Surname Vlad - Meaning and Origin

Vlad: What does the surname Vlad mean?

The last name Vlad is derived from the Romanian word for "ruler," and it is believed that it was adopted as part of the family name of Vlad III, also known as Vlad the Impaler. Vlad III was a notorious Wallachian ruler who reigned from 1456–1462 and was known for his cruel and oppressive methods of rule. As a result, the name Vlad has become associated with tyranny and oppressive rule, and the Romanian people often refer to cruel rulers as “vlados” or “vladut” (vlad).

Although the name has negative connotations, the name Vlad is still very common in Romania and other parts of Eastern Europe, serving as a reminder of the power of Vlad III's legacy. The connotations of power and strength stemming from Vlad III's rule have been kept alive, yet they also often invoke fear and violence.

The legacy of Vlad the Impaler is still celebrated in Romanian culture today, and a popular tourist destination in Wallachia pays homage to the ruling Vlad III, showcasing some of his conquests and atrocities. Additionally, although there are numerous vampire stories featuring vampires with the name Vlad, these are not necessarily indicative of the name's legacy.

The name Vlad likely carries a wide range of meanings for different people, from power and strength to fear and violence. No matter the interpretation, the name remains full of history and is certainly not forgotten.

Vlad: Where does the name Vlad come from?

The last name, Vlad, is most common today in Eastern European Countries including Romania, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus and some parts of Russia. It is generally more prevalent in the Transylvanian region of Romania.

Vlad is thought to be of Slavic origin and the name may have first been used by the House of Basarab, a family of Wallachian rulers. Other sources suggest that it was derived from the nickname for Vlad III, also known as Vlad the Impaler, a Romanian nobleman who was born in Sighisoara and was the inspiration for Bram Stoker's famous book, Dracula.

The name is believed to have been brought to the United States in the late 1800s by immigrants from Eastern Europe, including Romania. As of the 1990 census, it was estimated that there were over 32,000 people in the United States with the last name "Vlad." Today, it is still an uncommon name, but its prevalence has likely grown with more recent Eastern European diaspora due to wars and social unrest.

Based on the 2016 US Census data, it was found that there were about 32,000 people in the United States with the last name Vlad. California, New York, Florida, Ohio, Texas, Illinois and Pennsylvania were some of the states with the highest number of people with the last name Vlad.

Variations of the surname Vlad

The surname Vlad is a Romanian birth name derived from a political title of the same name which dates back to the 11th century. This name originated from Southern and Central Romania, which was previously known as Wallachia. As such, the Vlad surname is associated with exceptional people from Romanian history.

The most common spelling of the Vlad surname is “Vlad” although there are other variants of this name. Other spellings of the name include “Vladescu,” “Vlaicu,” “Vlahos,” “Vlahovic,” “Vlaikos,” “Valcea” and “Vladeska.”

In addition to these variants, Vlad is also associated with various surnames of the same origin. These surnames include “Vladorius,” “Vlachos,” “Vladinovic,” “Vladovich,” “Vladesic,” “Vladescu,” and “Vladimirovic.”

The Vlad surname is associated with various Romanian historical figures and is a proud indicator of Romanian heritage. As Vlad continues to appear in various forms, it shows its timelessness and strength as it stands the test of time.

Famous people with the name Vlad

• Vlad Tepes: Also known as Dracula, Vlad Tepes was a Wallachian prince who reigned from 1448 until his death in 1477. He is best known for his opposition to the Ottoman Empire and his reputation for cruelty.
• Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin: Putin has been the President of Russia since 2012 as well as previously from 1999-2008. He is one of the most powerful and influential politicians in modern history.
• Vladimír Špidla: Špidla is a Czech politician and served as the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic from 2002-2004.
• Vladimir Vladimirovich Zhirinovsky: Zhirinovsky is a Russian politician and was the second-most popular candidate in the 1996 Russian presidential election.
• Vladimir Vladimirovich Umanets: Umanets is a Russian biathlete who has competed since 2008, and he has won several medals at the World Junior Championships.
• Vladimir Vladimirovich Dzhanibekov: Dzhanibekov was a Soviet cosmonaut who flew in four space missions during the 1970s.
• Vladimír Vladimirovič VladSar: VladSar is a Czech cartoonist and illustrator whose works often focus on satirical social criticism.
• Vladimir Vladimirovich Pletser: Pletser is a Belgian astrophysicist and professor of Astroparticle physics at the University of Liège.
• Valeriu Vladimirovich Plutov: Plutov is a Moldovan jurist who served as the Prime Minister of Moldova from 1997-1999.
• Vladimír Vladimirovič Leik rises: Leik rises is a Czech poet and writer. He is a member of the Communist Party of Bohemia and Moravia and has served as their spokesman since 2004.

Other surnames

Vlaskamp