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Last names that start with V have a unique appeal. They came into use as a means of distinguishing people within communities and were often based on occupation, location, or lineage. Most of these surnames are rooted in their culture and often show inter-cultural influences, too.
Many of these last names that start with V have historical significance in various cultures and fields. From Spanish to German, these names include fictional characters, too, offering a blend of history and imagination. We have made a list of the most popular last names starting with V with their meanings. Take a look to find yours!
Key Pointers
- Last names that start with V are popular in France, Germany, Spain, and Italy.
- The Japanese script does not have a phonetic translation for V, so it is rare to find a Japanese last name with V.
- Names like Verdugo, Vonnegut, and Verne have found international recognition due to their contributions in several fields.
- Most last names starting with V are either habitational, topographic, or occupational.
Last Names That Start With V
Last names that start with V are present in almost every culture and language. This list addresses some of the most popular ones.
Mexican Last Names That Start With V
Mexican last names are usually derived from locations in Mexico. Often, they are also used as Portuguese surnames.
1. Vargas
The well-known Spanish surname is also used in Portuguese. It is derived from the Spanish and Portuguese word varga and means ‘slope,’ ‘flooded field,’ ‘pastureland,’ or ‘hut.’
2. Valadez
The Mexican variant of Valdez means ‘son of Baldo,’ and is derived from the Old German element bald meaning ‘bold’ and ‘brave.’ Besides Mexico, this surname is also common in Asturia and Spain.
3. Valtierrez
Also spelled as Baltiérrez, this Hispanic surname is predominantly used in Mexico. It is a habitational surname from several places in Navarre and Burgos.
4. Vera
Vera is a topographic name that is derived from the same word meaning ‘river bank’ or ‘area of fertile land between a river and an upland.’ It could also be a habitational name from several places named (La) Vera.
5. Veracruz
The Mexican surname is derived as a habitational name from the state so named in Mexico. It has roots in Latin and means ‘true cross.’ Today, the state’s major port city, Heroica Veracruz, is one of the most populous cities of the state and is well-known as Mexico’s oldest, largest, and most historically significant port.
6. Verdugo
The surname originated as an occupational name derived from verdugo, which means ‘hangman,’ ‘butcher,’ or ‘executioner.’ It is used both in Spanish and Portuguese. The most notable person with this name was José María Verdugo, a soldier from the Presidio of San Diego, who was present at the Revolt at Mission San Gabriel in 1785 (1).
7. Villagran
Also spelled as Villagrán in Spanish, this habitational name is derived from a place named Villa Grande, which means ‘large farmstead or settlement.’
8. Villalvazo
The Spanish surname is a derivative of either Villalba or Villalva. These are ultimately habitational surnames for various Spanish places and mean ‘town’ and ‘white.’
9. Villas
The habitational name is derived from a place with the same name in Cáceres or Las Villas in northern Spain. It is considered a plural form of villa and means ‘farmstead’ or ‘settlement.’
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Hispanic Last Names That Start With V
Hispanic surnames are derived from Spanish but they cover a lot of ground. These names may be occupational or habitational.
10. Valdez
Pronounced as bal-DETH in European Spanish and bal-DEHS in Latin America, this Hispanic surname means ‘son of Baldo.’ These names are derived from the Old German element bald, which means ‘bold’ and ‘brave.’
11. Valle
Valle could be a habitational name or a topographic one derived from the word valle, meaning ‘valley.’ It is also be used as an Italian surname.
12. Vásquez
The surname is pronounced as BAS-keth in European Spanish and BAS-kehs in Latin America. It means ‘son of Vasco’ and has several variants including Vázquez and Velásquez.
It is possible that Vazquez and its variants were earlier spelled with a B and later changed to V. Mr. Vazquez says, “My great-grandfather’s brother’s name was Estevan Dela Luz Vazquez.” He further adds, “I found his baptismal certificate and saw that his parents’ last names were spelled with a B (i).”
13. Vega
The short Spanish surname is pronounced as BEH-gha and means ‘meadow’ or ‘plain.’ It is given to a person who lives on or near a meadow.
Trivia14. Vergara
The surname is originally derived from Basque and Hispanicized. It comes from Bergara, a habitational surname. Sofía Vergara is a well-known Colombian-American actress and TV personality with this name.
15. Vicente
The surname is used both in Spain and Latin America with different pronunciations. It is derived from the same given name and means ‘to conquer.’
16. Valdiviezo
Valdiviezo is a unique surname used in almost all countries in South America. It is a variant of Valdivieso, which means ‘old man’s valley’ in Asturian.
17. Villafuerte
Villafuerte is a habitational surname derived from the place with the same name in Castile and León. It is used in Latin America and the Philippines with minor differences in pronunciation.
18. Villavicencio
Alternatively spelled as Villavisencio, this surname is a habitational name derived from the town of Villavicencio de los Caballeros in Castile and León. It is used predominantly in Latin America and the Philippines.
Spanish Last Names That Start With V
Spanish surnames that start with V can be found in Spain and all Spanish-speaking parts of Europe. These surnames may have traveled to Latin America but are majorly used in Spain.
19. Vaamonde
The unique surname comes from the variant of the habitational name Bahamonde or Baamonde in Galicia. This place is situated in the province of Lugo.
20. Vaca
Vaca is a Spanish surname originated in Valderas in León, Spain. It means ‘cow.’ A notable person with this name was José María Vaca de Guzmán, a Spanish statesman, poet, and literary critic of the Neoclassic period.
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21. Valdés
The Spanish toponymic surname is of Asturian origin and dates back to the 8th century. It means ‘valley of the river” and is attributed to the Esva River.
22. Valdivia
The Spanish surname may be either topographic or habitational and is derived from vall(e), meaning ‘valley.’ Its Hispanic variant is Baldivia.
23. Valez
Also spelled as Valezze and Vaylez, this surname is considered an occupational name. It could mean ‘soldier’ or ‘guard’ and is pronounced as VU-lez.
24. Valgañón
The surname is derived as a habitational surname for someone from the town of the same name in the Riojan area. It is pronounced as bal-gha-NYON.
25. Valiente
The surname means ‘brave’ or ‘courageous’ in Spanish. It possibly originated as a nickname for a brave person.
26. Valderrábano
A long name of Spanish origin, Valderrábano is a habitational surname derived from the town with the same name in Castile and León. It is pronounced as baldeh-RABANO.
27. Valderrama
The surname has multiple meanings and is considered a habitational name. It could be derived from the places of the same name in the Burgos province. Alternatively, it could be created using the prefix bal- from the Latin word vallis, which means ‘valley,’ and derramare, which means ‘to spread,’ indicating a valley that has spread out.
28. Valdivieso
The surname is a habitational name derived from the Asturian word val-di-vieso. It means ‘old man’s valley.’
29. Valdovinos
Derived from an ancient Germanic personal name, this Spanish surname is used predominantly in Spain. It consists of the elements bald, which means ‘bold’ or ‘brave,’ and win, which means ‘friend.’
30. Valencia
The habitational name is derived from the Spanish city of Valencia. It has Latin roots and means ‘strength of the Edetani people.’
31. Valenciano
Another habitational surname, Valenciano, is also derived from Valencia. It is given to a person from Valencia in Spain.
