Greek American Surnames

Researching Greek-American surnames can be a rewarding journey into your family’s past. Greek names often carry deep meaning and reflect rich cultural traditions. This article will help trace Greek surnames both in the United States and back to Greece by covering historical immigration waves, Greek naming conventions, spelling variations and Anglicizations, and key resources (from Ellis Island to Greek archives).

Understanding Greek naming conventions

Greek surnames are unique in structure and origin. Knowing how they were formed will give you clues for research:

Patronymic Origins: Most Greek surnames originated as patronymics – based on a father’s first name with a suffix meaning “descendant of” or “little”. For example, a man named Ioannis whose father was Nikolaos might have the surname Nikolopoulos, essentially “John, son of Nicholas.” The suffix -opoulos literally means “son of” and is common in some regions. Another example: Papaioannou comes from Papá Ioannis (literally “Priest John’s [family]”), indicating an ancestor who was a priest named John.
Regional Surname Suffixes: Suffix styles often hint at geographic origin. While not absolute, certain endings are strongly associated with regions of the Greek world:

Surname Suffix	Typical Region of Origin
-opoulos	Peloponnese (southern mainland)
-akis	Crete (also common as a diminutive)
-akos, -ias, -eas	Mani (southern Peloponnese)
-atos	Ionian Islands (e.g. Cephalonia)
-elis	Aegean islands like Lesvos
-idis or -ides	Asia Minor (Anatolia) Greeks
-oudis	Northern Greece (Macedonia/Thrace)

These suffixes all mean essentially “descendant of.” For instance, Konstantinidis means “son of Konstantinos (Constantine).” Recognizing a suffix can guide you to the ancestral region (e.g. a name ending in -idis might trace back to Greek communities in present-day Turkey).
Female and Male Forms: In Greek, surnames have gendered forms. A man named Papadopoulos may have a sister or wife listed as Papadopoulou (the feminine form). For example, Papadopoulos (Παπαδόπουλος) means “son of a priest,” while Papadopoulou (Παπαδοπούλου) means “of the priest” and would be used for a woman. In U.S. records, typically the male form was adopted for the whole family, but when working in Greek records you should be aware of these gendered endings.
Prefixes with Meaning: Some surnames start with prefixes that reveal an ancestor’s attribute or status. Papa- (Παπα-) at the beginning of a surname means an ancestor was a priest (e.g. Papadakis – “priest’s child”). Hadzi-/Chatzi- (Χατζη-) indicates an ancestor who made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land (a hadji). Kara- (Καρα-) is from Turkish, meaning “black/dark,” perhaps describing an ancestor’s appearance (e.g. Karayiannis – “Dark John”). Understanding these prefixes can help explain surname origins.
Occupational and Descriptive Names: Not all Greek surnames are patronymic. Many derive from occupations or nicknames. For example, Raptis means “tailor”, Mylonas means “miller,” and Samaras means “saddle-maker” (occupational). A descriptive nickname could become a surname too – Kontos means “short,” so an ancestor called Kontos for his height might pass that name down. Greek priestly surnames often start with Papa- as mentioned (e.g. Papageorgiou – “priest George’s family”). Over generations, these stuck as inherited family names.
Late Adoption of Fixed Surnames: It’s important to note that in rural Greece, fixed hereditary surnames weren’t universally used until the 19th century. In villages, people often went by a given name and a patronymic or nickname. Multiple people in one village might share the same first name, so nicknames (based on father’s name, appearance, occupation, etc.) were used to tell them apart. These nicknames sometimes became new surnames over time. Around the mid-1800s, after Greece’s independence (1830s), the government encouraged families to adopt permanent surnames for record-keeping. Keep this in mind: an ancestor’s family in Greece might have used a different surname or nickname a generation or two earlier, which can present a challenge when tracing the line back before the 1850s.

Key Takeaway: Understanding the structure of Greek names – patronymic roots, regional suffixes, and meaning – will empower your search. It helps you recognize your surname in various forms and know where in Greece to look when you start digging into records abroad.

