Kostis Surname Meaning

The Greek surname Kostis (Κωστής) is a patronymic surname derived directly from a given name that itself developed as a stable and widely used form of Konstantinos (Κωνσταντίνος). While Kostis originally emerged as a familiar or shortened form, it became established as an independent personal name in many regions of Greece, particularly in rural communities where formal and informal name usage often overlapped. As hereditary surnames began to stabilize, families retained the personal name unchanged rather than adding a patronymic suffix. Consequently, the surname Kostis signifies “the descendant of Kostis” or “the family of the one named Kostis,” reflecting lineage rooted in personal identification rather than occupation or physical description.