32. Valente
Meaning ‘valiant’ or ‘brave’ in Spanish, it likely originated as a nickname for a courageous person. It could also be used as an Italian, Galician, and Portuguese surname.
33. Valenzuela
The habitational surname is derived from places with similar names in Córdoba and Ciudad Real. The name itself originated as a diminutive of Valencia and means ‘little Valencia.’
34. Valera
Pronounced as ba-LEH-ra, this surname is a habitational one. It is derived from one of the two places in Spain with the same name.
35. Valladares
The unique surname is the Castilianized form of Valadares and a habitational name for several places in Galicia. It is derived from the word valado, which means ‘boundary wall.’
36. Valladolid
Many Spanish surnames are derived from names of places. Valladolid is one of them and it is derived from the city of the same name.
37. Valverde
The surname is considered a habitational surname from one of several places with the same name. It means ‘green valley’ and is also used as a Portuguese surname.
38. Vaquero
The unusual Spanish surname may also be spelled as Vaquera. It is an occupational name from the word vaquero, which means ‘cowboy.’
39. Varela
Varela is an occupational surname that is derived from the Spanish word vara, which means ‘stick.’ It might have originated as a name for someone who used a stick at work, like an animal herder.
40. Varon
Also spelled as Varón, this surname was originally used as a nickname from varón, which means ‘man.’ It is also a Galician and French surname.
41. Vea
Vea is a habitational name from a place so called in the Soria or the Pontevedra province. It is used as a surname in Galician, Catalan, and Norwegian, too.
42. Vecino
The surname is surprisingly a derivative of Voisin. It has roots in Old French and means ‘neighbor.’
43. Vela
Derived from the same Spanish word, this Spanish surname could mean either ‘sail’ or ‘watchful.’ It is a nautical name that originated as a nickname before transitioning into a surname.
44. Velarde
Velarde is probably a topographic name from the Basque elements belar, meaning ‘vegetation’ or ‘grass,’ combined with the suffix di, which signifies abundance.
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45. Velasco
The surname is derived from the same given name. These names come from Vasco, which could possibly mean ‘crow.’
46. Velazquez
Also spelled variously as Velázquez, Velásquez, or Velasquez, this Spanish surname originated as a patronymic meaning ‘son of Velasco.’ It is derived from Vasco and possibly means ‘crow.’
47. Vélez
Vélez may have several meanings and origins. It may be a patronymic derived from the personal name Vela, which comes from the Visigothic name Vigila and means ‘crow.’ On the other hand, Vélez could be a habitational name from Andalusia.
48. Veloso
A Spanish surname borrowed from Galician or Portuguese, Veloso could have multiple meanings. It could be derived from a nickname from veloso, which means ‘hairy.’ Alternatively, it could be a habitational name from places so named in Portugal.
49. Venancio
The Spanish patronymic is derived from the same personal name. It has Latin roots and means ‘hunting.’ Venancio is also used as a Portuguese surname.
50. Venegas
Written variously as Vanegas, Benegas, and Banegas, this surname is derived from a given name. It is believed to be a combination of Ben, which means ‘son,’ and Egas, a Visigothic name.
51. Verano
Verano is a Spanish surname that could have multiple meanings. It could be derived as a nickname from verano, which means ‘summer.’ On the other hand, it could be a variant of the Basque Berano, which is a habitational name.
52. Vicario
The occupational surname that means ‘vicar’ in Spanish and Italian has roots in Latin and could mean ‘substitute’ and ‘deputy.’ It is pronounced as bee-KA-ryo in Spanish and vee-KA-ryo in Italian.
53. Victoria
A surname with several meanings, Victoria is associated with Christianity. It may be derived from a nickname from victoria, which means ‘victory.’ It could also be a habitational surname from places named La Victoria. Moreover, it could be derived from the same personal name.
54. Victoriano
A surname derived from the same personal name, Victoriano is a derivative of Victor. It means ‘victor’ or ‘conqueror’ and is also used as a surname in Portuguese.
55. Vidal
The surname is derived from the same given name. It has Latin roots and was derived from vitalis, which means ‘of life’ or ‘vital.’
56. Videgain
Originally of Basque origin, Videgain is considered a Spanish surname because of the absence of the letter V in Basque. It originated as a form of Bidegain and later acquired many forms such as Videgaray, Vidagain, and Vidigain.
57. Vieites
Pronounced bee-AY-tehs, this surname means ‘son of Bieito,’ which is a form of Benedict and means ‘blessed.’ The last name is usually used in the Galician region of Spain.
58. Villacorta
Villacorta is a Spanish surname that is considered a habitational name. It is derived from either of the two places with the same name in Segovia and León.
59. Villalba
The habitational name was originally given to a person from various places in Spain with the same name. It is derived from Spanish villa, which means ‘town,’ and alba, which means ‘white.’
60. Villalobos
Pronounced as bee-ya-LO-bos, Villalobos is a habitational name for the town of the same name in Spain. It is derived from the Spanish villa, which means ‘town,’ and lobo, which means ‘wolf.’
61. Villanueva
Villanueva is a habitational name for a person from one of the several Spanish towns with the same name and means ‘town’ and ‘new.’ Its French variant is Villeneuve.
62. Villar
Villar could be the Spanish variant of Vilar, which means ‘hamlet’ or ‘farm’ in Portuguese, Galician, and Catalan. On the other hand, it could be a variant of Villa, which means ‘town.’
63. Villaverde
Villaverde is another habitational name derived from several places of the same name in Spain. It has the elements villa, which means ‘town,’ and verde, which means ‘green.’
64. Viñas
The Spanish surname is considered a habitational name from various places with the same name. It is derived from the word viña, which means ‘vineyard.’ It is also used as a Galician surname.
65. Viteri
The Spanish surname is also used in the Basque region of Spain. It is derived from the Basque Biteri and is considered a habitational name from the place so named in Biscay.
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Italian Last Names That Start With V
Italian names that start with a V have always been in vogue. You can find some of them even in Shakespearean texts.
66. Vacca
Vacca is an Italian occupational surname. It means ‘cow’ and originated as a name given to a person who herded cows.
67. Vaccaro
Vaccaro is a metonymic occupational surname that means ‘cowherd’ in Italian. It could be considered a variant of Vacca.
68. Vadalà
Alternatively spelled as Vadala, this Italian surname has Arabic roots. It is derived from the given name Abd Allah and means ‘servant of God.’
69. Valenti
The patronymic is derived from Valente and ultimately from Valentine. These names have Latin origins and mean ‘strong,’ ‘vigorous,’ and ‘healthy.’
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70. Valentini
The stylish Italian surname is derived from a given name and means ‘son of Valentino.’ The name has Latin roots and means ‘strong’ and ‘healthy.’
71. Valerio
Another surname derived from a given name, Valerio is considered to be derived from the Roman family name Valerius. It comes from the Latin word valere, which means ‘to be strong.’
72. Vali
The surname is derived as a habitational name or from a given name and is used among the Swiss Italian population. It means ‘valley’ and is also used as a Spanish and Arabic surname.
73. Valore
The surname has multiple meanings. It could be derived from the same given name and it means ‘value.’ Alternatively, it could be derived from the word valore, which means ‘valor.’
