380+ Armenian Last Names (Hidden Stories and Meanings)

Hey there! Ever wondered about Armenian last names and the incredible stories behind them? You know how we all get curious about where our family names come from – well, Armenian surnames are like these amazing time capsules packed with centuries of family tales, traditions, and history.

Think about it – your last name might tell you if your great-great-grandpa was a master craftsman, came from a tiny mountain village, or was known for growing the sweetest peaches in town. Pretty cool, right?

Armenian names have this special way of connecting people to their roots – kind of like finding an old family photo album, but in words. I bet you’ll be surprised by some of the meanings we’re about to discover together. Ready to dive in and explore what makes these names so unique?

Armenian Last Names

• Hovhannisyan (Son of John): From the Armenian name Hovhannes
• Grigoryan (Son of Gregory): From the Greek name Grigor
• Sargsyan (Son of Sergius): Derived from the name Sarkis
• Petrosyan (Son of Peter): From the Armenian Petros
• Hakobyan (Son of Jacob): From the Armenian name Hakob
• Vardanyan (Son of Vardan): Means “son of the rose-giver”
• Martirosyan (Son of the Martyr): Honors martyred ancestors
• Gevorgyan (Son of George): From Armenian Gevorg
• Abrahamyan (Son of Abraham): Biblical origin
• Danielyan (Son of Daniel): From Hebrew origin
• Gasparyan (Son of Gaspar): From one of the three wise men
• Stepanyan (Son of Stephen): Means “crowned one”
• Mkrtchyan (Son of the Baptist): Related to baptism
• Ghazaryan (Son of Lazarus): Biblical connection
• Asatryan (Son of Asatur): Means “God-given”
• Babayan (Son of Baba): Means “father’s son”
• Manukyan (Son of Manuk): Means “child”
• Davtyan (Son of David): Biblical origin
• Karapetyan (Son of Karapet): Means “forerunner”
• Kirakosyan (Son of Sunday): From the day of birth

Related: Love exploring names? Check out these fascinating biblical last names too!

Armenian Family Names

• Torosyan (Son of Toros): From Greek “Theodore,” meaning “God’s gift”
• Melikyan (Son of Melik): From Arabic “malik,” meaning “king”
• Khachatryan (Son of Khachatur): Means “cross-gift”
• Nazaryan (Son of Nazar): From Hebrew, meaning “dedicated”
• Aleksanyan (Son of Alexander): Means “defender of mankind”
• Mkhitaryan (Son of Mkhitar): Means “comforter”
• Yeghiazaryan (Son of Yeghiazar): Means “God helps”
• Baghdasaryan (Son of Baghdasar): Means “king’s gift”
• Sahakyan (Son of Sahak): From Isaac, meaning “laughter”
• Ispiryan (From Ispir): Place name origin
• Muradyan (Son of Murad): Means “wish” or “desire”
• Simonyan (Son of Simon): From Hebrew, meaning “he has heard”
• Avagyan (Son of Avag): Means “senior” or “elder”
• Avetisyan (Son of Avetis): Means “good news”
• Barseghyan (Son of Barsegh): From Basil, meaning “royal”
• Kazaryan (Son of Kazar): Variant of Ghazaryan
• Nahapetyan (Son of Nahapet): Means “patriarch”
• Ohanyan (Son of Ohan): Variant of Hovhannisyan
• Israelyan (Son of Israel): Biblical origin
• Voskanyan (Son of Voskan): Means “golden”

Related: Interested in similar naming patterns? Check out these Jewish last names!

