Economou Surname Meaning

The Greek surname Economou (Οικονόμου) is a patronymic and occupational surname, meaning it is derived from the role or title of a male ancestor. The root Econom- comes from the Ancient Greek word oikónomos (οἰκονόμος), meaning “steward,” “manager,” or “administrator of a household or estate.” This word is a compound of oîkos (“house”) and nómos (“management” or “order”), and was commonly used in Byzantine and post Byzantine Greece for individuals responsible for managing property, finances, or church assets. Such roles carried social trust and responsibility, especially within ecclesiastical and communal settings. The suffix -ou is a genitive marker used in Greek surnames to indicate descent or association, meaning “of” or “belonging to.” Consequently, the surname Economou signifies “the descendant of the steward” or, more literally, “of the household administrator.”