74. Valsecchi
Also written as Valsecca, this surname is a habitational name. It is derived from the town of Valsecca in Lombardy.
75. Vandetti
The patronymic is also considered a plural form of the first name Benedetto. These names are derived from Latin Benedictus, which means ‘blessed.’
76. Vannucci
Vannucci is a patronymic or plural form of the given name Vannucio, which is a pet form of Vanni. These names are derived from Giovanni and mean ‘God is gracious.’
77. Vanoni
Derived from Giovannone, Vanoni comes from Giovanni. These names are Italian forms of John and mean ‘God is gracious.’
78. Varano
Varano is a habitational name and is derived from several towns of the same name in Italy. It is believed that the districts in Naples and Teramo have predominantly worked to create this name.
79. Vargiu
A habitational name, Vargiu is derived from a settlement of the same name. It has Latin roots and is derived from varius, which means ‘many colors’ or ‘variegated.’
80. Vario
The stylish Italian surname is derived from the same given name. It has Latin roots and means ‘versatile.’ Vario also means ‘various’ in Italian and is also used as a Spanish surname.
81. Vasta
Vasta is derived from the Italian word vast, which means ‘wide.’ Alternatively, it could also be a variation of Basta, which means ‘enough,’ or a short form of Savasta, derived from Sebastian.
82. Vecchio
The surname originated as a nickname for an older or oldest son or for someone whose hair was prematurely gray or skin wrinkled. Vecchio means ‘old’ or ‘aged’ in Italian.
83. Vella
Vella is a surname derived from the Italian word bella, which means ‘beautiful.’ It is also used as a Maltese surname.
84. Venezia
Also spelled as Veneziano, Venezio, and Veneziale, this surname is habitational. It is derived from the city of Venice or from the region of Venetia.
85. Ventimiglia
Pronounced as vehn-tee-MEEL-lya, this Italian surname is derived from the historical Italian city of the same name in the Imperia province. Moreover, there is another place with the same name in Sicily.
86. Ventura
The surname is derived from the given name Bonaventura. It means ‘good fortune’ and is used in several languages such as Spanish, Portuguese, and Catalan, too.
Trivia87. Verona
Verona is a habitational name from the historical city or province with the same name in northeastern Italy. This province is famous for appearing in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
88. Veronesi
The surname is a variant of Verona. It is a habitational name for a person from the ancient city of Verona in Italy.
89. Vescovi
The patronymic is derived from Vescovo, which means ‘bishop.’ It has Greek roots and also means ‘overseer.’
90. Vespa
Vespa originated as a nickname and later transitioned into a surname. It means ‘wasp’ and possibly was given to a person who was very fast or liked to keep busy.
91. Vestri
The stylish last name is derived from the given name Silvestro and means ‘wooded’ or ‘wild.’ Its variant is Silvestri.
92. Vico
The simple surname simply means ‘town’ and is derived from Latin vicus. Its most common variant is Vigo, while it is spelled as Weekes in English and Wieck in German.
93. Villa
Villa is a habitational surname derived from Latin and means ‘town’ in Italian and Spanish. It originated as a name given to a person who came from a town instead of from a village.
94. Villanova
The unique Italian habitational surname is a variant of the Spanish Villanueva and means ‘new settlement.’ It is also spelled as Villanuova in Italian.
95. Vinagro
A cognate of the Spanish and Portuguese surname Vinagre, this Italian surname means ‘bitter wine’ or ‘vinegar.’ It is an occupational surname for a vinegar merchant or it could be a given to foundlings.
96. Vinci
The surname is derived from the given name Vincenzo, which means ‘to conquer.’ Leonardo da Vinci is a world-famous artist with this surname.
97. Viola
The surname is derived from the same first name. It means ‘violet’ and may be given as a color name or to a person with a shy personality.
98. Violy
Violy is derived from viola, which means ‘violet.’ It was originally given as a nickname to a fragile or timid person. Alternatively, it could also be an occupational surname for a fiddle or viol player.
99. Virtuoso
Virtuoso is an occupational surname for a person whose ancestors were associated with a musical instrument. It is also used as an English and Spanish surname.
100. Vista
The surname is mainly used in southern Italy. It is probably derived as a short form of the given name Bellavista and means ‘fine view.’
101. Vitale
The surname is another on the list of those derived from given names. Vitale, the given name, is derived from Late Latin Vitalis and means ‘of life’ or ‘vital.’
102. Vivenzio
Vivenzio is derived from the same given name and the Latin Viventius. It is usually considered as a good omen or a well-wishing name and is derived from the Latin word vivere, which means ‘to live.’
103. Voltolini
Voltolini is a unique surname that is also a habitational name. It is for people from the alpine valley of Valtellina in Lombardy in North Italy.
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French Last Names That Start With V
French surnames that start with V are popular not only in France but also in other French-speaking countries such as Canada, Haiti, and French Polynesia. This list contains examples from all varieties.
104. Vadeboncœur
Pronounced as VA-DU-BAWN-KUUR, it is derived from the French phrase va de bon cœur, meaning ‘go with a good or merry heart.’ It is a popular surname in French Canada.
105. Vaillancourt
The surname is an alternative form of Willencourt and Villencourt. It is considered a habitational name from Willencourt in Pas-de-Calais.
106. Vaillant
Originally used as a nickname for a courageous or robust person, Vaillant transitioned into a last name over the years. It is derived from Old French vaillant, which means ‘sturdy’ or ‘brave’ and is also used as an English and Dutch surname.
107. Val
The short name is a topographic surname for someone from a valley. It is used in Haiti, too. Moreover, Val is considered a Spanish, Galician, and Portuguese surname, too.
108. Valade
The variant of Vallée also is a topographical name for a person who comes from a valley. It is derived from Old French and means ‘valley.’
109. Valcourt
The topographic name was originally given to a person who lived in a small valley. It is derived from French val and court, which means ‘short valley.’ Valcourt could also be a habitational name and is rarely used in France but is more often used in Haiti.
110. Vallee
Also spelled as Vallée in French, this topographic name is for a person who lived or lives in a valley. It may also be a habitational surname.
111. Valère
The surname is derived from the same given name and the Roman family name Valerius. It has Latin roots and means ‘to be strong.’
112. Vallera
The habitational name is derived from Vallery in Yonne, also known as Valerianus. It is also used as an English surname.
113. Valette
The dainty French surname originated as a topographic name for a person who lives in a valley. It is derived from the Old French word valee, which means ‘valley.’ On the other hand, it could be a habitational name from several places named La Valette in France.
114. Vallier
Derived from a vernacular form of a given name, Vallier comes from the Latin name Valerius, which means ‘to be strong.’ Alternatively, it could be a topographic name for someone from a valley or a habitational name from (La) Vallière.
115. Valmont
Also used as an English surname, Valmont means ‘hill of the vale.’ It is a topographic surname.
116. Valois
Valois may be a topographic name for someone from a valley. It could also be a habitational name derived from different places named Val(l)ois all over France.
117. Vangarde
Often used as an occupational surname, Vangarde means ‘a soldier in the leading edge of an army formation.’ It is also spelled as Vanguard.
118. Varin
The French surname is derived from the ancient Germanic personal name Warino. It is considered a short form of names with the element warin, which means ‘protection,’ ‘shelter,’ or ‘guard.’
