Last Name Lup

The surname Lup has origins rooted in several different countries and cultures. In Romania, it is derived from the word "lup," meaning wolf in Romanian language, and was likely used as an occupational name for a shepherd or hunter. In other parts of Europe, such as Italy, Hungary, and Poland, Lup can also be a variant of the Latin name "Lupus" (meaning wolf) or a short form of various given names containing "lup-," like Ludovicus or Wolfgang. It's important to note that surnames often have multiple origins, so it's possible for the Lup family name to stem from one or more of these sources depending on specific regional and historical contexts.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Lup

The meaning and origin of the last name Lup

The surname Lup is of Romanian and Slavic origin, derived from various roots that mean "wolf" in both languages. In Romanian, "lup" is a direct translation of the Latin word "lupus," meaning wolf. The name could have been given to someone who was thought to resemble a wolf physically or exhibited characteristics associated with wolves, such as courage and cunningness. On the other hand, in Slavic languages, the surname Lup can also be derived from words like "luk" in Serbo-Croatian and Polish, which means "onion," although this is less common than the wolf origin theory. The name has been borne by notable figures throughout history, including Romanian writers Mihai Eminescu and Ion Luca Caragiale.

Geographical distribution of the last name Lup

The surname Lup has a significant distribution across various regions, with notable concentrations in Romania and Moldova due to its Slavic-derived origins. Historically, the name was commonly found among the Vlach populations in the southern Carpathian Mountains. Outside of Eastern Europe, the Lup surname can also be found in diaspora communities, particularly in countries with a strong Romanian or Moldovan immigrant presence, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Western Europe. In these locations, variations of the name may exist, including but not limited to Lupe, Lupo, Lupi, and de Luppis, among others. The global dispersal of the Lup surname reflects historical migrations and cultural exchange over time.

Variants and spellings of the last name Lup

The surname Lup has several variations and spelling derivatives in English and other languages. Some common spelling variations include Loup, de Loup, Lupa, Lupp, Lupe, and DeLoup. In some cases, the name may also be translated or transcribed as Wolfe, Wolf, or Wulf in Germanic languages, as Lobo in Spanish-speaking countries, or as Loup-Garou (which translates to werewolf) in French. Additionally, it is worth noting that Lup can be found as a given name in some cultures, although its use as a surname is more common. The origin of the name Lup is not definitively known, but it may derive from various sources including Latin (lupus, meaning wolf), Old Norse (ulfr or ulf), or Germanic (Wulf).

Famous people with the last name Lup

Notable individuals with the surname Lup include:

1. Michel Luporini (born 1947), a French professional football player who played for Olympique Lyonnais and Stade Rennais.
2. Luciana Lupi (born 1965), an Italian type designer and partner at Typotheque, a type foundry based in the Netherlands.
3. Florin Cioabă Lup (born 1987), a Moldovan professional footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Botoșani in the Romanian Liga I.
4. Răzvan Lupp (born 1995), a Romanian professional football player who plays as a defender for the Romanian national team and Dinamo București.
5. Simona Lupoaiceanu (born 1997), a Romanian athlete specializing in middle-distance running, who competed at the 2016 Olympics.

Genealogical research on the last name Lup

The surname Lup, of Romance origin, is derived from the Latin word 'lupus,' meaning wolf. It is primarily associated with several European countries, notably Italy, Romania, and Hungary. In Italy, the Lup family originated from the region of Emilia-Romagna, particularly in the cities of Ferrara and Bologna, where they were prominent during the Middle Ages. In Romania, the Lup name is frequent in Transylvania and Moldavia, often linked to noble or warrior families. The Hungarian variant, Lupp, is less common but also has roots in medieval Hungary, particularly among the Magyar tribes. Notable figures with this surname include the Italian painter Girolamo Lupi (1672-1744), Romanian politician Vasile Lucaciu-Lup (1859-1938), and Hungarian actor László Lupp (1903-1944).

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Lup"
• 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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