Map of Greek Surname Suffixes

This map visually represents the prevalence of Greek surname suffixes based on different regions within Greece and some adjacent areas like Cyprus and parts of Turkey.

The suffixes shown on the map indicate regional patterns of how surnames tend to end, which can often be traced back to historical, linguistic, or cultural influences.

Here’s a breakdown of the key suffixes and the regions where they are prevalent:

1. -as, -bas, -mas, -pas (Dark Green, Northern Greece): Common in northern regions like Macedonia and Thrace.
2. -oudas, -oudis, -akas (Northern Greece): Found mainly in northern Greece, particularly in Thrace and the border areas.
3. -oulos, -elos (Central Greece): Prevalent in Thessaly and parts of Epirus.
4. -etos, -atos (Western Greece, Ionian Islands): These suffixes are particularly common in the Ionian Islands and parts of western Greece.
5. -opoulos (Peloponnese): This suffix is very common in the Peloponnese region, indicating descent.
6. -akos, -eas (Southern Peloponnese): Found mainly in the Mani Peninsula of the Peloponnese.
7. -akis (Aegean Islands, Crete): Common in the Aegean islands, particularly Crete. It typically indicates diminutive form, often used to express a more affectionate or smaller version of a name.
8. -idis, -adis, -iadis (Asia Minor): Predominant in areas that historically had Greek populations, especially in modern-day Turkey.
9. -oglu (Asia Minor, Turkish Influence): Common in the regions of Asia Minor with Turkish influence; this suffix has Ottoman roots.
10. -elis, -illis (Aegean Islands): Found in parts of the Aegean and Anatolia.
11. -ou (Cyprus): Common in Cypriot surnames, where it denotes possession or lineage.

This map is a useful tool for understanding the geographical distribution of different surname patterns in Greek-speaking regions and highlights how names are influenced by historical and linguistic contexts in each area.