119. Vasseur
Vasseur is a status name derived from Old French and means ‘vassal of vassals.’ It used to be given to a tenant immediately below a baron.
120. Vassie
A surname that originated as a nickname, Vassie was often given to a cheerful person as it means ‘playful’ or ‘merry.’ It is used as an English surname, too.
121. Vauquelin
A variant of Voclain and derived from the given name Vauquelin, this surname has roots in Germanic languages. It means ‘foreigner,’ ‘Celt,’ or ‘Roman.’
122. Vaux
A habitational surname, this name is derived from any of the places with the same name in France. It is the Old French plural form of val, meaning ‘valley,’ and is also used as an English and Scottish surname.
128. Verdé
Also spelled as Verde, this surname is derived from the Spanish word verde, which means ‘green.’ It may be a nickname or even a habitational name.
124. Verdier
Another name derived from Latin, this surname is considered an occupational name for a forester or someone who works in a garden or orchard. It is derived from the Old French word verdier, meaning ‘green.’
125. Verdon
Another habitational name, this surname is derived from several places named (Le) Verdon in France. It is also used as an English surname.
126. Verdun
Created as a habitational name, Verdun is derived from several places with the same name in France. It is possibly of Gaulish origin and means ‘alder’ and ‘fortress.’ It is also used as a Spanish, Catalan, and English surname.
127. Vergan
Also written as Vergau and du Vergau, this Huguenot French surname is derived from a given name. It is derived from the Latin name Virginius.
128. Verlaine
Used both in France and Belgium, this habitational name is derived from Verlaine in Liège, Belgium. The famous French poet Paul Verlaine was a well-known bearer of this surname.
129. Vermont
A rarely used surname, Vermont is a topographic name meaning ‘green mountain.’ It can also be spelled as Verdmont.
Did you know?130. Verne
Pronounced as VURN, Verne is a topographic surname for someone who lived near an orchard of alder trees or ferns (in English). Alternatively, it could be an occupational name for a seller of ferns. Jules Verne, the French author known for writing classic science fiction books, is a famous personality with this name. He is known for writing books such as Journey to the Center of the Earth and Around the World in Eighty Days (3)
131. Verney
Another habitational surname, Verney was derived from Vernai, a parish in Normandy. It came to England with the Normans and is now used as an English surname.
132. Vernier
Vernier could have several meanings. It could be a topographic surname for a person who lived near an alder tree. Alternatively, it could be a variant of Garnier, which means ‘cautious army.’
133. Véron
Also spelled as Veron, it is probably derived from the Old French word veron, which means ‘boar.’
134. Vezina
The French-Canadian surname is considered the variant of Vézinat or Vésinat. It is a topographic name derived from voisin, which means ‘neighboring.’ It could also be a habitational name with Latin roots and mean ‘neighboring village.’
135. Victor
The strong surname is derived from the same given name and means ‘victor’ or ‘conqueror’ in Latin. It is also used as an English surname.
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136. Vigneau
Derived from the Occitan vinhier meaning ‘vineyard,’ it might have been an occupational name for someone who worked in a vineyard. Alternatively, Vigneau could also be a status name or a habitational name.
137. Villette
The French surname is an alternative form of Ouellet, which may mean ‘mattock.’ It originated as a nickname for a maker or user of this instrument.
138. Vincent
The surname is also derived from the same given name. It has Latin roots and means ‘to conquer.’ Vincent is also used as an English surname.
139. Vinyet
As an occupational surname, Vinyet is given to a wine grower or merchant and is derived from vin, meaning ‘wine.’ Moreover, it could be a habitational name from places named (Le) Vinet in France.
140. Voclain
Voclain is a French surname derived from the Old French given name Vauquelin. The name is derived from Old Frankish or Old High German and means ‘foreigner,’ ‘Celt,’ or ‘Roman.’
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Russian Last Names That Start With V
Russian last names are known for their distinctive sound. These last names with V are some of the most popular ones in Russia.
141. Vadimovna
Vadimovna is a surname derived from a given name. It means ‘daughter of Vadim.’ It may have Slavic roots and may mean ‘peace’ and ‘world.’
142. Valentina
The Russian surname is considered the feminine form of Valentin and means ‘strong’ and ‘healthy.’ It is also used as a Bulgarian and Macedonian surname and has several variations including Valentinov and Valentinova.
143. Varfolomeyev
The -ev suffix in this surname is used to denote ancestry. The surname means ‘son of Varfolomey,’ which is a derivative of Bartholomew. It can be traced back to the ancient Aramaic language and means ‘furrowed.’
144. Varsonofyev
The rare Russian surname means ‘son of Varsonofy,’ which can be traced back to the Ancient Greek name Barsanouphios. Its variant is Varsonofiev.
145. Vasilev
Vasilev is a Russian and Bulgarian surname that means ‘son of Vasil.’ It has Greek roots and means ‘king.’ Vasilyev and Vasiliev is its Russian variant.
146. Vasilov
The name is similar to Vasilev and has a similar meaning in Russian, too. However, in Bulgarian, Vasilov means ‘from Bulgaria.’ Some of its variants are Vosilov, Vasylov, and Vasilova.
147. Vasin
The Russian surname is derived from the given name Vasya. These names come from Basil, which means ‘king.’
148. Vays
Written as Vayss, Vaiss, Vais, and Vajs, this surname is the Russian, Ukrainian, and Belarusian variant of the German surname Weiss. It is derived from Middle High German wiz or Yiddish vais, both of which mean ‘white.’
149. Velikanov
The surname originated as a nickname from the Russian word velikan, which means ‘giant.’ Velikanov is also used as a surname in Ukraine.
150. Vengerov
The habitational surname is derived from the word vengr, which means ‘Hungarian.’ It is used as a Russian and Ukrainian surname.
151. Verkhoturov
The family name can be considered modern and hence, is rarely used. It is a habitational surname derived from Verkhoturye, a city in the Urals on the river Tura.
152. Vikentiyev
The surname is considered a variant of Vikentiev, which comes from Vincent and means ‘to conquer.’ Apart from Vikentiev, this name has other variants such as Vikentiyeva and Vikentieva.
153. Viktorov
The surname means ‘son of Viktor,’ and hence, is a descendent of Victor, which means ‘victor’ or ‘conqueror.’ Viktorov appears in several languages in different ways such as Victor in English and French and Victorsson in Swedish.
154. Vilkin
Vilkin is a surname derived from a nickname. It comes from the Russian word vilka, which means ‘fork’ or ‘pitchfork,’ and is used as a Belarusian surname, too.
155. Vinogradov
The Russian surname is derived from German and means ‘vineyard.’ It could either be a topographic surname for a person who lives near a vineyard or an occupational surname for a person working in one.
156. Vladimirov
Another Russian surname derived from a given name, Vladimirov means ‘son of Vladimir.’ It has Slavic roots and means ‘rule,’ ‘great,’ ‘famous,’ ‘peace’ and ‘world.’
157. Vladimirovich
The surname also means ‘son of Vladimir.’ As such, it can be considered a variant of Vladimirov and Vladimiroff.
158. Vladimirsky
Vladimirsky is a rarely used surname and is considered a habitational one. It is derived from Vladimir Oblast in western Russia.