Common Armenian Last Names

You know how some last names just pop up everywhere? Here are the ones you’ll hear all the time in Armenian communities:

• Parseghyan (Son of Parsegh): From Saint Basil – pretty cool connection to history!
• Adamyan (Son of Adam): Just like the first man in the Bible
• Hovsepyan (Son of Joseph): Think of it as the Armenian version of Josephson
• Gabrielyan (Son of Gabriel): Named after the archangel
• Margaryan (Son of Margar): Means “pearl bearer” – fancy, right?
• Poghosyan (Son of Paul): From the apostle Paul
• Tevosyan (Son of Tevos): A variant of Theodore
• Arshakyan (Son of Arshak): From old Armenian royalty
• Mikaelyan (Son of Michael): Another angelic connection
• Harutyunyan (Son of Harutyun): Means “resurrection”
• Kirakossian (Son of Kirakos): Related to “Sunday child”
• Zadikyan (Son of Zadik): Means “Easter”
• Zoryan (Son of Zor): Means “powerful”
• Apelyan (Son of Abel): Biblical origin
• Lusinian (Son of Light): Beautiful meaning, don’t you think?
• Bedrosian (Son of Peter): Another way to say Petrosyan
• Papazyan (Son of the Priest): Shows a religious family history
• Sarkissian (Son of Sarkis): Variant spelling of Sargsyan
• Tatevosyan (Son of Tateos): From Thaddeus
• Yesayan (Son of Jesus): From the name Jesus

Related: Love exploring heritage through names? Take a peek at these fascinating Greek last names too!

Armenia Last Names

Let’s dive into some fascinating Armenian surnames that you might stumble across:

• Andriasian (Son of Andreas): Cool how it connects to the apostle Andrew, right?
• Azaryan (Son of Azar): Means “fire” in Persian – pretty powerful!
• Balasanyan (Son of Balasan): From an old Persian name
• Derderian (Son of Derder): Means “priest’s son”
• Ekmekian (Son of the Baker): Just like Smith in English, it’s from an occupation
• Garabedian (Alternative of Karapetyan): Same meaning, different spelling
• Hamparian (Son of Hampar): Persian roots
• Injejikian (From Injejik): Place name origin
• Jamgochian (Son of the Bell-ringer): Cool job-related name!
• Kehyaian (Son of the Village Chief): Shows some authority
• Localian (From Locali): Geographic origin
• Manoukian (Son of the Child): Sweet meaning
• Nalbandian (Son of the Horseshoer): Another job name
• Oshagan (From Oshakan): Named after a town
• Pachanian (Son of Pachan): Persian influence
• Quickian (From Quick): Rare surname
• Reshtoonian (From Reshtoon): Place name
• Setrakian (Son of Setrak): Ancient Armenian name
• Tavitian (Son of David): Another way to say Davtyan
• Urartian (From Urartu): Ancient kingdom connection

Armenian Surnames

Ever wondered why some Armenian names sound similar but look different? Check these out:

• Agopian (Another way to write Hakobyan): Means same thing – “son of Jacob”
• Bogosian (Variation of Poghosyan): “Son of Paul”
• Cherkezian (From Circassia): Shows where the family came from
• Deradoorian (Son of the Church Leader): Religious connection
• Enfiedjian (From a Place Name): Geographic origin
• Fermanian (Son of Ferman): Persian influence
• Geragosian (Variant of Kirakosyan): “Sunday’s child”
• Hanessian (Son of Hannes): Another form of John
• Istanboulian (From Istanbul): City origin
• Jerejian (Son of Jerej): Old Armenian name
• Kherdian (Son of Kherd): Means “wise one”
• Levonian (Son of Leon): Like the English “Leonard”
• Mangassarian (Son of Mangasar): Persian roots
• Norehad (New Life): Beautiful meaning
• Odabashian (Head of Chamber): Turkish influence
• Palandjian (Son of the Saddle Maker): Another job name
• Quartoonian (From a Place): Geographic origin
• Raphaelian (Son of Raphael): Angelic connection
• Semerdjian (Son of the Blacksmith): Occupation name
• Tarpinian (From Tarpin): Place name origin

Related: Love exploring family names? Check out these fascinating Turkish last names and Russian last names too!

