Last Name Papageorgopoulos

The surname Papageorgopoulos is a Greek name that can be traced back to the Byzantine Empire period. "Papageorgos" means "priest-george" and was often used as a title for priests who were named George, while "-poulos" or "-oulis" is a common Greek diminutive suffix, meaning little or young. The name Papageorgopoulos could be formed by adding the diminutive suffix to "Papageorgos", indicating a person who was known as the "little son of the priest George".

Learn more about the origin of the last name Papageorgopoulos

The meaning and origin of the last name Papageorgopoulos

The surname Papageorgopoulos is of Greek origin, derived from two distinct Greek names joined together to form a single surname. 'Papas' translates to 'priest', while 'Georgios' means 'George'. The combination 'Papageorgios' represents a person named George who was the son of a priest. Over time, the double 'o' in Georgios may have been replaced with an 'a' or 'ou' in some regions, resulting in variants like Papageorgopoulos, Papageorgiou, or Papageorgas. This surname is common among the Greek Orthodox population and its distribution is predominantly found in Greece and other areas with significant Greek diaspora communities such as Cyprus, United States, Australia, and Canada.

Geographical distribution of the last name Papageorgopoulos

The surname Papageorgopoulos is primarily distributed within Greece and Greek diaspora communities. It originates from the region of Attica, specifically Athens, where it is one of the more common surnames. A significant number of individuals with this last name can be found in cities like Athens, Thessaloniki, and Patras, reflecting its historical roots. Beyond Greece, there are notable Greek communities in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom, where Papageorgopoulos is also found among the population of Greek descent. It's worth noting that due to emigration waves throughout history, this surname can be encountered in various regions worldwide, particularly in urban centers with significant Greek populations.

Variants and spellings of the last name Papageorgopoulos

The surname Papageorgopoulos has several variations and spellings in English, primarily due to differences in transliteration from Greek to Latin characters. Here are some of the commonly found versions:

1. Papageorgiou - This is the most common spelling for the name when transliterated directly from Greek. The "i" at the end is pronounced like an "e," so it sounds similar to Papageorge in English.
2. Papageorgiopoulos - By adding the suffix "-opoulos," which means "descendant of," this variant indicates that the individual is a descendant of Papageorgios.
3. Papageorge - This is a simplified version of the name, in which the Greek "iota subscript" (ι) is replaced with an "i." The original name's pronunciation would not change significantly with this spelling.
4. Papageorgis - This spelling represents a more direct transliteration of the name from Greek to Latin characters but with the "ou" combined into one letter, similar to modern English usage.
5. Papadopapageorgiou - This compound surname combines elements of two distinct surnames in Greece: Papadopoulos (descendant of Papa-Dimos) and Papageorgios (descendant of Papa-George). The repetition of the "Papa" element is a relatively uncommon occurrence.
6. Papageorgiades - This spelling denotes a person who comes from or belongs to the town or region of Papageorgiadis, a common Greek place name.

Famous people with the last name Papageorgopoulos

George Papagena Georgiou Papageorgopoulos (1863-1955) was a Greek general and statesman who served as Prime Minister of Greece three times, making significant contributions to the modernization of the Greek Army. In the field of academia, Dimitrios Sotirios Papageorgiou (1878-1964) made significant advancements in mathematics, particularly in the field of differential geometry, and is considered one of the founders of modern Greek mathematics. Notable in the entertainment industry is Yannis Papageorgiou (born 1936), a renowned Greek actor who has played leading roles in numerous films and television shows, earning him multiple awards for his performances. Lastly, Panos Papageorgiou (born 1974) is a Greek-American composer and musician known for his work with the band M83, winning a Grammy Award for Best Recording Packaging in 2016. These individuals exemplify the diverse achievements and contributions made by people bearing the surname Papageorgopoulos across various fields of endeavor.

Genealogical research on the last name Papageorgopoulos

The surname Papageorgopoulos is of Greek origin, traceable to the Byzantine Empire, with roots in the regions of Macedonia and Epirus. The name combines two distinct elements: 'Papas' (priest) and 'Georgios' (George), signifying a priest or monk named George. Over time, the surname evolved to Papageorgios and eventually Papageorgopoulos, with 'poulos' indicating 'descendant of'. Notable individuals bearing this name include Greek intellectuals and politicians such as Georgios Papageorgiou (1857-1932), a distinguished politician who served as Prime Minister from 1915 to 1920, and Constantine Papageorgiou (1869-1955), a prominent archaeologist and academic. The surname remains common in modern Greece, with variations including Papageorgiou, Papageorgopoulos, and Papapavlopoulos.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "papageorgopoulos"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

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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 : 15 June 2025

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