159. Vlasov
The surname is common in Russia and could either mean ‘simple’ or ‘hair’ depending on the root elements. It has a few variants such as Vlasoff and Vlasova.
160. Voinov
The surname is derived from the word coin, which means ‘warrior’ or ‘soldier.’ It could be an occupational name for a soldier or someone associated with the military.
161. Volevakha
A surname derived from a nickname, Volevakha comes from the same Russian word and means ‘wilful’ or ‘stubborn.’ It is pronounced as və-lyi-VA-khə.
162. Volkoff
The surname is the Anglicized form of the Russian surname Volkov. It means ‘wolf’ and is quite common in Russia.
163. Volkonsky
The habitational name is derived from the region of the Volkona river near Moscow. Written as Volkonskiy, Volkonski, and Wolkonsky, this surname is also associated with Russian nobility (4).
164. Volkov
The patronymic name originated as a nickname from the Russian word volk, which means ‘wolf.’ Volkova is its feminine form. Both these surnames are common in Russia.
165. Volkovsky
Volkovsky is a habitational surname derived from the town named Volikovski. It is derived from the Russian word volk, which means ‘wolf.’
166. Volodchenko
The surname is derived from a given name and means ‘son of Volodymyr.’ The roots of these names can be traced back to Slavic and mean ‘rule,’ ‘great,’ and ‘famous.’ Volodchenko is commonly used in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.
167. Vorona
The surname has Proto-Slavic roots and means ‘crow.’ Varona is its feminine variant.
Did you know?168. Voronin
The surname is derived from the Proto-Balto-Slavic word warnas, which means ‘raven’ or ‘crow.’ Voronin is also used in Belarus and Ukraine.
169. Voronkov
The Russian surname originated as a nickname from the Russian word voron, which means ‘raven.’ It was possibly used for someone with black hair or a harsh voice. Voronkova is its feminine counterpart.
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170. Voronov
Another surname derived from the Russian word voron, Voronov also means ‘raven’ or ‘crow.’ Its feminine form is Voronova.
171. Vorontsova
The surname is associated with Russian nobility. The members of this family became Counts of the Holy Roman Empire and Princes of the Russian Empire. Yekaterina Romanovna Vorontsova-Dashkova is a major historical figure of the Russian Enlightenment (5).
172. Vorotyntsev
Pronounced as və-ru-TIN-tsif, this habitational name is derived from several places with similar names in Russia. It has several variations such as Vorotyntseff, Vorotyntzeff, Vorotynzeff, and Worotinzeff.
173. Voschikov
The occupational surname is the Russian translation of ‘carter.’ Its feminine form is Voschikova.
174. Vovin
Vovin is derived from the given name Vova and means ‘rule,’ ‘great,’ and ‘famous.’ It is also used as a Belarusian surname.
175. Voznesensky
Voznesensky is a common Russian surname that could be habitational. Its feminine form is Voznesenskaya and neutral form is Voznesenskoye. A notable personality with this name is Andrei Voznesensky, Russian poet and writer, he is considered one of the greatest poets in any language.
176. Vtorak
The surname can be derived from the Russian word vtoroy, which means ‘second’ or ‘other,’ or the Ukrainian word vtorak, which means ‘second born.’ It is pronounced ftu-RAK in Russian and wto-RAHK in Ukrainian.
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German Last Names That Start With V
German last names that start with V often share their roots with Latin and ancient Germanic languages. These are a combination of strong last names.
177. Vader
A surname derived from a nickname, Vader means ‘father’ or ‘senior.’ In the Middle Ages, this name was used to address someone who was older or had greater rank.
178. Valee
The surname is considered topographic and habitational. It has French origins and is given to someone who lives in a valley or comes from one.
179. Valentin
Derived from the same given name, Valentin means ‘strong’ and ‘healthy.’ It is used in several languages including French, Spanish, Haitian Creole, Croatian, and Romansh.
180. Vallie
Considered an alternative spelling of Valee, this surname is given to a person who lived in a valley. Another spelling variant of Vallie is Wallee.
181. Van Bergen
The family name is considered a variant of Bergen and is a habitational name. It could also mean ‘mountain.’ Van Bergen has numerous variants including Berg, Van der Berg, Von Bergen, Berger, and Van Den Berge.
182. Vanderbilt
A topographic family name, Vanderbilt is derived from the Middle Low German word bulte, which means ‘mound’ or ‘low hill.’ It is given to a person living near a low hill.
183. Vandervoort
A topographic surname, Vandervoort is given to a person who lived by a ford or a crossing point. It is also used as a Dutch and Flemish last name.
184. Varner
Varner is a habitational name derived from Farn near Oberkirch or Fahrnau near Schopfheim. It is used predominantly in South Germany.
185. Veers
A rarely used surname, Veers is considered a variant of Weers. These names come from Wier, which means ‘battle’ and ‘army.’
186. Veis
The surname is the Yiddish variant of Weiss and means ‘white.’ It could have been derived as a nickname for a person with white hair or skin.
187. Veit
The surname is derived from the same given name and is comes from Latin vita, which means ‘life.’ It could be considered a variant of Vieth as both have the same origins.
188. Velte
A German variant of Velten, this surname is derived from Valentin. It means ‘strong’ and ‘healthy.’
189. Vermette
The surname is derived from a given name and is considered a variant of Mette. It could either be derived from Margaret, which means ‘pearl,’ or from Matilda, which means ‘strength in battle.’
190. Verstappen
The surname is a contraction of van der stappen, which means ‘from or of the steps.’ It is also used as a Dutch surname. One of the most notable personalities with this name is Max Verstappen, Formula One World Champion.
191. Vesper
Vesper could have originated from a nickname from Latin vesper, which means ‘6 o’clock in the evening’ or ‘evening time.’ It could also be a habitational name from a place on the Ruhr river.
192. Vetter
Derived from a nickname, Vetter comes from Middle High German veter(e), which means ‘uncle’ or ‘nephew.’ In modern German, Vetter means ‘cousin.’
193. Viener
The surname originated as a variant of Weiner and is an occupational name that means ‘wagon maker’ or ‘cartwright.’ Viener is usually used in Austria.
194. Vierling
Pronounced as FEER-ling, this surname is derived from Middle High German vierlinc, which means ‘one-fourth of a measure.’ It was a nickname for a person with this amount of tax liability.
195. Vieth
The German surname is derived from the given name Veit. These names have Latin roots and mean ‘life.’
196. Vietmeyer
Pronounced as Feet-my-yaah, the surname originated as a title for a tenant farmer who was obligated to a property of Saint Veith. It is also spelled as Vietmeÿer.
197. Villard
The surname is one of the few last names derived from a female personal name. It comes from Hildegard and means ‘battle fortress.’ Villard is also used as a Galician and Portuguese.
198. Villasurda
Villasurda, one of the Viking surnames, was originally a nickname during the Viking times and gradually became a last name. It has Norse roots and means ‘one who is fat.’
199. Villwock
There are several theories for this surname’s meaning and origin. However, the most popular one is that it is derived from Middle Low German vil, meaning ‘very,’ and woch, meaning ‘daring.’
200. Vissers
The German occupational surname is a variant of Fischer. It means ‘fisherman’ in German and is used as a Flemish and Dutch surname too.
