Last Name Vlahovic

The surname Vlahović originates from the South Slavic region, primarily Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia. The name is derived from the Old Slavic word "Vlah" or "Volhynian," which means a Slav living in Volhynia, an ancient region that spanned parts of present-day Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. In this context, the term was used to denote Eastern Orthodox Slavs who lived among the Western Latin Catholic population, especially during the Middle Ages. Over time, the surname Vlahović has become a common name in many South Slavic countries, particularly those with an Orthodox Christian heritage.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Vlahovic

The meaning and origin of the last name Vlahovic

The surname Vlahović is primarily found in Southeastern Europe, particularly among Croats and Bosniaks. It's derived from the Slavic personal name Vlaho, which means "a Roman" or "a Latin." In historical contexts, it was often used to denote people who were not Slavs but originated from the Byzantine Empire, known as Vlachs. Over time, this personal name evolved into a surname, indicating ancestry or place of origin. The termination "-ović" is a common Slavic patronymic suffix, meaning "son of," which was added to the personal name to create a surname.

Geographical distribution of the last name Vlahovic

The surname Vlahović is predominantly found in the Balkan region, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, and North Macedonia. It originates from the Slavic ethnicity and is a variant of the name Vlaḥ or Vlach, denoting a historical group of people who were largely nomadic shepherds or merchants in the Balkans during the Middle Ages. The distribution of this surname reflects the historic migration patterns and cultural influences of the Vlachs in the region. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Vlahović is one of the most common surnames, while in Croatia it ranks among the top 20. In Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia, its frequency varies regionally, but it remains relatively common compared to other European countries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Vlahovic

The surname Vlahović can have several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration and local conventions. Here are some of the most common forms:

1. Vlahovich
2. Vlahovic
3. Vlahoвич
4. Vlahovič
5. Vlachović (Croatian Latin alphabet)
6. Vlahovici
7. Vlahovitch
8. Vlachovich
9. Vlachovici
10. Vlachovitch

These variations are based on the original Serbian/Croatian surname, which is derived from the word "Vlah" meaning "Walachian," a term historically used to refer to Romanians or people of Romanian descent.

Famous people with the last name Vlahovic

Notable individuals with the surname Vlahović include:

1. Ivan Vlahović (born 1996), a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Cagliari Calcio and the Croatia national team.
2. Marko Vlahović (born 1978), a Serbian professional basketball coach and former player, currently coaching Olimpija Ljubljana of the Slovenian Basketball League.
3. Zoran Vlahović (born 1963), a Serbian actor known for his work in television and film, including the role of Dr. Dragomir "Dragutin" Arsenjević in the popular Yugoslav TV series "Srećni људи".
4. Mihajlo Vlahović (1863-1925), a Serbian architect and university professor who contributed to the modernization of architecture education in Serbia, and designed several important buildings in Belgrade.
5. Aleksandar Vlahović (born 1976), a Serbian politician who served as the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management in the Serbian government from 2014 to 2016.

These individuals have made significant contributions in their respective fields, spanning sports, entertainment, academia, and politics.

Genealogical research on the last name Vlahovic

The surname Vlahović originates from South Slavic regions, specifically in what is now Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The name is derived from the term "Vlach," which historically referred to Romani people or shepherds. The Vlahović family has been traced back to medieval times, with several notable bearers of the name appearing in records from the 15th century onwards. In Croatia, the surname is most commonly found in the regions of Dalmatia and Lika, while in Bosnia and Herzegovina it is prevalent in the areas of Bosanska Krajina and Eastern Herzegovina. The name Vlahović has several variations, including Vlahovič, Vlahović, Vlahovic, and others, due to differences in spelling over time and across regions.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "vlahovic"
• 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 : 30 July 2025

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