Greek immigration to the United States

Greek immigration to America occurred in several distinct waves, each relevant to surname research because it affects which records to search and the possible form of the surname:

Early Greek Arrivals (18th–Mid-19th Century): The story begins earlier than many think. The first recorded Greek in what is now the U.S. was Don Teodoro (Theodoros) who landed in Florida in 1528. A more notable early settlement was in 1768, when about 500 Greeks (from Smyrna, Crete, and Mani) founded New Smyrna in Florida. That colony failed, but survivors relocated to St. Augustine, establishing the first permanent Greek community and even a chapel by 1777. During the 1800s, only a small number of Greeks came, often sailors, merchants, or refugees. By 1890 the Greek population in the U.S. was still only around 15,000 , with New Orleans having one of the earliest Greek Orthodox churches (founded in 1864).
Late 19th & Early 20th Century (Great Migration 1890–1924): Mass Greek immigration took off in the 1890s and peaked in the first decades of the 20th century. Between 1890 and 1917, approximately 450,000 Greeks arrived in the U.S. Another 70,000 came between 1918 and 1924. This was part of the broader Great European Migration. Most were young single men (over 90% of Greek immigrants before 1924 were male ) leaving poor rural areas like the Peloponnese (especially Laconia and Arcadia) and some Aegean islands. They sought work in America’s industrial boom. Many initially expected to work for a few years and return home with savings or dowries. However, events like the Balkan Wars, World War I, and especially the Asia Minor Catastrophe (1922) disrupted return plans. The 1923 population exchange between Greece and Turkey expelled Greeks from ancestral homes in Anatolia, meaning many immigrants had no home to go back to. U.S. immigration quotas imposed in 1924 also made leaving riskier, as re-entry was not guaranteed. As a result, a large portion of this wave settled permanently and started families in the U.S., establishing Greek-American communities in cities like New York, Chicago, Boston, Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Tarpon Springs, Florida (The History of Greek Immigration to America – Hellenic American Project).
Between the Wars (1925–1945): After 1924, Greek immigration slowed drastically due to restrictive U.S. immigration laws. Fewer than 30,000 Greeks came in these two decades. Those who did were often “picture brides” (fiancées joining the men who immigrated earlier) or close family members coming over. Researching immigrants from this period might involve more family reunification records and correspondence. Many Greek men from the first wave finally married and settled during this time.
Post-World War II Wave (1945–1980): A second large wave of Greek immigration occurred after WWII. Approximately 211,000 Greeks immigrated from 1945 to 1982, fleeing the devastation of WWII and the Greek Civil War (1946–1949). The peak of this wave was in the 1950s–1960s. These immigrants were more often families, and they revitalized Greek-American communities. For example, New York’s Greek population swelled (Astoria, Queens became a major Greek enclave). Unlike the earlier wave, many post-war immigrants intended to stay and had a easier time preserving Greek identity (establishing Greek-language media, schools, etc.) . Genealogically, these mid-20th century immigrants appear in more modern records (and many are still living or within living memory).
Late 20th and 21st Century: After Greece joined the EU in 1981, Greek immigration to the U.S. slowed to a trickle. Recently, there was a minor uptick around the Greek financial crisis (2010s) with some young professionals moving to the U.S., but this is small compared to earlier waves.

Why this history matters: Knowing roughly when your Greek ancestor came to the U.S. is crucial. It determines where to search for records. For example, someone arriving in 1905 will likely appear in Ellis Island passenger lists and 1910s census records, whereas someone arriving in 1965 might show up in different ports or even airports records, and in later naturalization files. The time period also influences how much they Americanized their name (earlier immigrants under more pressure to assimilate often altered names more than post-1960s immigrants). Keep the immigration period in mind as you proceed.

Spelling variations and name changes of Greek American surnames

One of the biggest hurdles in Greek genealogy is the many forms a single name can take. When Greek names met American record-keepers, a lot got “lost in translation.” Here’s how to tackle these challenges:

Transliteration vs. Translation: Remember that Greek uses a different alphabet. So when immigrants came to the U.S., their names had to be transliterated – spelled out with English letters. There was no single standard for this, and many Greek sounds don’t map neatly to English. A translation changes a word’s meaning to another language, but transliteration changes the letters from one alphabet to another. For example, the Greek surname Oikonomou (Οικονόμου) literally means “steward” or “economist,” but an American record-taker might just try to capture its sound – resulting in spellings like Economou, Ikonomos, or Economos. Our Greek ancestors often adjusted the spelling so Americans could pronounce their name, producing many variant spellings.
Common Letter Variations: Have you spoken your ancestor’s surname aloud in Greek? Think of how it sounds, then imagine how that could be spelled in English. A few common transliteration issues to note:
- The Greek Γ (gamma) before certain vowels sounds like a soft "y", so a name like Γεωργίου might be spelled Georgiou or Yorgiou.
- Greek Mp/Μπ often represents a “B” sound. For instance, Μπάμπης could be written Babis, Mpouris, or Bampis. One real example: a surname Μπριμπάτακος might be transliterated as Birmpatakos, Bribatakos, or even Birbatakos.
- Greek Δ (delta) sounds like “th” in “this.” So Δημήτρης might appear as Dimitris (using D) or Thimitris (using Th), though D is more common. Similarly Θ (theta) becomes “Th” (Theodoros -> Theodore).
- Greek Χ (chi) is a hard “H” sound. Some wrote it as Ch (e.g. Χρήστος -> Christos), others just H (Hristos), or even Xristos.
- Vowel combinations: Greek has letters like αι, ει, οι which can all sound like “ee” and get spelled variously. ου is “oo” (often becomes -os or -ou ending). In short, there was no single correct way to Anglicize the name, so expect the unexpected. It’s wise to search for all plausible phonetic variants of a surname.