201. Voelker
Also written as Völker, this surname is a variant of Volker. It is derived from ancient German and means ‘people’ and ‘army.’
202. Vogel
Vogel is an occupational name derived from Old High German and Old Dutch fogal, which means ‘bird.’ Its English equivalents are Bird or Byrd, while its French variant may be L’Oiseau.
203. Vögele
The surname was derived as a diminutive of Vogel and means ‘bird.’ It is used in Swabian and Swiss German.
204. Vögeli
The surname is a Swiss German diminutive of Vogel. It means ‘bird’ and has roots in Old High German and Old Dutch.
205. Vogelsang
The poetic surname is derived from the German words vogel, which means ‘bird’ and sang, which means ‘song.’ It could be a topographic surname.
206. Vogl
The surname was derived as a variant of Vogel. It is predominantly used in Austria.
207. Vogler
The occupational suranme originated as a name for a person who catches birds. It is used among Ashkenazi Jews, too. The Duke of Saxony in the 10th century was named Heinrich der Vogler. Another famous person with this name is Georg Joseph Vogler, a German composer, organist, teacher, and theorist.
208. Voight
The family name is the Americanized or Anglicized form of Vogt and means ‘bailiff.’ The birth name of actress Angelina Jolie is Angelina Jolie Voight.
209. Vogt
The German surname has Latin roots and is considered an occupational surname. It is derived from the Middle High German word voget, which means ‘bailiff,’ ‘administrator,’ or ‘steward.’
210. Vogts
The patronymic is a variant of Vogt and means ‘bailiff’ or ‘steward.’ It has other variants such as Voigt and Voigts.
211. Volk
Volk is derived from given names that begin with the Old High German element folk, which means ‘people,’ such as Fulk, Volker, and Fulbert. Voll is a variant of Volk.
212. Volker
Spelled variously as Folker and Voelker, this surname is derived from the same given name. It means ‘people’ and ‘army.’
213. Volkmuth
The occupational surname is derived from the German elements volk, which means ‘people,’ and muth, meaning ‘voice.’
214. Volksmärchen
Pronounced as vol-mahr-shen, this surname means ‘folktale.’ It could be an occupational name for a storyteller or simply a descriptive name.
215. Vollbrecht
Derived from the same German personal name, Vollbrecht means ‘people’ and ‘bright.’ It is often Americanized as Fulbright or Fullbright.
216. Völler
Pronounced as FUU-lu, this surname is the German cognate for Fuller and is a variant of Voll. Fuller is an occupational name, while Voll means ‘people.’
217. Vollmar
Also spelled as Vollmer, Volkmar, and Volkmer, this surname is a variant of Waldemar. It contains ancient Germanic elements that mean ‘people’ and ‘famous.’
218. Von Achterberg
The habitational surname is a variant of Achterberg. It could be derived from various places in the Netherlands and Germany and means ‘behind the mountain.’
219. Von Allmen
The Swiss German topographic name is derived from Middle High German alm, which means ‘mountain pasture,’ combined with the preposition von, which means ‘from.’
220. Von Arx
Also written as von Arx, this surname is considered habitational and is derived from a place with the same name in Switzerland. It means ‘from Arx.’
221. Von Brandt
The surname is derived from the Middle High German word brant. It means ‘from the area cleared by fire’ and is considered a topographic name.
222. Von Der Lehr
Also spelled as Vondiller, this surname means ‘from the marshy place.’ It is a topographic name.
223. Von Essen
The surname means ‘from Essen.’ It was derived as a habitational name from the city in Germany and possibly contains the element asc, which means ‘ash tree.’
224. Von Grimmelshausen
The surname might be a mouthful but it has a simple meaning. It is a habitational name and means ‘from Grimmelshausen,’ a town in Germany. One of the most popular personalities with this name was Hans Jakob Christoffel von Grimmelshausen, a 17th-century author, known for writing the picaresque novel Simplicius Simplicissimus.
225. Von Hammersmark
The surname means ‘from Hammersmark.’ It became popular after a character named Bridget Von Hammersmark appeared in the 2009 movie Inglourious Basterds.
226. Von Ingersleben
A habitational surname that means ‘from Ingersleben,’ Von Ingersleben could be derived from Inge, which refers to the Germanic god Ing and possibly means ‘ancestor.’
227. Von Stauffenberg
The surname is derived from the former castle Burg Stauffenberg in Swabia. The von Stauffenberg family was considered nobility.
228. Von Sydow
Another noble surname, Von Sydow originated in Pomerania. It is used as a Swedish surname as well.
229. Von Whittenmeyer
The surname has several origins but the most popular theory is that Whitten means ‘white’ and meyer means ‘superior’ or ‘ruler.’
230. Vonnegut
Vonnegut is a German surname that contains two elements vonn(e), which means ‘by,’ ‘from,’ or ‘of,’ and gut, which means ‘good,’ A notable person with this name was Kurt Vonnegut, an American author, known for his books such as Slaughterhouse-Five and Cat’s Cradle (6).
231. Vorwald
Vorwald is a topographic name derived from Middle High German. It means ‘in front of a forest.’
232. Vosberg
The surname is considered a topographic name for a person who lived by a hill frequented by foxes. It is derived from Middle Low German.
233. Voss
Voss first originated as a nickname before transitioning into a last name. It is derived from Middle Low German vos, which means ‘fox,’ and was given to a clever person or someone with red hair.
234. Vossler
The surname is derived possibly as a variation of Voss. It means ‘fox’ and originated as a nickname.
235. Vought
Spelled variously as Vogt, Voget, Voit, Voigt, Voight, Voigh, and Vogtlin, this surname has Latin roots. It means ‘bailiff’ and is considered an occupational surname.
236. Vulgamott
Vulgamott is a variation of Wohlgemuth, a German surname that means ‘happy,’ ‘in good spirits,’ ‘well-intentioned,’ or ‘kind.’ It is also the German name for starflower.
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Latin Last Names That Start With V
The Roman empire was famous for using last names or cognomen starting with V. These names may not be in circulation now but are considered to be the foundation of contemporary names.
237. Valens
Valens may look like a small name but it has a powerful meaning. It is derived from the same Latin word and means ‘strong,’ ‘healthy,’ and ‘vigorous.’
238. Valentina
A feminine form of Valentinus, Valentina comes from the Latin word valens. It means ‘strong’ and ‘healthy.’
239. Valentinianos
The Roman name was derived from Valentinianus, which means ‘strong’ and ‘healthy.’ It was also used in Greek as Oualentinianos.
240. Valentinianus
Another derivative of Valentinus, this surname was popular during the Roman era with three Roman emperors sharing it.
241. Valentinus
The original form of various surnames, Valentinus is the inspiration for several names and surnames including Valentine, Valentin, and Walenty. It means ‘strong’ and ‘healthy.’
Did you know?242. Valentius
Valentia was given to plebeian families in ancient Rome. Valentius is derived from valens and means ‘to be strong.’
243. Valerianus
Valerianus is a Roman cognomen derived from the given name Valerius. These names are derived from the Latin word valere, which means ‘to be strong.’
244. Valerius
Derived from the Roman family name, this surname comes from valere, which means ‘to be strong.’ It is now used in several languages. Its feminine form is spelled Valeria.
