100 Unique Gypsy Last Names Collection

People often call the Romani “Gypsies” — a diverse group with a rich culture spanning centuries across Europe, the Middle East, and other regions.

Romani surnames, like their language and customs, differ depending on where they’re from. These last names show a blend of moving around, adjusting to new places, and keeping their identity.

Their family names can mean things tied to jobs, locations, family groups, or personal traits.

In this article, we look at various Romani, or so-called “Gypsy,” surnames, where they come from, and what they mean.

Let’s get started!

Gypsy Last Names

Boswell (Romani-English) – The meaning of this name is uncertain; it became associated with prominent Romani families in Britain.

Petulengro (Romani) – In this name, petul means “horseshoe,” and engro means “man”; together, it refers to a blacksmith.

Lee (Romani-English) – This name has Old English roots meaning “meadow”; many Romani families in the UK adopted it.

Stanley (Romani-English) – It means “stony field” and was adopted by some English Romani clans.

Smith (Romani-English) – This surname refers to the blacksmith trade; commonly taken during assimilation periods.

Mitrovic (Romani-Serbian) – This name is derived from Mitro, meaning “belonging to Mitre,” a common patronymic.

Lakatos (Romani-Hungarian) – It translates as “locksmith,” a trade-based surname.

Farkas (Romani-Hungarian) – This name means “wolf,” often symbolizing strength.

Horváth (Romani-Hungarian) – Refers to “Croat,” originally denoting someone from Croatia.

Hristov (Romani-Bulgarian) – This surname means “son of Hristo,” a Christian given name adaptation.

Georgiev (Romani-Bulgarian) – A patronymic meaning “son of Georgi”; common among settled Romani.

Dimitrov (Romani-Bulgarian) – It means “descendant of Dimitar,” another Christianized surname.

Papin (Romani-French) – This surname likely comes from pape, meaning “priest,” possibly symbolic.

Herzog (Romani-German) – A title meaning “duke,” possibly adopted during Austro-Hungarian influence.

Baro (Romani) – This name means “big” or “great” and is sometimes used for a respected elder.

Chirikli (Romani) – It refers to a “bird,” often used poetically for freedom.

Lolo (Romani) – The meaning of this name is “red,” possibly linked to hair or complexion.

Rácz (Romani-Hungarian) – This name originally referred to Serbs; adopted by some Romani families.

Demeter (Romani-Hungarian) – A Christian first name turned surname; linked to the Greek goddess of harvest.

Balog (Romani-Hungarian) – A noble name possibly adopted during integration; meaning is debated.

Silva (Romani-Portuguese) – This name means “forest” or “woodland,” common among Iberian Roma.

Mendoza (Romani-Spanish) – A Basque name meaning “cold mountain,” found among Kalé Roma in Spain.

Varga (Romani-Hungarian) – A trade surname meaning “shoemaker.”

Gabor (Romani-Hungarian) – Originally a given name, it became a surname in many Romani families.

Stankovic (Romani-Serbian) – A patronymic meaning “son of Stanko.”

Bakali (Romani-Albanian) – This name means “grocer” or “merchant.”

Miclea (Romani-Romanian) – A Romanian surname of uncertain meaning; sometimes adopted by Roma.

Kalderash (Romani) – Refers to a Romani subgroup known as coppersmiths; the name means “boilermaker”.

Lovari (Romani) – This surname identifies a subgroup originally known as horse dealers.

Sintos (Romani) – This refers to the Sinti people, a major Romani group in Western Europe.

Zorba (Romani-Greek) – The name means “lively” or “vivid” and is culturally associated with music and dance.

Stefanov (Romani-Bulgarian) – A surname meaning “descendant of Stefan.”

Rashayev (Romani-Russian) – This name possibly derives from Rashai, meaning “blessed.”

Bogdanov (Romani-Russian) – The meaning of this name is “gift of God,” a Christian name adaptation.

Marinov (Romani-Bulgarian) – A surname meaning “son of Marin”; common among Eastern European Roma.

Dobrev (Romani-Bulgarian) – In this name, “dobr” means “good,” and it implies kindness or virtue.

Craciun (Romani-Romanian) – This name means “Christmas,” possibly symbolic of birth or joy.

Costache (Romani-Romanian) – A diminutive of Constantin; used as a surname by many Roma.

Szabo (Romani-Hungarian) – A trade surname meaning “tailor.”

Benga (Romani-Romanian) – This name may derive from the Romani word beng, meaning “devil”; sometimes used ironically.

Montoya (Romani-Spanish) – A place-based name; found among Spanish Kalé.

Ignat (Romani-Romanian) – A name derived from Ignatius; adapted through Christian naming.

Ionescu (Romani-Romanian) – A patronymic meaning “son of Ion.”

Kovach (Romani-Slovak) – This surname means “blacksmith,” a respected Romani occupation.

Toth (Romani-Hungarian) – Originally meant “Slovak”; often given to minorities.

Petras (Romani-Lithuanian) – A surname based on the given name Peter.

Veseli (Romani-Slovene) – This name means “cheerful” and is tied to temperament.

Radic (Romani-Croatian) – A patronymic meaning “descendant of Rade.”