Anglicization and Simplification: Beyond raw transliteration, many Greeks changed their names intentionally to better assimilate or make spelling simpler. There were a few common patterns:
- Shortening: Long names were often shortened. For example, Papadopoulos might be shortened to Pappas or Papas – dropping the “-dopoulos” tail. A name like Georgakopoulou could become George. Surnames ending in -idis or -akis were sometimes cut to a shorter root (e.g. Constantinidis to Constant or Makridakis to Makris).
- Phonetic Spelling Changes: Sometimes only a couple letters were altered to sound more English. For instance, the Greek surname Karydis might appear as Caridis (substituting a C for the K, Y to I). Tsakos might become Chakos; Giannopoulos might be Yannopoulos – different first letter, same sound.
- Translation of Meaning: In some cases, immigrants translated their surname’s meaning into English. This was less common for Greeks (compared to some other groups), but it did happen. A classic example: Raptis, which means “tailor” in Greek, was sometimes changed to Taylor. Likewise, someone named Bakogiannis (meaning “John the baker’s son”) might opt for an English surname like Baker. If your family story says the original name was “something like Baker,” consider that the Greek name might relate to baking.
- Adopting Totally New Names: A few immigrants dropped their original surname entirely in favor of an American one. For example, an immigrant named Socrates Papadopoulos could arrive at Ellis Island and decide to call himself Sam Douglas. This was an extreme step usually taken to avoid discrimination or if the person wanted a fresh start. If you suspect this, you’ll have to use personal details (like first names, birthdates, hometowns) to track them rather than the surname alone.
Double Surnames and Nicknames: In Greek villages, it was not uncommon for families to have a second surname or nickname in addition to the official name. Sometimes a man might be known by both his formal surname and a nickname (παρατσούκλι). Greek records, especially church registers or land records, might list both. For example, “Giannis Athanasiou alias Barkas.” When immigrating, some Greeks used one or the other name, which can confuse research. Be open to the possibility that the surname you know might have “alternate identities.” If you’re hitting a wall, consider if your ancestor might be recorded under a different name (perhaps their mother’s maiden, a stepfather’s name, or a village nickname).

Strategies for Handling Name Variations: Always search with flexibility. Use wildcard characters (like * or ?) in databases to catch spelling variants (e.g., search for Papadop* to find Papadopoulos/Papadopulos/Papadopoulou). Try searching by first name and age/year without last name if you suspect a surname is mangled in an index. And research the meaning of the surname – if you know what it means (“priest’s son,” “tailor,” etc.), that could clue you in if you spot an English name with the same meaning. Keep a list of all spelling variants you encounter and use it as a checklist when searching records.

Researching Greek surnames in U.S. records

Your journey should start with U.S. records to gather clues about the original surname spelling and the family’s ancestral hometown. Below are key resources and tips for researching Greek immigrants in America:

Passenger arrival lists (Ellis Island & other ports)

Ellis Island Records (1892–1924): If your ancestor came during the great wave (roughly 1890s–early 1920s), the Ellis Island database is the best starting point. Ellis Island was the main entry point in New York for millions of immigrants. The free Ellis Island Passenger Search (now hosted by the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation) lets you search by name and view digitized ship manifests. Keep in mind spelling variations – try searches with wildcards or alternate spellings due to the reasons discussed above. A successful Ellis Island search can provide a goldmine of information: the manifest often lists the person’s original name, age, hometown or last residence in Europe, destination in the U.S., and sometimes even a relative’s name in the old country. For Greek immigrants, these manifests frequently note the village or island of birth – which is exactly what you’ll need to trace the name back to Greek records. Because of this, Ellis Island records are often the single most important source for Greek-American genealogy.

Tips: Search Ellis Island by both the Anglicized surname and a guess at the original (if you know it). If you can’t find your ancestor, consider that not all Greeks arrived via Ellis Island. Some entered through other ports. The Ellis Island database covers New York arrivals 1892-1924. Greeks also came through Boston, Charleston, New Orleans, Philadelphia, and even Canada. For arrivals before Ellis Island (pre-1892), check Castle Garden records (New York’s earlier immigrant station, 1855-1891) or other port records. After 1924, Greek immigration was smaller, but those who did come still went through major ports (New York, etc.) up until air travel became common. For 1925-1950s arrivals, you might need to use databases on MyHeritage that cover later passenger lists, or even immigration files from the National Archives.