245. Valgius
Originally used as a nickname, Valgius slowly transitioned into a last name over time. It means ‘bow legs.’
246. Varenus
Usually, Roman family names ending with -enus were derived from other names or places. The surname may be from towns in Umbria and Sabina.
247. Varinius
The Roman family name possibly was derived from Varius. It means ‘versatile’ in Latin.
248. Varius
A Roman family name or cognomen, this surname was derived from the Latin word meaning ‘versatile.’ Varius Rufus is a notable poet with this name. He is known for his epic Thyestes (7).
249. Varro
A Roman family name, Varro has a possible Etruscan origin. Gaius Terentius Varro was a well-known Roman general during the 2nd century BC. Another notable person with this name was Publius Terentius Varro Atacinus, a Roman poet.
250. Varronius
Derived from the Roman name Varro, this family name has an obscure origin. However, it is believed that it has Etruscan roots.
251. Varus
Varus is a family name that possibly originated as a nickname. It means ‘bow-legged,’ ‘knock-kneed,’ or ‘crooked.’ A notable figure with this name was Publius Quinctilius Varus, a Roman general under emperor Augustus.
252. Velii
Velii is a topographic name derived from the Velian Hill in Rome. It could also be from the town of Velia in Lucania.
253. Venator
Venator is an occupational surname derived from the Latin word for ‘hunter.’ It could be given to a hunter or a person with a hunting team.
254. Venerius
The surname may have been derived from the Occitan word vinhier, which means ‘vineyard.’ The contemporary Italian name Venerio is derived from Venerius.
255. Vergilius
The Latin form of Virgil, the meaning of this surname could be ‘the Pleiades.’ Virgilius is a variant of this surname.
256. Verginius
Also spelled as Virginius, this suranme is associated with the Latin word virgo, which means ‘maid’ or ‘virgin.’ Several names such as Virginia and Gigi are derived from Verginius.
257. Verinus
Several Roman surnames are derived to convey truthfulness. Verinus is one of them as it is derived from the Latin word verus, which means ‘true.’
258. Verissimus
The surname is derived from a Latin word that means ‘very true.’ It is now used as Verissimo in Italian and Portuguese.
259. Vespasianus
Vespasianus is a Roman cognomen that could have multiple meanings. It could be derived from vesper, which means ‘west’ or ‘evening,’ or vespa, which means ‘wasp.’
260. Vetilii
Also written as Vecilii, Vetilii was a plebeian name in Rome. There is not much known about this name, though it is believed to have Etruscan origins.
261. Vettius
It is believed that Vettius is derived from the Latin word vectio, which means ‘transportation,’ ‘transfer,’ or ‘towing.’ Gaius Vettius Aquilinus Juvencus was a Roman Christian saint and poet, well-known for his works on the history of Jesus Christ.
262. Veturius
A Roman family name also used as a first name, Veturius is derived from vetus or veturius, which means ‘senior,’ ‘expert,’ ‘veteran,’ or ‘with long experience.’ It is the root of Veturia and associated with ancient Roman religion.
263. Viator
Viator is a Late Latin name that means ‘voyager’ or ‘traveler.’ It could also be associated with the Latin word beatus, which means ‘blessed’ or ‘happy.’
264. Vibianus
A Roman cognomen from Vibius, Vibianus could have Estrucan origins. Its feminine variant is Vibiana.
265. Vibullius
One of the rare surnames of ancient Rome, Vibullius belonged to a minor family. It could be derived from Vibius.
266. Vibius
A rare Roman name, Vibius was used both as a praeroman or first name and cognomen or family name. It gave rise to the patronymic Vibia.
267. Victorianus
A Roman name derived from Victor, it means ‘victor’ or ‘conqueror.’ It is now used in different forms in French and Spanish.
268. Victorinus
Another Roman family name derived from Victor, this name also means ‘victor.’ A notable bearer of the name was Marcus Piavonius Victorinus, emperor of the Gallic provinces in the 3nd century AD.
269. Villius
A surname that is often used as a first name, Villius was associated with two different families in ancient Rome. Publius Villius Tappulus and Lucius Villius, both politicians in the 2nd century AD, were well-known people from these families.
270. Vincentius
The surname is derived from the Latin word vincere, which means ‘to conquer.’ It is now the root of names such as Vincent and Enzo.
271. Vindex
A Roman cognomen that showed courage, Vindex means ‘champion,’ ‘avenger,’ or ‘defender.’ The most notable person with this name is Caius Iulius Vindex, the governor of Gaul, who revolted against emperor Nero (8).
272. Vinicius
Derived from the Latin word vinum, Vinicius is possibly an occupational name that means ‘wine.’ It is the root for the modern Italian and Spanish name Vinicio.
273. Vinitius
Derived from the Latin word vinitor, Vinitius could be considered an occupational name. It means ‘one who works on a vineyard’ or ‘wine-grower.’
274. Vipsanius
The Roman family name was one of the several nomens typically derived from place names. Vipsanius was a plebeian family name of equestrian rank. The most well-known figure of this name was Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, Roman general, statesman, and architect. He was the son-in-law and closest advisor of the Roman emperor Augustus (9).
275. Viridianus
The family name or cognomen is derived from the Roman name Viridius. It could come from the Latin viridis, which means ‘green.’
276. Vistilia
Also spelled as Vestilia, this name was given to a minor family in ancient Rome. It was possibly derived from Umbria in northern Italy.
277. Vitalianus
The Roman cognomen was derived from Vitalis. It comes from the same Latin word and means ‘of life’ or ‘vital.’
278. Vitellius
Many Roman names were given to show strength and vitality. Vitellius is one of them as it is derived from the Latin word vitellus, which means ‘young calf.’ A notable historical person with this name was Emperor Vitellus, the third of the four Roman emperors in 69 AD (10).
279. Vitruvius
Vitruvius is an ancient Roman family name. One of the most popular people with this name was Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, mononymously known as Vitruvius, a Roman architect who wrote the multi-volume book De architectura (11). It is regarded as the first book on architecture. Leonardo Da Vinci created the Vitruvian Man based on the former’s theories.
280. Vitus
Vitus is a Roman name derived from vita, which means ‘life.’ This surname became popular with Saint Vitus, a 4th-century saint and martyr from Sicily (12).
281. Viventius
One of the several names that convey good health and wishes, Viventius is derived from the Latin word vivere, which means ‘to live.’ Viventius was the name of the first Quaestor sacri palatii, a lawmaker, in the Roman empire in 364 AD.
282. Volesus
Written variously as Valesius, Valesus, Volero, and Volusus, this family name is also used as a first name. It is either derived from the word valere, which means ‘to be strong,’ or the word volo, which means ‘to wish’ or ‘to desire.’
283. Volumnius
A Roman family name with several meanings, Volumnius could have been derived from the Latin word volumen, which means ‘roll’ or ‘scroll.’ On the other hand, it could be derived from the name of the Roman god Volumnus.
284. Volusius
A variant of Volesus and Volusus, this family name could mean ‘to be strong.’ It could also mean ‘to will,’ ‘to wish,’ or ‘to desire.’ A prominent historical figure with this name was Quintus Volusius Saturninus, a Roman senator and consul in the Roman empire during the 1st century.