Carp (Romani-Romanian) – Possibly named after the Carpathians; used by Roma in Romania.

Zlatanov (Romani-Bulgarian) – Derived from zlato, meaning “gold”; likely symbolic of value or brightness.

Albu (Romani-Romanian) – This name means “white,” possibly referring to complexion or purity.

Cioaba (Romani-Romanian) – A family name tied to leadership; famously held by self-declared Romani kings.

Barbu (Romani-Romanian) – The meaning of this name is “bearded one”; it may denote maturity or authority.

Lăutaru (Romani-Romanian) – This surname refers to a traditional musician; derived from lăută, meaning “lute”.

Manole (Romani-Romanian) – In this name, Manole may derive from “Emmanuel,” meaning “God is with us”.

Nicolae (Romani-Romanian) – A patronymic form of Nicholas; linked to Christian naming traditions.

Voicu (Romani-Romanian) – A name associated with warlike or warrior roots.

Barzilai (Romani-Sephardic) – This surname originates from Hebrew, meaning “iron,” and was adopted by some Romani families of Jewish descent.

Gogo (Romani-Bulgarian) – A nickname surname; possibly linked to affection or childhood.

Stanoev (Romani-Bulgarian) – A patronymic from Stano, meaning “son of Stano.”

Iliev (Romani-Bulgarian) – This name comes from Ilia, the Bulgarian form of Elijah.

Nedkov (Romani-Bulgarian) – Refers to a descendant of Nedko, a shortened form of Nedelko.

Durdevic (Romani-Serbian) – The meaning of this name is “son of Djordje,” the Slavic form of George.

Nikolic (Romani-Serbian) – A patronymic meaning “son of Nikola.”

Bojic (Romani-Serbian) – This surname means “descendant of Boja,” possibly linked to color or fight.

Ferdjani (Romani-North African) – A surname found among North African Roma; may come from a place or clan.

Zlatarev (Romani-Bulgarian) – In this name, zlato means “gold,” and it may symbolize wealth or radiance.

Kaldera (Romani) – A shortened form of Kalderash, referring to the coppersmith subgroup.

Gheorghe (Romani-Romanian) – This surname stems from the Greek Georgios, meaning “farmer”.

Vasile (Romani-Romanian) – A common surname derived from Basileios, meaning “royal.”

Rosta (Romani-Slovak) – Possibly derived from Rostislav, meaning “he grows in glory.”

Moraru (Romani-Romanian) – This name means “miller,” a trade-based surname.

Popescu (Romani-Romanian) – A surname meaning “son of the priest.”

Ispas (Romani-Romanian) – Refers to the Ascension of Christ; often linked to the holiday.

Surdu (Romani-Romanian) – The meaning of this name is “deaf,” possibly descriptive or symbolic.

Chirica (Romani-Romanian) – A variation of Kyriakos, meaning “of the Lord.”

Tuturas (Romani-Romanian) – May derive from the Romani word tut, meaning “you”; usage is rare.

Ramirez (Romani-Spanish) – A patronymic meaning “son of Ramiro,” found among Spanish Roma.

Delgado (Romani-Spanish) – This surname means “slender” or “thin,” descriptive in nature.

Cruz (Romani-Spanish) – This name means “cross” and is common among Catholic Kalé Roma.

Jiménez (Romani-Spanish) – A patronymic derived from Jimeno, meaning “hearkening.”

Silviu (Romani-Romanian) – A surname connected to forests; from the Latin Silvius.

Zlatko (Romani-Slavic) – This name means “golden,” a short form that became a surname.

Zorica (Romani-Serbian) – Refers to “dawn” or “morning light.”

Aladar (Romani-Hungarian) – A noble name meaning “noble guardian.”

Molnar (Romani-Hungarian) – A trade surname meaning “miller.”

Csorba (Romani-Hungarian) – Possibly means “chipped” or “notched,” originally a nickname.

Rozalia (Romani-Hungarian) – A floral name meaning “rose,” often adopted during Christianization.

Levente (Romani-Hungarian) – This surname originally meant “hero” or “young warrior.”

Miklós (Romani-Hungarian) – Derived from Nicholas; often used as a last name.

Demir (Romani-Turkish) – This name means “iron,” likely linked to blacksmith work.

Kaya (Romani-Turkish) – A surname meaning “rock” or “cliff,” symbolic of strength.

Yilmaz (Romani-Turkish) – Translates to “fearless,” a name of pride and identity.

Arslan (Romani-Turkish) – This surname means “lion” and is associated with bravery.

Becirovic (Romani-Bosnian) – A patronymic meaning “son of Becir,” common among Balkan Roma.

Rustem (Romani-Balkan) – A legendary Persian name adopted across Balkan Romani communities.

Zoran (Romani-Slavic) – This name means “light of day,” symbolic and poetic.

Nicu (Romani-Romanian) – A diminutive of Nicholas used as a surname.

Maricic (Romani-Croatian) – Derived from Marica, a feminine given name; may indicate matrilineal descent.

Antal (Romani-Hungarian) – A surname from Antonius; meaning “priceless” or “beyond praise.”

Closing Remarks

Gypsy or Romani last names reflect centuries of adaptation, cultural history, and survival. I hope you loved our collection of Gypsy last names.