U.S. census records

Federal Census (1900–1950): The U.S. census is invaluable for tracking Greek families over time. Starting with 1900, you may find early Greek immigrants in the census (many single men in boarding houses). The 1910, 1920, and 1930 censuses will show Greek immigrant households as they settled and grew. Key data to collect from census entries: reported year of immigration, naturalization status (e.g. “Al” for alien, “Pa” papers filed, “Na” naturalized), occupations, and family members’ given names (which might be Americanized versions of Greek names). The birthplace column will list “Greece” (sometimes with specific region like “Greece-Turkey” or “Greece-Crete” if the census taker was detailed). Neighbors in ethnic enclaves might be from the same region of Greece, so note if many Greek families in a neighborhood share a hometown in later records – that could hint at your ancestor’s origin.

Census challenges: Greek names were often misspelled by enumerators. Be creative in searching indices: for example, Speros Zakarakis might be indexed under “Spero Zakaraki” or even “Peter Zakar”. Use soundex searches where possible. The 1940 census is the last publicly available one as of 2025; by that time many first-wave immigrants were naturalized and their children (second generation) were present – so you can gather both generations’ info. The census won’t give the precise village in Greece, but it’s a great tool to confirm approximate immigration year and if/when the person became a citizen, which leads to the next resource.

City directories and local records

City directories (like phone books before phones existed) can list your ancestor in the years between censuses. These often show name, address, and occupation. For Greek immigrants, a directory might confirm the spelling of a name at a given time or show if they moved cities. Directories sometimes Anglicized names, but if your ancestor lived among a Greek community, the spelling might be closer to the original. They’re worth checking in the city where your family settled (many are available via local libraries, or MyHeritage for older ones).

Also look at local church records or community club records (some Greek immigrants formed Hellenic social clubs, which might be documented in local archives or newspapers).

Naturalization papers

If your Greek ancestor became a U.S. citizen, the naturalization records are essential. After 1906, U.S. naturalization forms were standardized and very detailed. A typical file includes a Declaration of Intention (first papers) and a Petition for Naturalization. These documents often contain the immigrant’s original name, birth date and birthplace (town and country), and sometimes even the spouse’s name and marriage location. They also sometimes note if the name was changed legally as part of naturalization. For example, the petition might say “name changed from Ioannis Georgopoulos to John George.” This is direct evidence of the surname evolution. Many Greeks filed their first papers a few years after arriving and completed naturalization before or during World War II, especially when the 1920s quotas pressed them to secure their status.

To find naturalization records: check the National Archives (NARA) regional facility for the state where they lived, or use databases on MyHeritage. If they naturalized after 1906 and you can’t find it locally, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Genealogy Program can (for a fee) retrieve records of naturalizations and alien registrations. Don’t forget that women and children might be listed on the husband/father’s naturalization before 1922 (wives automatically became citizens through husbands until laws changed).

If your ancestor did not naturalize, you might find an Alien Registration Form (AR-2) for them in 1940 (when all non-citizens were required to register with the government). Those forms, available through USCIS, include birthplace and other personal details.

World War I & II draft registrations

Many Greek immigrants, especially those who hadn’t yet become citizens, had to register for the draft in the U.S.:

World War I draft (1917-1918): Nearly all men ages 18–45 (including resident aliens) filled out draft cards, whether they served or not. The WWI draft cards for non-citizen Greeks will list them as “alien” and crucially, they often list place of birth (some just say country “Greece,” but many include a town or island). They also list a nearest relative – frequently this is a father or wife back in Greece, and the location of that relative is given. For example, a 1917 draft card might say “Nearest relative: Maria Papadopoulos, Pyrgos, Greece.” This is a huge clue to the family’s hometown. These records are searchable online (e.g. on MyHeritage). Try variant spellings of the name since these cards were handwritten then indexed.
World War II draft (1942): The so-called “Old Man’s Draft” registered men aged 45–64, meaning a lot of first-wave Greek immigrants (born 1877-1897) are included. These 1942 cards often have the place of birth including village/town and country. By 1942, many of these men were citizens, but even for aliens it didn’t matter – all had to register. If your ancestor was born later (up to 1927) they might have registered for the regular WWII draft in 1940 as well. These records too are widely available. A WWII draft card might give you an exact birth town in Greece and confirm the full original name (sometimes they used their original name if they hadn’t Americanized it fully).
Military Service: A smaller number of Greek immigrants or first-generation Greek Americans served in the U.S. Armed Forces (e.g. in WWI or WWII). Military service records (enlistment records, service files) can have personal details. For WWI, the service records might have been lost in the 1973 archive fire, but WWII personnel files can be obtained (if next-of-kin, etc.). If your ancestor served, look for discharge papers or Veterans Administration (VA) records which could list their birthplace and any name changes.

