Last Name Kyriacopoulos

Learn more about the origin of the last name Kyriacopoulos

The meaning and origin of the last name Kyriacopoulos

The surname Kyriacopoulos is a Greek name that combines elements from Greek language and culture. The root "Kyriakos" or "Κυριακός" in Greek means 'belonging to the Lord', derived from "Kyrios", which translates to 'lord' in English. The suffix "-opoulos" or "-οπούλος" in Greek, refers to a person who comes from a place named after a specific individual with the name Kyriakos. Thus, the surname Kyriacopoulos can be interpreted as 'descendant of Kyriakos' or 'coming from the town/village of Kyriakos'. The name has origins in Greece and is found among the Greek diaspora around the world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Kyriacopoulos

The surname Kyriacopoulos, of Greek origin meaning "son of Cyrus," is primarily concentrated in regions with significant Greek populations, both historically and contemporarily. It's most prevalent in Greece itself, where it ranks among the top 1,000 surnames. A considerable number of people with this name can also be found in Cyprus due to historical links between the two countries. Additionally, there is a sizeable Greek diaspora in various parts of the world, including North and South America, Australia, and Western Europe, where the Kyriacopoulos surname may be present as well.

Variants and spellings of the last name Kyriacopoulos

The surname Kyriacopoulos has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration, regional dialects, and personal preference. Some of these variations include:

1. Kiriakopoulos
2. Keriakopolis
3. Kiriakopolous
4. Kyrkakis (a shorter form from Crete)
5. Chiriakos
6. Kiriacou, Kiriako, Kiriakidis, and other derivatives based on given names within the surname.

Additionally, due to immigration and assimilation, some families may have modified the spelling of their surnames over time to make them easier for others to pronounce or understand. For instance, some members of this family line might be found with variations like Kiriakopoulos-Garcia, Kiriakopolous-Williams, or Kiriako-Johnson in North America or other countries where they have settled.

Famous people with the last name Kyriacopoulos

Notable individuals with the surname Kyriacopoulos include:

1. Andreas Kyriacopoulos (born 1936), a Greek-American businessman who founded the Aegean Marine Petroleum Network, Inc., one of the largest independent bunker fuel suppliers in the world.
2. John Kyriacou-Poulos (1948-2005), an American economist and academic, known for his research on poverty and inequality. He served as the president of the National Bureau of Economic Research.
3. George Kyriacopoulos (born 1967), a Greek politician who has been a Member of the Hellenic Parliament since 2015. He is a member of the New Democracy party.
4. Kostas Kyriacopoulos (1885-1947), a Greek physician and politician who served as Minister of Health in the Government of Greece during World War II. He was also a member of the National Scholarchic Union, a secret society that aimed to promote Hellenism in Greece.
5. Constantine Kyriacopoulos (1896-1970), a Greek entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded several companies, including the Aegean Airlines, which is now known as Olympic Air. He was also a prominent benefactor of various educational institutions in Greece.

These individuals have made significant contributions in their respective fields, ranging from business and politics to academia and philanthropy.

Genealogical research on the last name Kyriacopoulos

The Kyriacopoulos surname originates from Greece and is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "Kyrios," meaning master or lord, and "Polites," meaning citizen. This surname is commonly found among the Orthodox Christian population in Greece and Cyprus. The name has several variations such as Kyriakopoulos, Kyrilakis, Kiriakakis, and others, which are a result of transcription errors or regional dialects. The Kyriacopoulos family has a long history dating back to the Byzantine Empire, with many notable figures in Greek history bearing this surname. Notable Kyriacopouloses include Athanasios Kyriakoupolis, a revolutionary during the Greek War of Independence, and Georgios Kyriakos, a prominent archaeologist. The name's popularity has also spread to other parts of the world due to Greek migration, with significant populations in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "kyriacopoulos"
• 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 : 25 July 2025