Surname Nicolescu - Meaning and Origin
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Nicolescu: What does the surname Nicolescu mean?
The last name Nicolescu is derived from the Romanian word “nicolesc,” which means “descendant of Nicholas.” Nicholas is a popular name in Romania. Nicolescu can also be translated to mean “son of Nicholas,” suggesting that Nicholas was a common ancestor among those with this surname.
The Nicolescu name is extremely widespread in Romania, where it is one of the most popular last names. It is also common throughout the Balkan peninsula and among other Romanian diaspora around the world.
The Nicolescu family has a long and proud history. The Nicolescu were a noble family in Romania until the 19th century and many were noted military, political and business leaders. They owned extensive lands across the country and were highly respected by their peers.
Despite the long history of this surname, the exact origin is unclear and there are various theories about its ancestry. Some theorize that the Nicolescu name comes from a Greek surname. Others argue that it is of Slavic origin due to the frequent Nicolescu families in Romania, Bulgaria and Russia.
Whatever its origin, the name Nicolescu is sure to have a long and proud legacy in Romanian history and among those who bear the name today.
Order DNA origin analysisNicolescu: Where does the name Nicolescu come from?
The Nicolescu family name is most commonly found in Romania, Moldova and Ukraine. It is generally believed to have originated from the Northern Romanian principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia and is still widely used around the region today. According to the National Geographical Centre of Romania, Nicolescu is the 56th most common surname in the country. In Moldova, Nicolescu is the 13th most common last name, with over 2,500 people bearing the name. In Ukraine, the frequency of the name is quite low, with only about 100 people having it as their last name.
The Nicolescu family can trace its lineage to the earliest days of the Romanian principalities and its members have included a number of prominent figures throughout the country’s history. The family has had a long and storied history in the region and continues to be a significant force in shaping the culture and politics of the country.
Outside of its homelands, the Nicolescu family name has spread to other parts of Europe and the world, with descendants found in countries like the United States, France, Germany, Austria and Canada. However, the frequency of the name is much lower outside of the region, suggesting that the Nicolescu family heritage has remained largely preserved among its Romanian and Eastern European diasporas.
Variations of the surname Nicolescu
The surname Nicolescu is a variant of the Romanian surname Niculescu. It is an ancient Romanian surname derived from the archaic word "niculae," which has various meanings including "son of the people," "son of the voice," or "son of strength." This is a common surname among Romanians, and it is found in many variants such as Niculae, Nicolescu, Nitescu, Neacsu, and Niculita.
The most widely used alternative spelling is Niculae. This variant of the surname often includes additional letters such as 'es' or 'anu.' Niculaescu is also quite common, but it is often abbreviated to 'Nic'. This spelling is typically used by members of the same family. It is also the preferred spelling among international communities.
Nicolescu is often associated with the surname Neacsu, another Romanian surname derived from theword “neacsu.” This derivation has a similar meaning to Niculaea, meaning "son of the people" or “son of strength.” However, Neacsu is not as widely used as Nicolescu.
The surnames Niculita and Nitescu are also variants of Nicolescu found among Romanians. Niculita specifically comes from the feminine version of Niculae, “niculita.” Nitescu is derived from the Romanian word for night.
In conclusion, Nicolescu is the most common variant of the Romanian Niculescu surname. It is often found in different spellings or combined with other surnames, such as Neacsu, Niculita, and Nitescu.
Famous people with the name Nicolescu
- Mihail Nicolescu: Romanian composer, songwriter, and singer active during the Communist era.
- Cristian Niculescu: Romanian jazz pianist, composer, and orchestra conductor.
- Ștefan Nicolescu: Romanian writer and editor, primarily active in Romanian literature during the 1980s and 1990s.
- Răzvan Nicolescu: Romanian politician and former Prime Minister.
- Raed Arafat: Romanian government minister and former Secretary of State in the Romanian Ministry of Health.
- Mihnea Nicolescu: Romanian diplomat and politician who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2014 to 2017.
- Mircea Nicolascu: Romanian actor and the head of the Drama Department at the Ion Luca Caragiale National Theatre in Bucharest.
- Ioan Nicolae: Romanian football manager and former player, currently working as the manager of Liga I side FC Clinceni.
- Bogdan Nicolae: Romanian former football player and manager who managed the Romanian national football team from 1991 to 1994.
- Șerban Țiuței, better known as Serban Nicolescu: Romanian actor, director, and voice actor, who appeared in more than 70 films.