Greek Orthodox Church records in the U.S.

The Greek Orthodox Church was and is the center of Greek-American community life. Church records can be a treasure trove for genealogy, sometimes even more so than civil records, especially in the early years:

Baptismal records: If your Greek ancestors started their family in America, their children’s baptisms would be recorded in the local Orthodox parish register. A baptism record will typically include the child’s name (often both a Greek name and the secular name if different), the date, parents’ names, and the godparents. Crucially, parents’ names might be recorded in Greek, including the mother’s maiden name. For example, a 1915 baptism in a Greek church in Chicago might list the father as “Ioannis Papadopoulos” even if he went by John Pappas in daily life. This can give you the original spelling of the surname in Greek letters.
Marriage records: Early Greek immigrants often married in Orthodox ceremonies. Marriage registers will list the bride and groom (sometimes with parents’ names and birthplaces). If two Greeks married, the record may note their hometowns in Greece and Greek names. If a Greek immigrant married a non-Greek or outside the Orthodox church, consider checking the local civil marriage record or the spouse’s church.
Church archives: Many older Greek parishes eventually send their old record books to diocesan archives or keep them in the church office. You may need to contact the parish or the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese’s local Metropolis archive for access. Provide as much detail as possible (names, dates) when requesting information. Greek churches in America date back to the 1890s in some cities, and their archives can fill gaps not covered by civil records, especially for events before statewide vital registration was enforced.
Other church records: Don’t overlook documents like membership rolls, Greek school enrollment lists, or funeral/memorial lists. The church community kept close track of its members. Even community publications or jubilee albums can have biographical blurbs.

U.S. vital records and other resources

As with any genealogy research, standard vital records will play a role:

Marriage, Birth, Death Certificates: These are typically at county or state level. A death certificate for a Greek immigrant (especially post-1910s) might list parents’ names (sometimes with mother’s maiden name). The informant (perhaps a son or daughter) might not spell the Greek names correctly, but even a rough version can be a lead. A marriage license might list the birthplace (“Greece” or even the town) and confirm the parents’ names.
Obituaries: Check English-language newspapers in the area your family lived for obituaries. An obit might say “born in ______, Greece” or “hailing from a village in Crete,” etc. Also, Greek-American newspapers (like the National Herald / Εθνικός Κήρυξ or local Greek community newsletters) often published community news. If you can find an obituary or wedding announcement in a Greek newspaper, it could have details like hometown or original spelling (albeit written in Greek).
Fraternal Organizations: Greeks formed many organizations such as AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association), founded in 1922. AHEPA chapters, Pan-Cretan Association, Pan-Icarian Brotherhood, etc., often kept member lists and may have archives. If your surname is uncommon, you might find references in these networks or even someone who has compiled information on families from a particular island or village.
Name Change Petitions: Occasionally, if a Greek immigrant legally changed their name in U.S. court (outside of naturalization), there might be a court record of that. For example, in some county court archives you might find a petition, “Georgios Papadopoulos to change name to George Pappas, 1923.” These are rare but worth searching in local court indices if you suspect such a change.

Research Tip: Gather all possible U.S. documentation before jumping to Greece. Each record (census, draft, passenger list, etc.) is like a piece of a puzzle – together they will reveal the original Greek name and the precise place of origin. That information is absolutely necessary to successfully research in Greek records. So exhaust the U.S. sources first. Document every spelling of the surname you find, and note every mention of a town or region in Greece.

Tracing Greek American surnames back to Greece

Once you have a solid handle on your family in America and, critically, have identified who (exact name) and where (which town or island in Greece) to search for, you can begin research in Greek records. This is an exciting stage – you’ll be diving into records maintained in Greece, many in Greek language. Here’s how to approach it:

Identify the hometown and original name

Make sure you have at least one U.S. document that pinpoints the ancestor’s birthplace in Greece – be it a village name from a ship manifest or a draft card that says “Athens” or “Sparti” or maybe something like “Samos Island.” If the name of the town is slightly misspelled in English, try to figure out the correct Greek spelling (for example “Smyrni” is Smyrna/Σμύρνη; “Canea” is Chania/Χανιά). Knowing the prefecture or island can help because many village names are common. If you only have a region (e.g. “Arcadia” or “Macedonia”), you may need to cast a wider net or use family stories to narrow it down. Also, ensure you know the ancestor’s name in Greek. A first name might have been changed (e.g. Vasilios to William, Efthymios to Mike), so confirm the original first name too, as Greek records will use it. Now you’re ready to search in Greece.

