Escu

EsCu is a Romanian-language patronymic suffix used in surnames to indicate lineage, typically meaning “son of” or “descendant of.” It is one of the most common suffixes in Romanian surnames and appears across Romania and in Moldova, as well as in Romanian-speaking communities abroad. The form is gender neutral and does not change with the bearer’s gender; for example, a person named Maria Popescu carries the same surname as a male relative named Ion Popescu.

Origin and etymology

The suffix is of Latin influence, developed through the historical evolution of Romanian naming patterns. It attaches to a given name to form a family name that signals patrilineal descent. In many cases, names formed with -escu derive from male given names such as Ion, Petre, Ioan, or Georg, producing forms like Ionescu, Petrescu, Georgescu. This pattern parallels patronymic naming practices in other cultures, though the Romanian form remains fixed as a surname.

Usage and distribution

Escu- endings are widespread in Romanian-speaking regions and are common among the Romanian diaspora. They reflect traditional naming conventions that persisted through the medieval and early modern periods and continue to be productive in contemporary surname formation. The suffix contributes to a recognizable pattern in Romanian onomastics and can help indicate cultural heritage.

Examples

Common Romanian surnames ending in -escu include Ionescu, Popescu, Georgescu, and Petrescu. These illustrate how the suffix functions as a standard unit of name construction in Romanian tradition.

See also

Romanian surnames; Patronymics.