LUKAS.  A variant spelling of Latin Lucas (q.v.), meaning "of Lucania."  Lukas or Lucas was born at Antioch in Syria (Euseb. Hist. Eccl., III. 4).  He was undoubtedly of Gentile origin, as Saint Paul (Col. iv. 14) carefully distinguished him from others who were circumcised. (Practical Handbook for the Study of the Bible &c., Seisenberger, 1911).  Usage:  America, England, Germany.

Cognomina in anus, contracted into the Greek ας, were frequently bestowed on slaves or freed-men, especially of Greek extraction.  These were often highly educated, and were the librarians, secretaries, artists, and physicians of their masters, persons of Jewish birth being especially employed in the last-mentioned capacity.  Thus does the third Evangelist, the beloved physician and reputed painter, bear in his name evidence of being a Greek-speaking protégé of a Roman house, Λουκας (Lukas) being the Greek contraction of Lucanus or Lucianus. (History of Christian Names, Yonge, 1884)