Greek civil records (municipal archives)

Greece has several types of civil records useful for genealogy, often kept at the municipal (δήμος) level:

Mitroon Arrenon (Μητρώον Αρρένων) – Male Registers: After Greece became independent (1830s), each community started keeping a register of male citizens. The Mitroon Arrenon is a book listing all males born in the area, by year. It typically includes the male child’s name, father’s name, and birth year (sometimes exact date and village). Essentially, it’s a birth register for sons and an official record for military conscription. For example, if your grandfather was born in 1888 in a village in Laconia, you should find him listed in that village’s male register, with his father’s name. These records sometimes note the family’s official surname – which can confirm you have the right person if you weren’t 100% sure of the name. Mitroon Arrenon books span from about 1840s up to the mid-20th century. They are usually found at the Dimarheion (Town Hall) of the municipality, and copies are often in the local General State Archives (GAK) branch. They are not often digitized or online, so you may need to request a lookup. You can write (in English or Greek) to the municipal office or archive where the village is now administered, providing the man’s full name and birth year. Many archivists in Greece are helpful and can search for you. If you visit Greece, these books can be viewed in person. They are a cornerstone for Greek genealogy research.
Dimotologion (Δημοτολόγιο) – Municipal Family Registers: These are family registration books kept by the city or town. A dimotologion records households: listing the head of family, spouse, children (with birth dates), sometimes with notes on marriage, death, or emigration. Think of it as a running log of the residents of a town by family. If your family remained in Greece, you’d see generations linked. In the case of an emigrant, you might find an annotation like “apodimos” (abroad) or see that they left the register when they emigrated. You usually need to know the exact town (and sometimes the family’s code number used by the municipality). These records are held at the town offices. Access may vary; some towns might provide an official “family record” extract if you prove relation. They are incredibly useful if you connect with cousins in Greece or need to trace siblings of your immigrant ancestor who stayed behind.
Lixiarcheion (Ληξιαρχείο) – Vital Records: Greece started national civil registration in the early 20th century (1925 for births, marriages, deaths in some areas). Earlier, vital events were mainly recorded by churches. However, larger cities had some form of civil record earlier. If your research extends to relatives who remained in Greece, you might use these for 20th-century events. But for the immigrant ancestor born in the 1800s, you’ll rely more on the Mitroon Arrenon and church records.

Greek church records (Orthodox Parish registers)

For events before civil registration, church records are key:

Baptismal Records: Typically kept in each local Orthodox parish. A baptism record will give the baby’s name, baptism date, father’s name, mother’s name (often in genitive form, e.g. “Ioannis son of Dimitrios Papadopoulos and Maria Georgiou”), godparent, and village of residence. These can go back to the mid-19th century or earlier, depending on the area and whether records survived (some areas under Ottoman rule have church books from early 1800s, others lost records in wars). You’ll need to identify the parish – in a small village it’s obvious, in a city there may have been multiple churches.
Marriage Records: These list the groom, bride, their fathers’ names, and villages of origin, plus date of marriage. Useful for finding maiden names in Greece and connecting families. If your ancestor left behind siblings, you might find their marriage entries which could mention your ancestor as a witness or note that one party is “in America.”
Death Records: Less used for genealogy unless the person died in Greece. However, sometimes if an immigrant died abroad, family in Greece might have a commemorative entry or the church might record a memorial service.
Locating Church Records: This can be challenging from afar. Some old registers are stored at local Metropolis (diocesan) offices or in the village church itself. A growing number of Greek church records have been microfilmed or digitized; for example, some Cyclades islands and Ionian islands have church books on microfilm. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese or local dioceses might entertain genealogical inquiries, but often you’ll need someone on the ground to access parish books. If visiting, getting written permission from the Metropolis headquarters to access a village’s books can be helpful.

