Last Name Giurgiu

The surname Giurgiu has roots in Romania and is derived from a place name. Specifically, it comes from the city of Giurgiu, which is located in southern Romania on the Danube River, approximately 60 kilometers south of the capital city Bucharest. Over time, the name of the city evolved from "Gyurgu" or "Yurgyu," which may have been of Turkic origin, possibly related to the Tatar word "yorghu," meaning "bear." The name was later Romanized as Giurgiu during the Ottoman Empire's rule over Romania. As people migrated and settled in various regions, they adopted this surname as a way to identify themselves and their descendants.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Giurgiu

The meaning and origin of the last name Giurgiu

The surname Giurgiu, commonly found in Romania, is derived from a place name originating in the region of Wallachia. Specifically, it stems from the city of Giurgiu, located on the Danube River and serving as a significant trade center since medieval times. Over the centuries, the name has been Romanized in various ways, such as Georgiu, Jurjiu, or Jirjio, reflecting differing phonetic interpretations by foreign observers. As a patronymic surname, it often indicates descent from someone who hailed from this city, though its exact meaning and origin can vary depending on the specific family lineage.

Geographical distribution of the last name Giurgiu

The surname Giurgiu, originating from Romania, is predominantly concentrated within the region where it derives its name - Giurgiu County, located in southern Muntenia, on the right bank of the Danube river. However, its distribution extends beyond this area, with significant populations found in other parts of Romania, particularly in cities such as Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca. Emigration has also led to the presence of individuals bearing the Giurgiu surname in various countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Western Europe. Notably, there is a significant community of Romanians with the last name Giurgiu in the United States, particularly in states like Michigan and Texas.

Variants and spellings of the last name Giurgiu

The last name Giurgiu has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration and regional dialects. Some common variants include Giorgiu, Jiorgiou, Jurgeu, Georgiu, Gyurgyu, Gyurgu, and Gjurgiu. These variations can be found among people of Romanian, Greek, or other Eastern European origin. The name Giurgiu is associated with the Romanian city of Giurgiu, located on the Danube River. It is also the name of several other towns in Romania, Moldova, and Bulgaria. The etymology of the name is believed to be derived from a Slavic personal name Jurij (George), which was likely introduced during the Middle Ages.

Famous people with the last name Giurgiu

Notable individuals with the surname Giurgiu include:

1. Ion Giurgiu (1934-2007), a Romanian composer and conductor, best known for his work in contemporary and electronic music. He was a founding member of the Romanian Society of Electroacoustic Music (SME) and the Romanian section of the International Association for Electroacoustic Music (IMEJ).

2. Emil Cocioran-Giurgiu (1903-1976), a Romanian actor, director, and theater manager. He founded the Giurgiu Theatre in 1950, which is still one of Romania's most prominent regional theaters.

3. Elena Giurgiu (born 1982), a Romanian actress who has appeared in films such as "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days" and "Child's Pose". She won the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival for her role in the latter.

4. Iuliu Hossu-Giurgiu (1891-1976), a Romanian Greek Catholic bishop who was interned by the communist regime and died in prison, posthumously becoming a symbol of religious persecution under communism.

5. George Giurgiu (born 1949), a Romanian mathematician known for his work in algebraic geometry and mathematical logic. He has been a professor at the University of Bucharest since 1986.

Genealogical research on the last name Giurgiu

The Giurgiu surname originates from Romania, specifically from the historical region of Muntenia. The name is derived from the city of Giurgiu, located south of Bucharest. The city was first mentioned in the 14th century and was named after a Moldavian prince named Gherghe (George) who settled there. The surname began to be widely used in the 16th century among the Romanian population, particularly those living near Giurgiu.

Over time, people with the Giurgiu surname migrated from Romania and established communities in various parts of the world. In Europe, they can be found in countries like Italy, Spain, Germany, and the United Kingdom. In America, there are significant numbers of people with this surname in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Brazil.

In the U.S., the most common regions for Giurgiu descendants include California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois. Many descend from Romanian immigrants who arrived during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some of these early immigrants were part of a wave of laborers brought to America by railroad companies to work on construction projects.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Giurgiu"
• 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 : 28 July 2025

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