Victor
A surname from the Latin personal name meaning “conqueror.”
The #3,214 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 27,483 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Victor comes from the Latin personal name Victor, literally meaning “conqueror” or “winner.” As a surname, it usually began as a hereditary form of the given name rather than from an occupation or place. In English and French usage, it was adopted as a personal name and then passed on as a family name.
History
The name was well established in Christian Europe because Victor was borne by several early saints and popes. In English-speaking countries it is usually found as a surname derived from the given name, though in some cases it may reflect French or other continental family lines. The form is straightforward and comparatively uncommon as a surname.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The same Latin root also gives us words like “victory” and “victorious.”
From the historical record
“VICKRIDGE, V. Vicl<erage. VICTOR (A.-Lat.) Conqueror [Lat. victor] VIDDLER 1 voiced or West-Country forms of VIDLER JFidler. VI EL I (A.-Fr.-Lat.) i Old [A.-Fr. viel(e, etc., VIELE J O.Fr. vieil(s, etc. (FT.vieil,vieux}, old ; Lat. vetul-us, oldish] 2 for Vial, q.v.”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)