Common Armenian Surnames

You know what’s fascinating about Armenian surnames? Each one tells a story! Here’s what I’ve found:

• Haroutiunian (Son of Resurrection): How beautiful is that meaning?
• Ashekian (Son of the Minstrel): Imagine having a family of musicians!
• Boyadjian (Son of the Painter): Talk about a creative family history
• Kalenderian (Son of the Key Maker): Pretty specific job, right?
• Shakaryan (Son of Sugar): Sweet name, isn’t it?
• Vartanian (Son of the Rose): Just like having a garden in your name
• Zerounian (From Zero): Means “jeweler’s son”
• Mouradian (Son of Mourad): Means “wished-for child”
• Yerganian (From Yergan): Means “singer”
• Berberian (Son of the Barber): Just like the English name Barber!
• Deirmenjian (Son of the Miller): Another cool job name
• Gulbenkian (Son of Rosebud): Such a pretty meaning
• Kassabian (Son of the Butcher): Every town needed one
• Kupelian (Son of Kupel): Ancient Armenian name
• Majarian (Son of Majar): Persian influence there
• Najarian (Son of the Carpenter): Think Jesus was one too!
• Odian (From Oda): Means “room” – interesting, right?
• Pashayan (Son of Pasha): Shows Turkish influence
• Tashjian (Son of the Stone Mason): Built to last, like their work
• Zohrabian (Son of Venus): Named after the planet – how cool!

Armenian Jewish Surnames

This is such an interesting mix of cultures! Check these out:

• Abrahamian (Son of Abraham): Works in both traditions
• Mosesian (Son of Moses): A shared religious figure
• Davidian (Son of David): Another beloved biblical name
• Solomonian (Son of Solomon): Think wisdom and temples
• Israelian (Son of Israel): Strong religious connection
• Levonian (Son of Levi): Priestly tribe connection
• Simonian (Son of Simon): Remember Simon Peter?
• Zakarian (Son of Zakar): Means “remembered by God”
• Benjaminian (Son of Benjamin): The youngest tribe
• Josephian (Son of Joseph): Dreams and Egypt, remember?
• Aaronian (Son of Aaron): Another priestly connection
• Danielian (Son of Daniel): Lions’ den survivor!
• Jacobian (Son of Jacob): The patriarch himself
• Nathanian (Son of Nathan): Prophet’s name
• Rubenian (Son of Ruben): First-born tribe
• Samuelian (Son of Samuel): Prophet and judge
• Ezranian (Son of Ezra): The great scribe
• Isaiahian (Son of Isaiah): Major prophet
• Jeremiahian (Son of Jeremiah): Another prophet
• Sarahian (Son of Sarah): From the matriarch

Related: Love these connections? You might enjoy exploring Hebrew boy names too!

Armenian Last Names Male

Hey there! Let’s explore some Armenian last names typically carried by men – though remember, these days any surname can be for anyone!

• Aghekian (Son of the Prince): Now that’s a royal connection!
• Baroyan (Son of the Good One): Isn’t that a lovely meaning?
• Demirjian (Son of the Ironworker): You can just picture the forge, right?
• Findikian (Son of the Hazelnut): Maybe they owned orchards?
• Garabedian (Son of the Forerunner): Think John the Baptist
• Hajatian (Son of the Pilgrim): A well-traveled family!
• Ichkhanian (Son of the Prince): Another noble connection
• Janoyan (Son of Jano): A beloved grandfather, perhaps?
• Keshmeshian (Son of the Raisin Maker): Sweet business!
• Leonian (Son of the Lion): Strong and brave, don’t you think?
• Madoyan (Son of Mado): Short for Madteos
• Nercessian (Son of Nerces): From a saint’s name
• Oundjian (Son of the Pearl): Pretty precious, right?
• Panossian (Son of Panos): From Stepanos
• Roosian (Son of the Russian): Shows where they came from
• Sahagian (Son of Isaac): Biblical roots
• Tarpinian (From Tarpin): Place-based name
• Vanetzian (From Venice): Imagine the stories there!
• Yacoubian (Son of Jacob): Another biblical connection
• Zulalian (Son of the Clear One): Like crystal-clear water

Armenian Last Names Meaning

Ready to dive into some fascinating meanings? These names tell such interesting stories!

