Last Name Vlaicu

The last name Vlaicu is of Romanian origin. It is derived from a diminutive form of the given name Vlaică, which itself is a diminutive of the name Vlat, meaning "to rule" or "powerful". This name was common among the Vlachs, a Romance-speaking people who inhabited the Carpathian Mountains and the Balkan Peninsula. The Vlachs are believed to have originated from Roman colonists and slaves who escaped into the mountains after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Over time, the name Vlaicu spread across Romania and neighboring countries as the Vlach population migrated.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Vlaicu

The meaning and origin of the last name Vlaicu

The surname Vlaicu originates from Romania, specifically from the historical region of Muntenia. It is derived from the Romanian given name Vlaică, which means "shepherd" or "herdsman." The name Vlaică itself has Slavic origins, with roots in the Old Slavonic word 'volok' meaning "cattle."

Over time, as nomadic shepherds settled and families began to form permanent communities, surnames became a necessity for identification. In many cases, the occupation of a family's patriarch would serve as the basis for their surname. This is thought to be the case with Vlaicu, as it likely originated from a person whose primary occupation was tending livestock.

The name Vlaicu has been borne by notable figures in Romanian history, such as Vlaicu Bărbulescu, a hero of the 1821 Wallachian Revolution and a national symbol of bravery and resistance against Ottoman rule. Today, the surname is common among the Romanian population, with variations such as Vlăduţ, Vlaiculescu, Vlădescu, and others.

Geographical distribution of the last name Vlaicu

The last name Vlaicu is predominantly found in Romania, particularly in the southern and western regions such as Oltenia, Muntenia, and Transylvania. It is also present to some extent in Moldova, a country with close historical ties to Romania. The name has its roots in the Romanian language and means "shepherd" or "cowherd." The diaspora of Romanians, including those bearing the surname Vlaicu, can be found across Europe, North America, Australia, and South America, with significant communities in countries like Canada, the United States, and Spain. In these locations, the name may appear in various transliterations or derivatives depending on local linguistic conventions.

Variants and spellings of the last name Vlaicu

The surname Vlaicu, of Romanian origin, has several variations and spellings due to differences in translation, transcription, and regional pronunciation. Some of these variants include: Vlăicu, Vlaicu, Vlaicou, Vlaitchco, Vlaics, Vlajcsu, Flaciu, and Flăciu. These variations may also be found with diacritical marks or without them, depending on the system used for transcribing Romanian into other languages. It is important to note that while these spellings may differ, they all originate from the same root name, which is derived from the Romanian word "vălăc" meaning "woolen cloth". This surname is relatively uncommon outside of Romania but is most prevalent in regions such as Muntenia and Oltenia.

Famous people with the last name Vlaicu

Notable individuals sharing the surname Vlaicu include:

1. Henri Coandă (1886-1972), a Romanian engineer and physicist, best known for his work in fluid dynamics, aeronautical engineering, jet propulsion, and turbomachinery. He invented the Coandă-1910, one of the world's first delta winged aircraft, and the Coandă-1929 jet engine.

2. Dumitru Dotman Vlaicu (1872-1913), a Romanian inventor who designed the Vlaicu II, an early powered airplane which made its first flight in 1910 and was the first airplane built in Romania.

3. Mihai Vlaicu (1946-2012), a Romanian composer and conductor of classical music, known for his symphonic works and operas. He was the artistic director of the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra between 1987 and 2006.

These three figures have made significant contributions in their respective fields, leaving a lasting impact on Romanian history and beyond.

Genealogical research on the last name Vlaicu

The Vlaicu surname is primarily associated with Romania and Moldova, originating from the Romanian word "vlasac" meaning "shepherd". One of the most notable figures bearing this surname is Vlad Tzintzar Vlaicu, a Wallachian voivode (prince) in the 17th century. He was a younger brother of Prince Vlad III the Impaler and ruled Wallachia for brief periods between 1594 and 1602. The Vlaicu lineage has a significant presence in Transylvania, particularly in the areas of Harghita and Mureș counties. In Moldova, the Vlaicu clan was predominantly situated in Orhei and Soroca districts. The Vlaicu family tree is rich with various branches, reflecting a long history that stretches across centuries, making it an intriguing subject for genealogical research.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Vlaicu"
• 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 : 13 June 2025

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