Surname Efendi - Meaning and Origin
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Efendi: What does the surname Efendi mean?
The last name Efendi is derived from the Turkish word "efendi" which means "lord, master, or gentleman". Historically, this was the title given to Turkish nobles or those in positions of authority, such as judges or mayors. It is thought to have originated from the Arabic term "amir", which also translates to "lord" or "commander".
Today, Efendi (or "Effendi") is a popular last name in Turkey and in the surrounding countries of the Balkans and the Middle East. Depending on the region, it has various spellings such as Affendi, Effendi, Efendy, Avedi, and Avendi.
Most individuals with the last name Efendi have Turkish ancestry. For centuries, the Ottoman Empire controlled large portions of this area, and the influence of the Turkish language is still evident today. It is believed that the Efendi name is an outcome of the eccentric naming traditions from these times.
In some cases, individuals may have taken the surname Efendi to indicate their connection to a certain profession or as a sign of respect or admiration for an admirable individual. This tradition, although less common, is still alive.
The meaning of the last name Efendi, however, is widely agreed upon - it stands for nobility, greatness, and respect. Thanks to the influence of the Ottoman Empire over hundreds of years ago, anyone with the surname Efendi can proudly say they bear the name of ‘lord’ or ‘master’.
Order DNA origin analysisEfendi: Where does the name Efendi come from?
The last name Efendi is most commonly seen in Turkey and Turkish diasporic communities located in North American and Europe.
Efendi is a Turkish honorific title, which historically belonged to a person with aristocratic heritage. Although the title is no longer bestowed upon persons, it is still seen in Turkish surnames.
In Turkey, the name Efendi is encountered in all regions, although its prevalence increases in the western regions of the country. The name is especially common in Istanbul, where it is the surname of over 126,000 people. It is also common in the cities of Aydin, Denizli and Izmir, where it has been adopted as the name of various restaurants or businesses.
When members of the Turkish diaspora emigrated to Europe and North America in the 80s to 90s, they brought with them the last name. There is a sizable population of Efendis in Germany, France, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, in addition to smaller populations in Canada and the US.
In Europe, the name has been adopted as the surname of people of other nationalities, often wearing it as a badge of honour. Similarly, the name has been adopted by others in North America, where it has retained its Turkish meaning as a sign of respect, often unofficially when denoting a person with success and noble values.
Variations of the surname Efendi
The surname Efendi has many variants and other spellings, which all originate from the Turkish word for “lord”. It is a title traditionally given to people in positions of power and authority, and it is also a common surname in many countries.
The most commonly seen variant of the surname Efendi is Effendi, which is the same but spelled with two “f”s. Additionally, the surname can be spelled with other accents and vowels, such as Effendy, Effendie, ifandey, efandey, and effendiye. All of these variants are pronounced in the same way.
The surname can also take on another spelling in certain countries when anglicized, such as Effing, Effinger, Effindy, Effindee, Efnady, Avefendi, Evfendi, and Avafendi.
In addition to these various spellings, there are a number of surnames that originate from the same root as Efendi, but with a different meaning. These include Effendieva (resembling lordly), Effendizade (descendant of the lord), and Efendizadeh (of lordly descent).
Finally, there are a few alternate spellings that have developed in other languages, such as Effendas (in Portuguese), Effendys and Efendis (in Bulgarian), and Effendakis (in Greek). Each of these variations has its own unique pronunciation and history, but they all trace their origins back to the same Turkish word.
Famous people with the name Efendi
- Bülent Efendi: Born in 1552 in Istanbul, Bülent Efendi was a renowned Ottoman musician and composer. He is credited with the development of many performance techniques, such as vocal improvisation, and is credited with the composition of some 54 works.
- Necmettin Efendi: Known as the “father of Turkish literature”, Necmettin Efendi was a renowned Turkish poet and playwright who played a crucial role in the development of the Ottoman Empire during the 19th century.
- Bakela Efendi: Born in 1588, Bakela Efendi was an Ottoman mystic, religious scholar, and writer. He was a follower of the Sufi Mevlevi Order and is best remembered for his work in translating and interpreting the Quran.
- Hayrettin Efendi: A Turkish theologian, Hayrettin Efendi played a vital role in the development of religious education in the Ottoman Empire during the 19th century. He is also credited with writing over fifty books on religious topics and for his efforts at reforming Islamic society.
- Ahmet Ferit Efendi: Ahmet Ferit Efendi was an influential Turkish jurist and Ottoman statesman who served in senior positions throughout his career. He is particularly remembered for his successful and peaceful arbitration of a territorial dispute between the influential Ottoman provincial beylerbeys.