• Altounian (Son of Gold): Must have been jewelers
• Bashian (Son of the Head): Leaders in their community
• Churukian (Son of the Water Seller): Every town needed one
• Donikian (Son of the House Owner): Property matters!
• Dziranian (Son of the Peach): Fruit growers, maybe?
• Frangulian (Son of the European): Shows some travel history
• Guerguerian (Son of Gregory): Another saint connection
• Hintlian (From India): Talk about a journey!
• Imasdian (Son of the Wise One): Smart family, huh?
• Jerejian (Son of the Priest): Religious connections
• Kouyoumjian (Son of the Jeweler): Skilled artisans
• Loshagian (Son of the Light): Beautiful meaning
• Mahdessian (Son of the Jerusalem Pilgrim): Holy journey
• Nargizian (Son of the Daffodil): Spring flowers!
• Orchanian (Son of the Orphan): Survival story
• Parseghian (Son of Basil): Saint’s name
• Retounian (Son of the Writer): Creative family
• Shahinyan (Son of the Falcon): Wild and free
• Tiranian (From Tehran): City origins
• Vrourian (Son of the Rose): Another flower name

Related: Love exploring name meanings? Check out these names that mean hope!

Unique Armenian Last Names

Hey! Ready to discover some Armenian surnames that stand out from the crowd? These are pretty special:

• Adzigian (Son of the Holy One): Cool spiritual connection, right?
• Balabanian (Son of the Honey Maker): Sweet family business!
• Chilingarian (Son of the Locksmith): Every town needed a good locksmith
• Dzadourian (Son of the Tree): Nature connection there
• Egoian (From the Truth): Pretty profound meaning
• Fringhian (From Europe): Must have quite the travel story
• Gostanian (Son of the Garden): Green thumbs in this family
• Housepian (Son of Joseph): Unique spelling of a classic
• Injighulian (From the Pearl): Precious meaning
• Keshishian (Son of the Priest): Religious family
• Loosigian (Son of Light): Beautiful meaning, isn’t it?
• Mooradian (Son of the Wished-for): A wanted child!
• Norehadian (Son of New Life): Fresh beginnings
• Orchounian (Son of Blessing): Such a positive name
• Pakhchanian (Son of the Gardener): More green thumbs
• Rousinian (From Russia): Shows migration history
• Soghomonian (Son of Solomon): Ancient wisdom
• Terzian (Son of the Tailor): Skilled family trade
• Vosgerichian (Son of the Goldsmith): Fancy craftsmanship
• Zambakian (Son of the Lily): Pretty flower connection

Armenian Last Names Girl

While Armenian surnames aren’t really gender-specific anymore, here are some with softer meanings that were historically associated with girls:

• Aghavnian (From the Dove): Peaceful, right?
• Bzdigian (From the Little One): Such a sweet meaning
• Champanian (From the Field): Nature connection
• Dzaghgian (From the Flower): Pretty!
• Ergenian (From the Song): Musical family
• Feredjian (From Freedom): Strong meaning
• Goharyan (From the Jewel): Precious stone
• Hripsimian (From St. Hripsime): Holy connection
• Incyan (From the Pearl): Another gem
• Jezierski (From the Lake): Nature again
• Khatounian (From the Lady): Noble roots
• Lusinian (From the Light): Bright meaning
• Maralian (From the Deer): Graceful animal
• Nounian (From the Pomegranate): Fruit connection
• Ovsannian (From Hosanna): Religious tie
• Parigian (From the Fairy): Magical meaning
• Rosian (From the Rose): Flower power!
• Srpouian (From the Holy One): Sacred connection
• Teryan (From the Lady): Another noble one
• Zaurian (From Dawn): Beautiful time of day

Related: Love unique names? Check out these fantasy last names for more inspiration!

Understanding Armenian Last Names

Think of Armenian last names as a family’s personal time capsule. These names didn’t just pop up overnight – they’ve been shaped by centuries of rich history and tradition. Back in the day, most Armenians actually didn’t have formal last names. Can you believe that? It wasn’t until the 19th century that families started adopting official surnames.

Related: Check out these fascinating Jewish last names for comparison.

