Lithuanian surnames carry deep historical and cultural significance, often reflecting nature, occupations, personal traits, or ancestral roots.
Whether you’re researching your family history, curious about Lithuanian heritage, or just love names, this list will guide you through the most common and meaningful Lithuanian last names; categorized for easy exploration.
Nature-Inspired Surnames
Lithuania’s lush forests, rivers, and wildlife have greatly influenced its surnames.
- Adomaitis – Derived from “Adomas” (Adam), meaning “son of Adam.”
- Baltrūnas – From “baltas” (white) + “rūta” (rue flower), meaning “white rue.”
- Beržas – Means “birch tree,” symbolizing resilience.
- Dubinskas – From “dubuo” (oak), meaning “from the oak grove.”
- Ežeras – Means “lake,” likely referring to someone living near one.
- Girnis – Derived from “giria” (forest), meaning “forest dweller.”
- Jankauskas – From “Jonas” (John) + “-auskas,” meaning “son of John.”
- Kazlauskas – A patronymic from “Kazys,” meaning “son of Kazys.”
- Lapinskas – From “lapė” (fox), possibly meaning “fox-like” or “clever.”
- Liepa – Means “linden tree,” a sacred tree in Lithuanian folklore.
Occupational Surnames
Many Lithuanian surnames stem from traditional jobs.
- Kalėda – Related to “Kalėdos” (Christmas), possibly for someone involved in winter festivities.
- Kailis – Means “fur,” likely referring to a furrier.
- Kavaliauskas – From “kavalierius” (horseman or knight).
- Kepūraitis – From “kepuras” (hat), possibly a hat maker.
- Kubilius – Derived from “kubilas” (cooper or barrel maker).
- Meistaras – Means “master,” often a skilled craftsman.
- Melninkas – From “milti” (to grind), meaning “miller.”
- Paltininkas – From “paltas” (coat), possibly a tailor.
- Ragaisis – From “ragas” (horn), maybe a horn-maker or musician.
- Šaltinis – Means “blacksmith,” from metalworking.
Patronymic & Ancestral Surnames
These surnames indicate lineage or family ties.
- Andriuškevičius – “Son of Andrius.”
- Antanavičius – “Son of Antanas.”
- Baranauskas – Derived from “baranas” (ram), possibly a nickname.
- Butkus – From “butas” (home), meaning “house owner.”
- Dambrauskas – “Son of Dambras” (a personal name).
- Gudaitis – Means “son of a Belarusian” (historically “Gudas”).
- Janušauskas – “Son of Janušas.”
- Jurevičius – “Son of Jurgis” (George).
- Markevičius – “Son of Markas.”
- Petrauskas – “Son of Petras.”
Descriptive & Nickname-Based Surnames
These surnames often describe personality or appearance.
- Baltrušaitis – From “baltas” (white) + “rušėti” (to become gray), possibly fair-haired.
- Didžulis – Means “huge” or “great.”
- Gražulis – From “gražus” (beautiful).
- Juodgalvis – “Black head,” possibly dark-haired.
- Mažylis – Means “small” or “youngest.”
- Naujokas – From “naujas” (new), perhaps a newcomer.
- Pilkis – Means “gray,” possibly referring to hair color.
- Storasis – Means “stout” or “large.”
- Trumpis – Means “short.”
- Vilkas – Means “wolf,” symbolizing strength.
Location-Based Surnames
These surnames indicate geographical origins.
- Aukštikalnis – “High hill.”
- Dainius – From “dainos” (songs), possibly a singer.
- Kalnietis – “From the mountains.”
- Kairys – Means “left-handed” or “left side.”
- Pakalnis – “At the foot of the hill.”
- Pavardenis – From “pavardė” (surname), possibly an official.
- Pilaitis – From “pilis” (castle), meaning “castle dweller.”
- Sodaitis – From “sodas” (garden).
- Užupis – Means “beyond the river.”
- Žemaitis – Refers to a Samogitian (from Žemaitija).
Mythological & Symbolic Surnames
Some names have deeper cultural or legendary roots.
- Aušra – Means “dawn,” symbolizing new beginnings.
- Dievas – Means “God,” possibly a spiritual surname.
- Gintaras – Means “amber,” Lithuania’s “gold.”
- Laima – Named after the Baltic goddess of fate.
- Mėnulis – Means “moon.”
- Perkūnas – Named after the Baltic thunder god.
- Rasa – Means “dew,” symbolizing freshness.
- Saulė – Means “sun,” a central figure in Baltic mythology.
- Vėjūnas – From “vėjas” (wind).
