Last Name Solon

Learn more about the origin of the last name Solon

The meaning and origin of the last name Solon

The surname Solon is of Greek origin, derived from the ancient Greek personal name Solon, which means "wise" or "peaceful." This name was popularized by the legendary Athenian lawgiver and statesman, Solon of Athens, who lived during the 6th century BCE. He enacted a series of political, judicial, and social reforms that helped establish the foundations of democratic governance in ancient Greece. As a result, the name Solon gained significant prestige and spread across regions influenced by Greek culture. Over time, it evolved into a common surname, particularly among people with Greek heritage or connections to the ancient Greek world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Solon

The last name Solon is predominantly distributed across several regions, with significant concentrations in Greece and Portugal. In Greece, it originates from the ancient city-state of Athens, where Solon was a famous lawmaker. In Portugal, it is believed to have roots dating back to Moorish occupation during the Middle Ages.

The name has also spread to other countries as a result of migration, particularly to countries with large Greek or Portuguese communities. These include the United States, Canada, Australia, and South America, particularly Brazil due to its historical ties with Portugal.

In the United States, the highest concentrations of individuals with the last name Solon can be found in states with significant Greek-American populations, such as New York, Illinois, and California. Similarly, in Canada, Ontario and Quebec have higher numbers of people bearing this surname.

Globally, the distribution of the surname Solon reflects historical migrations and cultural influences, highlighting the rich diversity of human mobility across time and space.

Variants and spellings of the last name Solon

The surname Solon has several variations and spellings across different countries and languages. Some common variants include Solan, Solona, Sollon, Solonis, and de Solon. In some cases, it can also be hyphenated or combined with other names, such as Solon-Simons or Solon-Roberts. The original spelling of the name may derive from the Greek Solon, which was a common name in ancient Greece, named after the Athenian lawmaker and politician. However, it's also possible that the surname originated from a place called Solona, which can be found in various regions around the world, including Italy, Spain, and Russia. Additionally, the name could have been Anglicized from similar-sounding foreign names in different languages, such as the French Soulon or the Irish Ó Suilleabháin.

Famous people with the last name Solon

Notable individuals bearing the surname Solon include:

1. Mikis Theodorakis (born Mantzaros), a Greek composer and politician, best known for his resistance music during the Greek military junction and for composing the soundtrack to Zorba the Greek.

2. Themistocles Solomos, an influential Greek Romantic poet, considered the founder of modern Greek literature. His work "Hymn to Liberty" is Greece's national poem.

3. Mihalis Doundoulakis, a contemporary Greek film director and screenwriter who has won numerous awards for his films such as "Dogtooth" and "Albatross."

4. Solon I, also known as King Solon, was the legendary lawgiver of ancient Athens, renowned for creating a written code of laws around 594 BC.

5. Solomon Northup, an American slave who was born into freedom but was later kidnapped and sold into slavery before escaping and writing the memoir "Twelve Years a Slave."

6. Solon E. Summer, an American politician who served as the 30th Governor of Wisconsin from 1925 to 1927.

These individuals have made significant contributions in various fields such as literature, music, politics, and film.

Genealogical research on the last name Solon

The surname Solon originates from ancient Greece and is associated with the legendary lawgiver of Athens, Solon (c. 638-558 BC). However, as a family name, it emerged during the Middle Ages in Italy and Spain. In Italy, it is believed to derive from the town of Solona in Lombardy. The Spanish variant, Salón, comes from the Catalan region and may be related to the medieval occupation of "salao," or a keeper of hounds. Over time, the surname spread throughout Europe with significant populations found in Portugal, France, England, and Germany. Notable bearers of the name include the 16th-century Portuguese navigator Diogo de Sousa Solis, who discovered the island of São Tomé; and the Italian architect Andrea Palladio (1508-1580), renowned for his work in classical architecture. Today, the most common countries with the highest frequency of the last name Solon are Portugal, Spain, Italy, the United States, and Brazil.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Solon"
• 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