Lithuanian surnames often reflect familial, occupational, or geographical attributes, and are adorned with distinctive suffixes. They typically consist of two parts: the root or stem, and the suffix. The root or stem, which is the same for both males and females, is usually derived from the father's first name or from an ancestor's name. For instance, if a father's name is Jonas, the root of his child's surname could be 'Jon-', leading to 'Jonaitis' for a boy or 'Jonaitė' for a girl.
The suffixes differ depending on the gender and marital status of the person. For unmarried females, the suffix "-aitė" is added to the root, while for married females, the suffix "-ienė" is added. For males, the suffix "-as" is added to the root, regardless of their marital status.
This naming convention is unique to Lithuania and is based on the country's historical and cultural traditions. It helps to distinguish between male and female surnames while also preserving the family name and lineage.
History of Lithuanian surnames
Map of Lithuania, circa 1918-1920
According to tradition, Lithuanians have two names: the given name and the surname, the latter of which is typically inherited from the father or, less frequently, the mother. When Christianity was introduced to Lithuania, people were given Christian names at baptism, which were typically used before the ethnic name.
As a result, surnames began to arise. This is how Lithuanians first acquired surnames with foreign origins. The first half of the 15th century saw the emergence of surnames among the upper classes, whereas the 17th century began the establishment of surnames among the peasants. In Lithuania, 50,000 surnames have currently been registered. Most of them are foreign-born, having originated as proper or common nouns in other languages.[1]
Lithuanian naming conventions
Like in most European cultures, the given name is the first component of a Lithuanian person's name, followed by the family name. In Lithuania, the use of names is generally determined by three main factors: civil law, canon law, and tradition, in addition to individual preference and family tradition.
Lithuanian names always adhere to linguistic conventions. Male names in Lithuania still include the Indo-European masculine suffix (-as, -is, and -us). Even with foreign names, these gendered suffixes are maintained.[2]
Most popular Lithuanian surnames and their origins
Map of Poland
Despite having Lithuanian ancestry, many modern day “Lithuanian” given or last names have undergone Latinization or Polonization. Latinization and Polonization are terms used to describe the process of changing names from Lithuanian to Latin or Polish. The priest writing the entries in the metrical records would typically convert names into their Latin or Polish equivalents.[3]
According to Behind the Name, the surname Kazlauskas or Lithuanian form of Kozłowski, is the most common in Lithuania.[4]
Below is an alphabetical list of the top 10 Lithuanian surnames[5]:
Adomaitis - This surname is patronymic for “son of Adomas” which is the Lithuanian form of the personal name “Adam.”
Banis - This name is derived from the personal name “Benediktus.” It is also sometimes used as a nickname for a hut dweller.
Dapkus - This Lithuanian surname is likely derived from the Polish and Belorussian personal name “Dobka.”
Gabrys - This surname is derived from the Polish given name “Gabrys” which means “strong man of God.”
Jonaitis - This Lithuanian last name is derived from the name “Jonas” which is the Lithuanian form of “Johannes.”
Kairys - This last name comes from a nickname used for left-handed people.
Kazlauskas - This is the most common surname in Lithuania. It is the Lithuanian form of the Polish name “Kozlowski.”
Lanka - This is a shortened version of the Lithuanian and Latvian last name “Lankauskas.”
Petrauskas - This Lithuanian surname is patronymic for “son of Peter.”
Zemaitis - This is a habitational name for someone who lives in the western region of Lithuania.
Origins of common Lithuanian surnames
Surnames with a Lithuanian or Baltic origin make up a relatively low percentage. The majority of the time, their roots may be found in old Lithuanian given names such as:
Even locations were transformed into names, like Bugailiskis "from Bugailiai."
Surnames with foreign ancestry arrived in Lithuania at various times and in various ways. Surnames may include Latin, Greek, Hebrew, Slavic, Germanic, Tatar, or other etymologies as their roots. Most Slavic, Germanic, and Jewish surnames are the result of direct contact with speakers of other languages. Other surnames, such as those of Greek, Roman, and Hebrew origin, are the result of interaction with speakers of a third language, typically one of the Slavic languages.[6]
Celebrities with Lithuanian surnames
These are just a few of the many well-known celebrities with Lithuanian surnames.
Alecia Beth Moore Hart performs under the name of PinkAlecia Beth Moore Hart (Pink) — Pink is an American pop singer and songwriter with Lithuanian, Irish, German, and Jewish origins.
Anthony Kiedis — Lead singer of the band Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kiedis’s grandfather is of Lithuanian descent. His lineage also has Greek, English, French, Dutch, and Mohican ancestry.
Jason Sudeikis — American actor and comedian Jason Sudeikis has German, Irish, and a quarter Lithuanian ancestry.
Robert Zemeckis — Robert Zemeckis is an American film director, producer, and screenwriter of Lithuanian descent.