Other Greek sources

General State Archives (GAK): Greece’s GAK (Γενικά Αρχεία του Κράτους) has regional branches for each prefecture (nomos). They hold a variety of historical records beyond the vital ones – such as school registers, military lists, land deeds, wills, and sometimes compiled name indexes. For genealogy, the GAK in each region is often the best contact for the male registers and town registers mentioned above. They might also have old passports or voting lists. For example, an ancestor who emigrated in 1905 might have a Greek military discharge paper or a passport application archived. These are hit or miss but worth asking about. Some GAK collections have been indexed by name in recent years (check their website or ask staff).
Military Service Records: If your ancestor was of conscription age before he left, he might appear in Greek military rolls. Greece conducted call-ups for military service; the records might show if he showed up or was marked as absent (perhaps already in America). For instance, men born in the 1890s might have served in the Balkan Wars (1912-13) or World War I if they returned to Greece or delayed emigration. The archives or the Greek Ministry of Defense archives can sometimes locate a service record if you have name, birthdate, and hometown.
Local History Books (Topika): Many villages or regions in Greece have local history books or family genealogies written by scholars or enthusiasts. These might list prominent families or surnames in the village and their origins. Check if someone has written a book about your ancestral village or island. They are often in Greek, but you might find family names in tables or charts. Sometimes these books mention when a family’s members left for America.
Greek Telephone Directories: An interesting strategy if you know the village is to see if anyone with your surname still lives there. Greek phone books (online or via services like OTE) can show if, say, the name Papadopoulos is still present in a given town. Writing or connecting with distant relatives can produce oral history and records you wouldn’t find otherwise.
Greek Genealogy Websites: There are a few dedicated sites like GreekAncestry.net (which offers digitized records for certain areas and a search engine for names), and the Hellenic Genealogy Geek community, which has compiled lists of Greeks in various records (for example, naturalization indexes, or Greeks in specific U.S. states). These can sometimes shortcut your search if your surname appears in their databases. Always verify with original sources, though.

Dealing with Greek language and records

Working with Greek records means working with Greek handwriting and language. If you don’t read Greek, consider these tips:

Learn the Greek alphabet basics, especially how names look. Many first names and surnames have recognizable patterns. (For example, ΠΑΠΑΔΟΠΟΥΛΟΣ in all caps or Παπαδόπουλος in lower case is Papadopoulos – you can spot the Π= P, Α= A, O = O, Υ = Y/U, Λ = L, Σ = S at the end.)
Use translation tools or seek help on genealogy forums by posting snippets of records – there are many helpful Greek genealogy enthusiasts who can translate a phrase or decipher a name.
Many Greek records up to the early 20th century might be in Katharevousa (archaic formal Greek) but for names it doesn’t matter much. Just note that sometimes the spelling might differ (e.g. Konstantinos might be spelled Κωνσταντίνος or Κωνσταντίνος – minor accent differences).
Be mindful of patronymics in records: Greek documents often include a patronymic name as an initial or name. For instance, a record might say “Γεώργιος Ιωαν. Παπαδόπουλος” meaning “Georgios (Ioannis) Papadopoulos” – where Ioannis is his father’s first name used as a middle name. This is useful information (it tells you he is George son of John Papadopoulos).

By assembling evidence from Greek records, you can often extend your family tree several generations in Greece. The male registers will give the father’s name; church baptism records will give the grandparents’ names (since godparents were often relatives and the naming pattern means first sons are named after paternal grandfathers, etc.). Soon you will not only know your original surname, but also how it may have changed in Greece over time.

Step-by-step research strategy for Greek surnames

To synthesize the information above, here’s a step-by-step approach you can follow when researching a Greek-American surname:

Step1 - Start at Home: Write down the name as you know it and talk to family members. Note all stories about “original names” or ancestral hometowns. Collect any family documents (old letters from Greece, naturalization certificates, etc.). This provides initial clues and context.
Step 2 - Search U.S. Immigration Records: Use the Ellis Island database or ship manifests to find the arrival record. Remember to try different spellings. Locate who (exact spelling of name on arrival) and where from (hometown in Greece) on the passenger list. If Ellis Island yields nothing, check other ports or later arrival databases.
Step 3 - Find the Family in U.S. Census Records: Look at each available census from after the arrival (e.g. 1910, 1920, 1930…) to see the family composition, verify immigration year and naturalization status. This helps cross-check information and may reveal if they lived near relatives (who might have come from the same area).
Step 4 - Obtain Vital Records and Naturalization Papers: Get birth, marriage, death records of the immigrant and immediate family in the U.S. These may list the original name or relatives. Most importantly, track down naturalization records if they exist. The petition will likely give a Greek birthplace and original name spelling. Also look for any U.S. documents that mention parents’ names, as those will be in Greek form.
Step 5 - Check Additional U.S. Sources: Draft registration cards, church records, city directories, and newspapers for any additional clues like exact town names or alternate spellings. Each source may add a piece to the puzzle (for example, a WWI draft card might reveal the village name that the Ellis Island record only partially captured).
Step 6 - Confirm the Ancestral Town and Surname in Greek: By now, you should have a good idea of the precise Greek surname (in Greek letters) and the ancestral town or at least region. Double-check this. If there’s uncertainty (e.g. there are two villages with similar names), try to resolve it by looking at context (maybe a relative’s records or an obituary that mentions a region). It’s crucial to have the correct village because records are kept at that local level in Greece.
Step 7 - Contact Greek Archives or Municipality: Write to or visit the Greek municipal office or GAK archive for the area. Provide the name (in Greek if possible) and birth year and ask for a search in the Male Register (Mitroon Arrenon) or family register. If you visit in person, you may be able to browse the books yourself and discover not just your ancestor but also siblings, etc. Alternatively, use online services or researchers if available for that area.
Step 8 - Explore Church Records: If civil records are sparse, try to locate church records for the village. You might have to inquire with the local Orthodox Metropolis. If you cannot travel, sometimes local priests or metropolitans will help if you approach politely (in Greek helps, but many will understand simple English requests). Baptism and marriage registers can then be used to build out the family tree further back.
Step 9 - Expand to Extended Family: Once you find your ancestor in Greek records, look for other occurrences of the surname in the same town (in the same registers or neighboring villages). They are likely relatives – cousins, uncles, etc. Greek naming traditions (children named after grandparents) can help you piece together relationships. Collateral research (on siblings and cousins) can also solve mysteries like name changes or migration patterns.
Step 10 - Document Everything: As you gather information, keep careful notes of sources and spellings. Greek names can be confusing, so record each variant you find and where it was found. This will help avoid duplicating searches and will be invaluable if you seek help on genealogy forums.

