Surname Cyriac - Meaning and Origin
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Cyriac: What does the surname Cyriac mean?
The last name Cyriac has its roots in the Latin name Cyriacus, which has its origins in the Greek name Kyras, meaning 'Lord'. Cyriac is generally thought to mean 'God is my Master' or 'Lord of the Master', although some sources suggest an alternative derivation of the word that mean 'like a river'. The name is mostly found among Christians in Southern India and is derived from an ancient Christian martyr who was venerated in late antiquity and according to some legends is said to be related to the disciple of St. Paul, Barnabas of Cyprus.
Cyriac is most common among Christians from South India and is commonly found in the Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The name was brought to India by merchants and traders during the ancient days of Indian Ocean trade. It is believed that Cyriac was used by the early Syro-Malabar Christians who settled along the Malabar Coast of Kerala as early as the 4th century and only later began to migrate inland as far as Tamil Nadu.
Today, the surname Cyriac is used across the world by families of varying ethnicity and religious backgrounds. The name has retained its popularity among families of the Indian diaspora, especially in North America and Australia. Regardless of what the name itself may mean, it is a charming reminder of the links between ancient and modern India.
Order DNA origin analysisCyriac: Where does the name Cyriac come from?
The last name Cyriac is primarily found in India, where it is derived from the originally Syriac or Phoenician form Cyriacus. Cyriac was a popular name among Christians in India prior to colonization in the late 17th century. The prevalence of this name has declined over the years but is still comparatively more common in India than in other parts of the world.
The name is derived from the Greek Cyriakos, which means "of the Lord" and is a variant form of the more common name Kyrillos, or Cyril. It is typically found in its contemporary form as Cyriac in India and is often used in India as a middle name. In India, the surname is most often found among the Syrian Christians of Kerala, where it was and remains common. The Syrian Christians are believed to be descendants of Jewish traders who were welcomed to the Malabar Coast in the 8th century CE.
Outside of India, the name Cyriac is also present in the Middle East, particularly in countries like Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon. It is still used in some of these countries, especially among Christian immigrants from India, as well as by Christians of Lebanese, Syrian, or Assyrian descent. Cyriac is also found in other countries around the world, primarily among Christians of Indian, Middle Eastern, or East African descent, but is still relatively uncommon in comparison with its prevalence in India.
Variations of the surname Cyriac
The Cyriac surname can be found in various parts of the world, often with different spellings and variants. It is likely derived from the Greek name Kyriakos, which means ‘the lord’ or ‘the strong one’.
The most common variants of the name are Cyrac, Cyriack, Cyriacks, Cyriax, Cyriacks, Cyriaxs, Cyriacke, Cyriackes, Cyriacx, Cyriacksx, Cyriaxx, Kyrac, Kyrack, Kyracks, Kyracke, Kyrackes, Kyrackx, Kyracksx, Kyrax, Kyracks, Kyraxs, Kyrioac, Kyrioak, Kyracox, Kyracoke, Cyrack, Cyracks, Cyracke, Cyrackes, Cyrackx, Cyracksx, Cyracx, Cyracksx, Cyrasx, Cyrasxs, Cyracxs.
Two surnames that are related to Cyriac are the Italian surname Ciarrico and the French surname Cyr. These surnames are created by changing the spelling of the same Greek root Kyriakos. They are both variations of the more common Cyriac.
The Polish surname Krzyzak and the Belarusan surname Kryzak are also variants of the ancient Greek name Kyriakos, and therefore related to the surname Cyriac. The Ukrainian surname Kyryliak is also derived from the same Greek root and in this case, it is almost an exact phonetic variant of Cyriac.
Finally, in India and Pakistan, the surname Kiriakos is also used as a variation of Cyriac due to the Indian Christian community’s influence. In this case, the surname has been slightly adapted for more accurate pronunciation in the Indian subcontinent.
Famous people with the name Cyriac
- Joseph Cyriac: Indian Politician
- K.C. Cyriac: Indian Entrepreneur
- Binesh Cyriac: Indian actor
- Geevarghese Cyriac: Indian Entrepreneur
- Anju Cyriac: Indian actress
- Chacko Cyriac: Former Member of Parliament in India
- Mathew Cyriac: Indian footballer
- Tinto Antony Cyriac: Indian Radio Host
- Prasannan Cyriac: Indian Actor
- Alexander Cyriac: Indian Businessman