Last Name Vlahos

The surname Vlahos is of Greek origin. It derives from the Byzantine Greek term "Vlachos," which translates to "Walachian" or "Wallachian" in English. Historically, the term was used to denote people from Wallachia, a region in Southeastern Europe, presently known as Romania. The surname Vlahos is one of several Greek surnames that originated from ethnic groups or regions beyond Greece and were later adopted by Greek speakers.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Vlahos

The meaning and origin of the last name Vlahos

The surname Vlahos is of Greek origin, derived from the word "Vlach" or "Valach," which historically referred to nomadic shepherds, primarily in Southeastern Europe, who spoke a Romanian-like dialect. In Greece, the term evolved to signify people from Epirus, a region on the western Balkan peninsula that has a long history of cultural exchange with neighboring countries. Over time, the name became a hereditary surname for families originating from this region or associated with the Vlach community in Greece. Notable individuals with the surname Vlahos include Greek Prime Minister Constantine Vlahos and footballer Stelios Vlahokostas.

Geographical distribution of the last name Vlahos

The surname Vlahos is primarily associated with Greece, where it originates from the Greek word "Vlachos," meaning "Walled" or "From the walls." It is common among the Greek population, particularly in regions such as Macedonia, Thrace, and the Peloponnese. However, due to Greek migration, Vlahos can also be found in various other countries with significant Greek diaspora communities, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa. In these countries, the surname often reflects Greek ancestry or heritage.

Variants and spellings of the last name Vlahos

The surname Vlahos, which is of Greek origin, has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration and regional dialects. Some common variants include Vlachos, Vlahou, Vlahoudis, Vlahogiannis, Vlahopoulos, and Vlahojannis. Other spellings may also exist depending on the specific language or transliteration method used, such as Buchler, Bouklas, Blacher, or Buklar in some non-Greek languages. The name originates from the word "Vlach" which historically referred to a Romano-Greek pastoral people and is derived from Latin "valachus", meaning "dweller in the mountains."

Famous people with the last name Vlahos

Notable individuals with the surname Vlahos include:

1. John Vlahos (born 1943), a British historian and academic specializing in ancient Greek history and archaeology. He has authored several books on these topics.

2. George Vlahos (1870-1956), an American sculptor of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for his marble busts of notable figures such as Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson.

3. Nikos Vlahos (born 1945), a Greek computer scientist and mathematician who has made significant contributions to the field of artificial intelligence. He is a professor at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

4. Dimitri Vlahos (born 1983), an Australian actor best known for his roles in television shows such as "Home and Away" and "Underbelly".

5. Peter Vlahos (born 1957), a Canadian author, playwright, and screenwriter who has written for television series including "The X-Files", "The L Word", and "ReGenesis".

These individuals have achieved success in various fields such as academia, art, acting, and writing.

Genealogical research on the last name Vlahos

The Vlahos surname is a Greek patronymic derived from the given name "Vlasios," which means "strong" or "powerful." It's widely distributed throughout Greece and Cyprus, reflecting its deep historical roots in these regions. The family name may also be found among the Greek diaspora due to immigration waves, particularly to the United States, Australia, and other Western countries, starting from the late 19th century. Notable figures with the surname Vlahos include Aristotle Vlahos, a renowned scholar of ancient Greek literature, and Yiannis Vlahos, a prominent Greek musician. The name's variations can include Vlasis, Vlassis, and Vasiliou, among others, depending on regional dialect and spelling conventions. Genealogical research into the Vlahos family can benefit from exploring census records, immigration databases, and church records for various geographical locations to trace the family's lineage and migration patterns over time.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Vlahos"
• 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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