NomOrigine Background

Last Name Iordache

What is the origin of the last name Iordache?

The last name "Iordache" is of Romanian origin. It is derived from the Romanian given name "Iordache" or "Iordan," which is the equivalent of the English name "Jordan." The name "Iordache" is a patronymic surname, meaning it indicates "son of Iordache" or "descendant of Iordache." It is a relatively common last name in Romania, often found in the regions of Wallachia and Moldavia.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Iordache

The meaning and origin of the last name Iordache

The surname Iordache is of Romanian origin and is derived from the given name Iordachi or Iordache, which is itself a diminutive form of the Greek name Georgios, meaning "farmer" or "earthworker". The popularity of the name can be attributed to its association with Saint George, the patron saint of shepherds and farmers, who is widely venerated in Romanian culture. The surname Iordache originates from the medieval Byzantine Empire and was later adopted by Romanian families during the 18th and 19th centuries. It is commonly found in Romania, particularly in the Muntenia and Oltenia regions. The name has variations such as Iordăcuţă or Iordăchescu, with the latter being a patronymic form. Individuals with the surname Iordache may trace their lineage back to families with agricultural or rural backgrounds, or they may simply carry the name as a result of their ancestors' admiration for Saint George.

Geographical distribution of the last name Iordache

The last name Iordache has a primarily Romanian origin and is concentrated heavily in the country itself. It is derived from the given name "Iordan," which refers to the biblical figure John the Baptist. Being a relatively common surname in Romania, it is distributed across the various regions of the country, including Muntenia, Oltenia, Moldavia, and Transylvania. Many individuals with the surname Iordache can also be found in major cities such as Bucharest, Constanta, Timisoara, and Cluj-Napoca. Additionally, due to migration and globalization, there may be individuals with the last name Iordache scattered across other countries, particularly in Europe, where Romanian communities exist. However, outside of Romania, the prevalence of this last name is not as significant compared to within the country. Overall, the geographical distribution of the last name Iordache reflects its Romanian origins and its concentration within the borders of Romania.

Variants and spellings of the last name Iordache

The last name Iordache is primarily of Romanian origin and is commonly pronounced as "yor-dah-keh." However, like many surnames, there can be several variations and spellings associated with it. Some possible variations and spellings include Iordaci, Iordachescu, Iordan, Iordănescu, and Iordăchescu. These variations often arise due to phonetic changes, regional dialects, or personal preferences. Additionally, when individuals with the last name Iordache migrate to different countries or regions, their surname may undergo further modifications. For instance, in English-speaking countries, it may be spelled as Yordache, Yordahi, or Yordak. Similarly, in other languages using different alphabets, variations can appear, such as Jorodake (Japanese) or Iордахе (Russian Cyrillic). Despite the variations and spellings, the underlying meaning of the surname remains the same, as it is derived from the Romanian given name Iordache, meaning "little Lord" or "servant of the Lord."

Famous people with the last name Iordache

One famous person with the last name Iordache is Daniela Silivaş Iordache, a retired Romanian gymnast. She was born in 1972 and won numerous medals during her career, including the 1988 Olympic gold medal on the balance beam. Silivaş Iordache is regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time and is known for her elegance, precision, and exceptional skills. She also achieved success at the World Championships, winning four gold medals in 1987 and three more in 1989. Silivaş Iordache's contributions to gymnastics continue to be celebrated as she inspired many future gymnasts with her performances and accomplishments. Additionally, there may be other individuals with the last name Iordache who are notable in their respective fields, but Daniela Silivaş Iordache is one of the most recognized and renowned.

Genealogical research on the last name Iordache

The last name Iordache has Romanian origins and is believed to be derived from the given name Ion, which is the equivalent of John in English. Consequently, the surname Iordache can be interpreted as "son of Ion" or "John's son." This patronymic naming tradition used to be prevalent in many cultures, where a son would adopt his father's name as a surname. In Romania, the surname Iordache is not uncommon, and there are several branches of families bearing this name scattered throughout the country. Tracing the precise genealogical research on the Iordache surname requires specific information, such as names of individuals, birth dates, or locations. However, ancestral research or records may reveal valuable insights about the family history, allowing individuals to connect with distant relatives or discover their roots within the broader context of Romanian culture and society.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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 : 11 April 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names