285. Vopiscus
Vopiscus was a Latin praeroman or first name, which later transitioned into a cognomen or last name. It was already rare during the 1st century BC and was sometimes found as an abbreviation Vop.
286. Vorac
Pronounced as VOR-AK, this surname is derived from the Latin word vorax. It means ‘ravenous’ or ‘greedy’ and possibly originated as a nickname.
Japanese Last Name That Start With V
The Japanese script does not include the V sound into its phonetics. Hence, it is difficult to find Japanese surnames that start with V.
287. Vatanabe
A variation of Watanabe, this surname means ‘cross,’ ‘ferry,’ ‘area,’ and ‘place.’ This variation is usually used among ethnic Japanese in certain areas of Russia.
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Filipino Last Names That Start With V
The Philippines has always been a hotbed for travelers and traders. Hence, it comes as no surprise that Filipino last names that start with V have a variety of influences.
288. Valeriano
Derived from the same given name, this surname has Latin roots. It is derived from a Roman family name that comes from valere, which means ‘to be strong.’ It is also used as a Portuguese and Italian surname.
289. Vallejo
A Spanish surname derived from the description of a place, Vallejo is used in the Philippines. It is a topographical name for someone who lived in a small valley.
290.Veneracion
Pronounced as veh-neh-ru-SHAWN, this surname is derived from the Spanish word veneración, meaning ‘veneration.’ It is one of the devotional names that is popular in the Philippines.
291. Vergel De Dios
Another Filipino surname, Vergel De Dios means ‘garden of God’ in Spanish. It has another variant spelled as Vergeldedios.
292. Verzosa
A habitational name, this surname is a variant of Berzosa. It is a habitational name from several places named Berzosa in Castilia and means ‘cabbage.’ It is rarely used in Spain but is used in the Philippines.
293. Viernes
Pronounced both as VYEHR-nehs and BYEHR-nehs, Viernes means Friday in Spanish. It may have originated as a nickname and then transitioned into a last name.
294. Villaflor
A habitational name for several places in Castile-León, this musical last name has Spanish roots. It is derived from the elements villa, which means ‘farmstead’ or ‘settlement,’ and flor, which means ‘flower.’
295. Villafuerte
Another habitational family name with Spanish roots, this surname is derived from a place in Valladolid province. It consists of the elements villa, meaning ‘settlement,’ and fuerte, meaning ’strong.’
296. Villagonzalo
The surname is derived from the town of the same name in Badajoz, Spain. It is considered a habitational name.
297. Villagracia
The surname sounds graceful and sophisticated. It is pronounced as vi-lyu-GRU-shu. It could possibly mean ‘town’ and ‘blessing.’
298. Villahermosa
Also spelled as Villahermoso, this surname is a habitational name derived from several places in Spain. It is used both in the Philippines and in Latin America.
299. Villaluz
Villaluz is a habitational name derived from either of the two places named Villaluz in Spain. It means ‘town’ and ‘light.’
300. Villamor
Villamor is a Filipino surname pronounced as vi-lyu-MAWR. It is a habitational name from the town of Villamor de los Escuderos in Castile-León.
301. Villareal
A variant of the Spanish Villarreal, this surname is used mainly in the Philippines and Columbia. It is considered a habitational name that means ‘town’ and ‘royal.’
302. Villarin
The Filipino surname was derived as a diminutive of Villar. It is a habitational name and means ‘town’ or ‘settlement.’
303. Villarosa
Also spelled alternatively as Villaroza, this Filipino surname is given to a person from the town of the same name in Sicily. It is pronounced as vi-lyu-RAW-su.
304. Villaruel
The Hispanic surname mainly used in the Philippines, Villaruel is a variant of the Spanish surname Villarruel. It is one of the many surnames in the language that indicate a ‘town.’
305. Villaruz
Also spelled as Villacruz, these Hispanic surnames are derivatives of Villaluz. It is mainly used in the Philippines.
306. Villegas
A Tagalog surname, Villegas is derived from Spanish. It is a habitational surname from a place with the same name in Burgos province.
307. Viray
Viray is a Filipino surname predominantly used in Kapampangan Pangasinan and Tagalog. It is derived from biray, a type of boat.
308. Vitug
The short surname may be used as a topographic name. It is derived from bitog, an Ilokano word that means ‘wild bananas.’
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Discover More Names
When you have to choose a name for your baby, a few hundreds of names may not be just enough. Keep digging our mine of baby names until you find that one precious gem.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are some Russian family names starting with V?
Some common Russian family names starting with V are Vasilev, which means ‘son of Vasil,’ Viktorov, which means ‘son of Viktor,’ and Volkov, which means ‘wolf.’
2. Which are the most popular last names starting with V?
According to the SSA, Vazquez and Velazquez showed maximum change in frequency between 2000 and 2010 in the US (13).
Last names that start with V hold a special charm and make families who bear them unique. Though they have diverse origins and meanings, these names have a sophisticated tone that helps them stay distinguished. From the Spanish Vasquez to the French Verne, these surnames have rich cultural ties. Most of these names are derived from locations or occupations, making them a guiding point for tracing a family’s ancestry. These last names help the families celebrate their unique identities and rejoice in the stories of their ancestors.
Infographic: 8 Most Well-Known Last Names Starting With V
Last names that start with V have been found in Ancient Roman texts. From then until now, these names were used as patronymics, family names, nicknames, and even first names. Last names with V have a stylish sound and are popular in Spain, Italy, Germany, France, and Russia. Look at the infographic below for some of the most well-known surnames starting with V.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Personal Experience: Source
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i. Vazquez Origin.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0ByQJb2KO4
References
- Revolt at Mission San Gabriel, October 25, 1785: Judicial Proceedings and Related Documents.
https://scholarcommons.scu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1077&context=history - Vega (α Lyrae) Facts.
https://nineplanets.org/vega-%CE%B1-lyrae/ - Jules Verne and His Geographical Novels.
https://blogs.loc.gov/maps/2022/01/jules-verne-and-his-geographical-novels/ - Wolkonsky, Marina, 1893-1985.
https://findingaids.library.northwestern.edu/agents/people/2023 - The Enlightened Virago: Princess Dashkova through the Eyes of Others.
https://www.ed.ac.uk/files/atoms/files/princess_dashkova_the_woman_who_shook_the_world_accessible.pdf - Kurt Vonnegut.
https://www.albany.edu/writers-inst/webpages4/archives/vonnegutkurt.html - Varius Rufus, Thyestes and the appetites of Antony.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/cambridge-classical-journal/article/abs/varius-rufus-thyestes-and-the-appetites-of-antony1/EBFBC6128F46327952E9979A7C9CC994 - Rebellion of Caius Iulius Vindex against Emperor Nero.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328196116_Rebellion_of_Caius_Iulius_Vindex_against_Emperor_Nero - Marcus Agrippa.
https://www.worldhistory.org/Marcus_Agrippa/ - Vitellius.
https://www.worldhistory.org/Vitellius/ - Vitruvius Pollio, The Ten Books on Architecture: Morris Hicky Morgan, Ed.
https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Vitr.%207.preface&lang=original - S. Vitus.
https://www.duomomilano.it/en/spire/s-vito/ - Top Surnames.
https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/2016/comm/cb16-tps154_top_surnames.html
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