- Žvaigždė – Means “star.”
Military & Warrior-Inspired Surnames
Lithuania’s history of battles and knights influenced many strong surnames.
- Kareivis – Means “soldier” or “warrior.”
- Kardas – From “kardas” (sword), possibly a swordsman.
- Kovalenko (Lithuanized) – From “kovoti” (to fight).
- Riteris – Means “knight.”
- Šaulys – Means “shooter” or “archer.”
- Vaidila – A pagan priest-warrior in ancient Lithuania.
- Vėtra – Means “storm,” symbolizing fierceness.
- Vytautas – A historic grand duke’s name, meaning “leading the people.”
- Žygimantas – Combines “žygis” (campaign) + “manta” (wealth), meaning “warrior of fortune.”
- Žvalas – Means “scout” or “spy.”
Agricultural & Farming Surnames
Many surnames reflect Lithuania’s agrarian roots.
- Arlauskas – From “arlas” (plowman).
- Dirgėla – From “dirva” (field), meaning “farmer.”
- Jovaiša – Related to “jovaras” (barley).
- Kviečia – Means “wheat.”
- Pienius – From “pienas” (milk), possibly a dairy farmer.
- Rugys – Means “rye.”
- Sėjūnas – From “sėti” (to sow), meaning “sower.”
- Sodžius – Means “village” or “homestead.”
- Varža – Means “fence,” possibly a landowner.
- Žemė – Means “earth” or “land.”
Animal-Inspired Surnames
Animals play a big role in Lithuanian symbolism.
- Bebras – Means “beaver,” a hardworking animal.
- Briedis – Means “deer,” symbolizing grace.
- Erelis – Means “eagle,” representing freedom.
- Kumelė – Means “mare” (female horse).
- Lapė – Means “fox,” often for clever individuals.
- Laukinis – From “laukas” (field), possibly “wild animal.”
- Lūšis – Means “lynx,” a stealthy creature.
- Šernas – Means “wild boar,” symbolizing strength.
- Vilkas – (Reiterated) Means “wolf,” a national symbol.
- Žąsis – Means “goose,” possibly a poultry keeper.
Religious & Spiritual Surnames
Christianity and pagan traditions shaped many last names.
- Angelaitis – Derived from “angelas” (angel).
- Dievaitis – From “dievas” (god).
- Krikščionis – Means “Christian.”
- Maldininkas – Means “prayerful person.”
- Naujokaitis – From “naujokas” (newcomer, possibly a convert).
- Raganius – From “ragas” (horn) or “ragana” (witch).
- Sielius – From “siela” (soul).
- Velnis – Means “devil,” possibly a rebellious nickname.
- Vėlė – Means “ghost” or “spirit.”
- Žynys – Means “pagan priest” or “wise man.”
Unique & Rare Lithuanian Surnames
These names are less common but culturally rich.
- Džiugas – A type of Lithuanian cheese, possibly a dairy worker.
- Gandras – Means “stork,” a symbol of family.
- Giraitis – From “gira” (forest), meaning “forest dweller.”
- Kreivis – Means “crooked,” possibly a nickname.
- Lingys – Means “heather,” a resilient plant.
- Mėlynas – Means “blue,” possibly referring to eye color.
- Pūkas – Means “fluff” or “soft hair.”
- Skardžius – From “skardis” (cliff), meaning “cliff-dweller.”
- Tyla – Means “silence,” perhaps a reserved person.
- Vingis – Means “bend,” possibly referring to a river curve.
Modern & Simplified Lithuanian Surnames
Some names evolved for easier pronunciation.
- Astrauskas – From “astras” (sharp).
- Brazauskas – A famous Lithuanian president’s surname.
- Grigas – Shortened from “Grigorijus” (Gregory).
- Jonaitis – Modern form of “Jonas” (John).
- Leonas – Means “lion,” a strong modern name.
- Mikus – Short for “Mikalojus” (Nicholas).
- Paulauskas – From “Paulius” (Paul).
- Simkus – Shortened from “Simonas” (Simon).
- Tamošaitis – From “Tomas” (Thomas).
- Urbonas – From “urbana” (urban), meaning “city-dweller.”
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Final Thoughts
Lithuanian surnames are more than just identifiers; they tell stories of nature, ancestry, professions, and even personality traits. Whether your last name is Baltrūnas (white rue flower), Šaulys (archer), or Vilkas (wolf), each carries a piece of Lithuania’s rich heritage.
Do you recognize any of these surnames in your family tree? Or perhaps you’ve discovered a new favorite? Let me know in the comments; I’d love to hear your thoughts!