The concept of vampires as undead creatures originated primarily in Eastern Europe, specifically in the Balkan region including Bulgaria and Transylvania, about a thousand years ago. Early Slavic vampire legends described vampires as ghost-like beings spreading disease rather than the blood-drinking creatures of modern lore

. The modern vampire myth, especially the image popularized by Bram Stoker's Dracula , is rooted in 18th-century Central European folklore, particularly from Transylvania (now part of Romania). These vampires were believed to be revenants-evil spirits or the restless dead-that could drink blood and create new vampires by biting victims

. The historical figure Vlad the Impaler, a 15th-century ruler in Wallachia (near Transylvania), inspired much of the Dracula legend due to his brutal reputation, though he was not a vampire himself

. Vampire-like creatures also appear in various cultures worldwide, including ancient Mesopotamian, Hebrew, Greek, and Roman tales of blood-drinking spirits, as well as in Indian and Spanish folklore, but the vampire as popularly known today mainly comes from Eastern European traditions

. In summary, vampires as we understand them today are most closely linked to Eastern European folklore, especially from the Balkans and Transylvania, with roots extending into broader ancient myths across many cultures