Common Characteristics of Armenian Last Names

Armenian surnames are like puzzle pieces that fit together in interesting ways. Here’s what makes them unique:

Patronymic Origins

Most Armenian last names come from a father’s or grandfather’s first name – pretty cool, right? They usually end in:

• -yan or -ian (meaning “son of”)
• -unts (an older form meaning “of the”)
• -ents (similar to -unts)

Related: You might also be interested in Russian last names, which share some similar patterns.

Occupational Surnames

Just like how Smith in English comes from blacksmiths, many Armenian last names come from old jobs:

• Darbinian – from “darbin” (blacksmith)
• Najarian – from “najar” (carpenter)
• Zergeryan – from “zerger” (goldsmith)

Popular Armenian Last Names

Let’s look at the most common Armenian surnames. Each one has its own special meaning and story behind it.

1. Hovhannisyan

Picture this – way back when, there was probably someone named Hovhannes (the Armenian version of John) who started this family line. Hovhannisyan literally means “son of Hovhannes.” Pretty neat way to keep track of family history, right?

2. Sargsyan

From the name Sargis (Sergius in English), Sargsyan shows how Armenian families kept their Christian heritage alive through their names. A lot like those biblical last names you might have heard of.

3. Grigoryan

Coming from the name Grigor (Gregory), this surname pops up everywhere in Armenia. Fun fact – there’s even a famous chess player with this last name!

4. Karapetyan

Ever wondered what happens when Armenian and Persian cultures mix? Karapetyan comes from ‘Karapet,’ which means “forerunner” in Persian. It’s usually connected to John the Baptist.

5. Petrosyan

Here’s a cool one – Petrosyan comes from ‘Petros’ (Peter). Think about how many families must have started with a Petros to make this one of the most common Armenian surnames!

Related: Similar patterns show up in Greek last names too.

The Rest of the Top 10:

• Hakobyan – from Hakob (Jacob)
• Vardanyan – from Vardan (meaning “rose”)
• Bagdasarian – from Bagdasar (“gift of God”)
• Abajian – from ‘abaji’ (felt maker)
• Gevorgyan – from Gevorg (George)

Unique Features of Armenian Surnames

You know how some words can be spelled different ways? Armenian surnames are like that too! Take a look at these variations:

• Gregorian/Grigoryan
• Hovhannesian/Hovhannisyan
• Baghdasarian/Bagdasarian

Pretty interesting how one family name can have so many versions, right?

The Role of Surnames in Identity

Think about how your last name connects you to your family. For Armenians, it’s like having a permanent link to their ancestors and homeland. Pretty amazing when you think about it!

Let me share something fascinating – after the Armenian Genocide in 1915, surnames became even more important. They helped scattered families find each other and keep their heritage alive. That’s some powerful stuff, right?

Related: This reminds me of how Irish last names helped preserve identity during tough times too.

Modern Armenian Society

These days, Armenian last names are like badges of honor. They tell everyone:

• Where your family came from
• What your ancestors did for work
• Which part of Armenia your roots are in

How to Research Your Armenian Last Name

So, you’ve got an Armenian last name and want to know more? Let me help you get started!

Research Tips

1. Talk to your older relatives first – they’re like walking history books!
2. Look for these common endings:
   • -ian/yan (most common)
   • -unis/unts
   • -ents
3. Check out Armenian church records
4. Join Armenian genealogy groups online

Related: You might find similar research methods useful for tracking Slavic last names.

Helpful Resources

• Armenian Genealogy Facebook groups
• Armenian church archives
• Local Armenian community centers
• Online surname databases

Wrap-Up

Isn’t it amazing how much history and meaning can be packed into a last name? Armenian surnames are like little time machines that connect people to their past. Whether you’re Armenian or just curious about names, there’s something special about understanding where these names come from.

Next time you meet someone with an Armenian last name, you’ll know there’s a whole story behind those –yan or –ian endings. Maybe you’ll even ask them about it – who knows what interesting family tales you might hear!

Remember, every Armenian last name tells a story. It’s about family, survival, tradition, and identity all rolled into one. Pretty cool when you think about it that way.

Related: If you enjoyed learning about Armenian surnames, you might also like exploring Greek mythology boy names or medieval last names for more fascinating naming traditions!