Throughout the process, don’t hesitate to ask questions in genealogy communities. The Greek-American genealogy community is active and supportive – there are Facebook groups, forums, and blogs (like Hellenic Genealogy Geek and Spartan Roots) where experienced researchers can offer guidance. Every family’s story is unique, but others have likely tackled similar challenges of deciphering a tricky surname or locating a hard-to-find village.

Examples of Greek surnames and variations

Below is a table illustrating some common Greek-American surnames, showing the original Greek form and some known Anglicized or altered variations. This can help you recognize how one name can appear in different forms:^[1]

Original Greek Surname (English transliteration)	Greek Spelling	Common Variations / Anglicizations
Papadopoulos (“son of a priest”) (greek - Why is Papadopoulos such a common surname in Greece? - History Stack Exchange)	Παπαδόπουλος	Papadopoulos, Papadopulos (single ‘o’), Pappas/Papas (shortened). Female: Papadopoulou.
Georgopoulos (“son of George”)	Γεωργόπουλος	Georgopoulos, Georgopulos, Yorgopoulos; sometimes shortened to George (rarely, George used as a surname). Female: Georgopoulou.
Constantinidis (“son of Constantine”)	Κωνσταντινίδης	Constantinidis, Konstantinidis (K vs C); Costas or Constantine (shortened/Anglicized form). Female: Constantinidou.
Oikonomou / Economou (“of the steward”)	Οικονόμου	Economou, Oikonomou; Economos/Economos (alternative ending); even Economy (translated to English meaning in some cases).
Raptis (“tailor”)	Ράπτης	Raptis, Raptes, Raptis with different transliteration (e.g. Rhaptis); Taylor (English translation of meaning).
Anagnostopoulos (“son of the reader (church cantor)”)	Αναγνωστόπουλος	Anagnostopoulos, Anagnostopulos; sometimes shortened to Anagnos or Nostos. Female: Anagnostopoulou.
Hatzidakis (“son of Haji (pilgrim)”)	Χατζηδάκης	Hatzidakis, Chatzidakis, Hadjidakis; often shortened to Hatzis in America. Female: Hatzidaki.

(Note: The Greek spellings above include accents as used in modern Greek. In older records, names may be in katharevousa or without accent marks.)

These examples demonstrate how a single Greek surname can branch into multiple forms. When researching, consider all possible variants. For instance, if your surname is Pappas in the U.S., the family might be listed as Papadopoulos in Greek records. If you’re looking for Economy, realize the name in Greece was likely Oikonomou or Economou. Always back-translate an Anglicized name to likely Greek originals (consulting a Greek-English surname list can help).

Conclusion

Researching Greek-American surnames is like assembling a mosaic – each record or name variant you find is a tile that contributes to the full picture of your heritage. By understanding Greek naming customs, being alert to spelling shifts, and methodically using resources from U.S. passenger lists to Greek village registers, you can trace your family’s journey from the old country to the new. It’s important to be patient and thorough. Greek genealogy can be challenging, but it is immensely satisfying to uncover the original form of your last name and perhaps even locate long-lost family in the motherland.

Explore and embrace the process. You may not only discover your ancestors’ names in Greek script or find your ancestral village on a map, but also gain a deeper appreciation of the historical context in which they lived. The story of Greek immigration – from the young men who left impoverished villages, to the communities they built in America – will become personal as you see it unfold in your own family tree.

Explore more about Greek-American surnames

References

↑ Alatis, James E. The Americanization of Greek Names. Names A Journal of Onomastics 3(3):137-156. 1955

[1] Alatis, James E. The Americanization of Greek Names. Names A Journal of Onomastics 3(3):137-156. 1955

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