Last Name Vas

The surname Vas has roots in various regions, but it is most commonly associated with Slavic countries such as Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus. In these regions, Vas (often spelled Vasev or Vasiev) is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Vasily (also known as Basil), which means "king" or "reigns well" in Greek. The name Vasily became popular among Slavic peoples due to the veneration of Saint Basil the Great, a prominent early Christian figure who lived in the 4th century and is considered one of the Doctors of the Church. As a patronymic surname, Vas would have been given to individuals whose fathers were named Vasily. However, it's important to note that surnames can have multiple origins and variations, so the exact history of individual families with the name Vas may differ based on their specific lineage.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Vas

The meaning and origin of the last name Vas

The surname Vas originates from Slavic cultures, particularly among Eastern European populations such as Russians, Ukrainians, and Bulgarians. It is an occupational name derived from the Old East Slavic word "vas" or "vosk," which means "forest" or "beehive." Initially, individuals bearing this surname may have been associated with forestry work, beekeeping, or lived near a wooded area. Over time, the name became hereditary and spread beyond its original geographical region. Variations of the name include Vas', Vaz, Vasz, and Wasz.

Geographical distribution of the last name Vas

The surname Vas has a significant presence across various regions due to its historical and cultural origins in Eastern Europe. Primarily, it is most common in countries like Russia, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, and Hungary, reflecting the geographical spread of these nations. Additionally, there are noticeable populations bearing the name Vas in other European countries, including Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, likely due to historical migrations or assimilation. Beyond Europe, there is a sizable Vas diaspora in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States, where Eastern European immigrants have settled over time. This global dispersion of the name Vas highlights its historical and cultural roots while demonstrating the impact of migration on surname distribution.

Variants and spellings of the last name Vas

The surname Vas has multiple variations and spellings due to differences in regional pronunciation and translation, as well as changes over time. Here are some common variations:

1. Vaz: This is a popular Portuguese and Indian (Konkani) variant of the name.
2. Wass: An alternative spelling that originates from Scandinavian countries.
3. Wasz: Another variation, which is more common in Central European regions like Poland or Slovakia.
4. Voss: A Norwegian and German variant of the name.
5. Vasu: In Indian culture, a Sanskrit-based variation that translates to "power" or "strength."
6. Baz: This spelling can be found in Arabic communities as a possible phonetic equivalent of the original name.
7. Bas: A shorter form that may appear in various cultures due to assimilation or simplification processes.

Famous people with the last name Vas

Among the notable individuals bearing the surname Vas are:

1. Mikhail Vasilyevich Vasilenko, a Russian cosmonaut who served as an engineer and flight controller at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center. He was part of the backup crew for Soyuz TM-17 mission in 1990.

2. Nikolay Ivanovich Vasilyev (1831-1888), a Russian painter and academician, known for his genre and historical paintings such as "The Last Supper" and "The Fall of Constantinople."

3. Alexei Leontevich Vasilyev (1904-1975), a Soviet cosmonaut who was the backup for Yuri Gagarin during the first human spaceflight in 1961.

4. Valeri Vasilev (born 1961), a Bulgarian football player who played as a defender and midfielder, and is currently the head coach of Botev Plovdiv. He won multiple awards during his playing career, including three Bulgarian Footballer of the Year awards.

5. Svetlana Vasilenko (born 1978), a Russian former tennis player who reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 3 in 2002. She won five WTA singles titles and represented Russia in four Olympic Games.

Genealogical research on the last name Vas

The surname Vas originates from various regions, primarily Central and Eastern Europe. In Hungary, it is derived from the given name Vazul, a medieval prince. In Romania, it is a patronymic derived from the personal name Vasile, meaning "king" in Romanian. In Serbia and Croatia, it stems from the Slavic masculine name Vasko or Vasilije. The surname can also be found among Ashkenazi Jewish families, where it may have origins in Hebrew names such as "Va'es," meaning "and he was." In some cases, it could also be a short form of the name Isaak or Jacob. Notable individuals with this last name include Hungarian physicist Ludwig Wittgenstein, Serbian footballer Dusan Vasovic, and Romanian politician Nicolae Vasilescu-Karpen.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Vas"
• 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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