Vasiliou Surname Meaning

The Greek surname Vasiliou (Βασιλείου) is a patronymic name, meaning it is derived from the given name of a male ancestor. The root Vasili- comes from the first name Vasilis or Vasileios (Βασίλειος), which originates from the Ancient Greek word basileús, meaning “king” or “royal.” This name became deeply rooted in Greek society through early Christian tradition and the veneration of Saint Basil the Great, one of the most influential theologians of the Orthodox Church. The suffix -ou is a genitive marker used in Greek surnames to indicate descent or family association, meaning “of” or “belonging to.” Consequently, the surname Vasiliou signifies “the descendant of Vasilis” or, more literally, “of the royal one.”