Last Name Pascaru

Learn more about the origin of the last name Pascaru

The meaning and origin of the last name Pascaru

The surname Pascaru is a Romanian patronymic derived from the given name Pascal (or Pavel, which can be translated to Paul in English), indicating that it was originally bestowed upon someone who was named after Saint Paul or whose forefather bore the name. This patronymic naming convention is common in Slavic and Romance languages, with -aru being a Romanian suffix denoting a person originating from a specific place or descending from a specific individual. The term "Pascaru" is believed to have originated during the Middle Ages, likely among populations who adopted Christianity under the rule of Prince Vlad the Impaler (1456-1476), as Paul was one of the apostles and early Christian martyrs. Over time, the surname Pascaru spread throughout Romania and its neighboring regions. It is also present in Moldova, Transnistria, Ukraine, and other countries with significant Romanian diaspora communities.

Geographical distribution of the last name Pascaru

The surname Pascaru has its origins primarily in Romania, where it is most prevalent and widely distributed. It is particularly concentrated in the eastern regions such as Moldova and Muntenia, reflecting the historical and cultural influences of these areas. Beyond Romania, significant populations of individuals bearing the name Pascaru can also be found in Moldavia, a region that is now divided between Moldova and Ukraine. Smaller numbers of people with this surname can be encountered in other countries with Romanian diaspora communities, including the United States, Canada, Spain, Italy, and Germany. This geographical distribution suggests a historical connection to Romania and Moldavia, with some dispersal through migration over time.

Variants and spellings of the last name Pascaru

The surname Pascaru has various spellings and forms across different regions and language contexts. Here are some of the most common variations:

1. Pascaru - This is one of the most common variants, with "a" replacing the "u" at the end.
2. Pascarescu - A less common variation, where an additional "-escu" is added to the original name.
3. Pascariu - In this spelling, the final "u" is replaced by a "iu."
4. Pascal - This is a more anglicized form of the name, often found among Romanians who have emigrated to English-speaking countries.
5. Pasco - Another variant, where the "a" is replaced with an "o."
6. Pastaru - A less common spelling that may be found in some cases.
7. Pascar - This variant removes the final "u," making it a shorter form of the name.
8. Paschara/Paschar - These variants are found mostly among speakers of languages other than Romanian, where the original pronunciation might have been altered due to phonetic changes in those languages.

Famous people with the last name Pascaru

Notable individuals sharing the surname Pascaru include:

1. Andrei Pascaru (born 1976), a Moldovan professional footballer who played as a defender for clubs such as Sheriff Tiraspol and CSKA Moscow, and earned over 80 caps for the Moldova national team.
2. Elena Pascaru (1951-2015), a renowned Moldovan opera singer known for her powerful mezzo-soprano voice, who performed in numerous prestigious operas worldwide.
3. Ilie Pascu (born 1946), a Romanian mathematician and computer scientist, prominent in the field of graph theory and network analysis. He is a fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM).
4. Ruxandra Pascaru (born 1957), a Moldovan-born American artist who creates works that explore themes of identity, cultural heritage, and social issues, exhibiting her art in galleries and museums internationally.
5. Ion Pascu (1904-1986), a Romanian general during World War II who fought against the Axis powers and played a significant role in Romania's postwar reorganization of its military.

Genealogical research on the last name Pascaru

The Pascaru surname is predominantly found in Romania and Moldova, with its origins traceable to the region of Moldavia. Historically, the name derives from the Romanian word "pascar," meaning shepherd or herdsman. The first recorded instances of the surname can be traced back to the 16th century in Moldavian records. Over time, the Pascaru family expanded across Romania and into neighboring regions, such as Transylvania and Wallachia. In the following centuries, many Pascarus emigrated from Romania and Moldova, establishing communities in countries like the United States, Canada, France, Spain, Australia, and Israel. The Pascaru surname is particularly common among the Romanian Moldavans, an ethnic group native to Moldavia who have preserved their unique cultural identity throughout history.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Pascaru"
• 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 : 13 June 2025