Last Name Paulus

The surname Paulus (or Paul) is of Latin origin and is a variant of the masculine given name Paul. In Roman times, it was derived from the Latin name Paulus, which means "small" or "humble". It became popular as a surname in many European countries, particularly in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and England. The name was often given to people born during the feast of Saint Paul, one of the most important saints in Christian history.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Paulus

The meaning and origin of the last name Paulus

The surname Paulus is of Latin origin, derived from the given name Paulus, which means "small" or "humble." Originating in ancient Rome, it was a common name among Christians due to Saint Paul, an influential figure in early Christianity and one of the New Testament writers. As personal names were often passed down through generations, many individuals with the given name Paulus eventually adopted it as their surname. Over time, variations of the name, such as Paul, Pavel, or Paulo, emerged across different cultures and regions, reflecting the spread of Latin influence and Christianity throughout Europe. Today, the surname Paulus is found among people of diverse backgrounds worldwide.

Geographical distribution of the last name Paulus

The surname Paulus is predominantly of Latin origin, derived from the given name Paul, which is common in Christian cultures. Its geographical distribution reflects this historical context. The highest concentrations of individuals bearing the name Paulus can be found in countries with significant Catholic populations, such as Portugal, Spain, and some parts of France. In Europe, it is also common in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and the Netherlands due to historical Germanic influences.

Outside Europe, Paulus is prevalent in countries with a strong Dutch or French colonial legacy, including Brazil, Suriname, and some Caribbean islands. It can also be found in North America among descendants of European immigrants, particularly in the United States and Canada. In Africa, it is present in South Africa due to Dutch settlers. The name Paulus is less common but still exists in various parts of Asia, mainly due to immigration from Europe over centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Paulus

The surname Paulus has several variations and spellings worldwide. Some common variants include Paul, Pault, Pawle, Paule, Paules, Pawel (in Polish), and Paolo (Italian). Other less common versions might be found in different languages or regional dialects, such as Pavel (Czech), Paulo (Portuguese and Galician), and Paal (Dutch). In French-speaking regions, it may also be spelled as Paule, Pauels, or Poul. The name's origins can be traced back to various languages and cultures; for example, in Latin, Paulus means "small" or "humble," while in Greek, it is derived from the name Pavlos, meaning "revered one." These variations reflect the diverse historical influences that have shaped naming practices across different regions and time periods.

Famous people with the last name Paulus

Notable individuals with the surname Paulus include:

1. Karl Paulus (1879-1963), a German architect who designed several buildings in Munich, including the St. Francis Church and the University Clinic of Orthopedics and Plastic Surgery.
2. Carl Gustav Hempel (1905-1997), born K.C. Paulus, was a German-American philosopher of science, known for his work in the philosophy of science, particularly in the fields of empiricism and the demarcation problem between science and non-science.
3. Franz Xaver von Paula (1784-1865), an Austrian Roman Catholic Cardinal, who served as Bishop of Laibach (now Ljubljana, Slovenia) from 1829 until his death.
4. Paulus Gerke (born 1950), a German football coach and former player, who led the West Germany national team to win the UEFA European Championship in 1996.
5. Michael Paulus (born 1973), an American operatic baritone known for his performances at the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Opera, and Lyric Opera of Chicago.
6. Jürgen Paulus (born 1948), a German former footballer who played as a midfielder for several clubs in Germany and Austria, including Bayern Munich and Rapid Vienna.
7. Rolf M. Paulus (born 1940), a German physicist known for his work on quantum computing and nanophysics at the University of Stuttgart.

Genealogical research on the last name Paulus

The surname Paulus has roots in several countries, primarily Germany and France. It originated as a diminutive form of the given names Paul or Paulus, which are derived from the Latin name Paulus, meaning "small" or "humble." In German-speaking regions, it is often found spelled as Pauly or Paules. The earliest known records of the Paulus family in Germany can be traced back to the 13th century, with mentions in Bavaria and Swabia. Over time, the family expanded across Europe, with significant populations in France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. In France, variants of the name include Paule, Paultier, or Paulusse. Notable figures bearing this surname include Paulus Aemilius Lennartz, a Dutch politician, and Paulus Potter, a 17th-century Dutch Golden Age painter known for his masterpiece "The Young Bull." The Paulus family history is rich and diverse, reflecting the migration patterns of medieval Europe.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Paulus"
• 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 : 11 June 2025

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