Pachis

Pachis (Greek: Παχής) is a Greek surname derived from the Greek word παχύς (pachys), meaning "fat, thick." It belongs to a category of Greek surnames that originated as descriptive nicknames based on physical characteristics. Surnames with such meanings are common across many cultures, reflecting how personal attributes often gave rise to hereditary family names.

Notable Bearers

One notable bearer of the surname is Charalambos Pachis (1844–1891), a Greek painter from Corfu. He was a prominent member of the Heptanese School, which flourished in the Ionian Islands during the 19th century. Pachis specialized in landscapes and historical scenes. His artistic journey began when he worked as a servant for a wealthy Englishman, who recognized his talent and sponsored his art education in Rome and Naples. Pachis studied at the Accademia di San Luca in Rome and later at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Napoli, where he was influenced by the work of Dionysios Tsokos and other philhellene artists of the period. After traveling across Europe, he returned to Corfu in 1870, where he taught briefly at the Kapodistrias School and later founded his own private art school. Among his most famous students were Periklis Tsirigotis, Angelos Giallinas, and Georgios Samartzis. His works form part of Corfu's rich artistic heritage.

Related Names

The feminine form of the surname is Pachi (Greek: Παχή), which follows a common pattern in Greek surname formation where the feminine variant ends in -i rather than -is.

• Meaning: "Thick, fat"
• Origin: Greek descriptive nickname
• Type: Surname
• Usage: Primarily Greek (especially Corfu)