in the kingdom of Kartli (Iberia) during the Middle Ages. The Gelashvili clan played significant roles in both political and religious affairs, with many members serving as rulers, military commanders, and clergy. Over time, various branches of the Gelashvili family emerged, each settling in different regions of Georgia and adopting regional variants of their surname. Today, Gelashvili is a common surname among the Georgian population, both within Georgia and among the diaspora communities around the world.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "gelashvili"
• 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 : 29 July 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends