Surname Erkaya - Meaning and Origin
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Erkaya: What does the surname Erkaya mean?
The last name Erkaya is of Turkish origin and is derived from a Turkish word meaning “mountain” or “rocky mountain.” As such, it is likely that the original bearer of the Erkaya surname likely lived in or near a mountainous area for generations.
The word “Erkaya” can also be interpreted more broadly as “elevated” or “exalted,” which could imply that the family was associated with a prominent lineage or particular aristocracy. It is also possible that the name was given to people who were able to survive or thrive in harsh mountain environments.
Erkaya is currently a common surname in Turkey but is not typically used anywhere else in the world. However, it is estimated that around 800 people living outside of Turkey have adopted the surname as part of their identity. It is possible that these individuals have familial ties to Turkey or simply found the name’s meaning to resonate with them personally.
Overall, the name Erkaya carries with it an interesting history and a variety of potential interpretations. Its unique origins make it a surname that is both rare and meaningful and are sure to be held in high esteem by its many bearers.
Order DNA origin analysisErkaya: Where does the name Erkaya come from?
The Erkaya surname is a Turkish surname and is commonly found throughout Turkey and Turkish diaspora communities in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The name is believed to have originated from the Turkish word erh which means man, demonstrating strength and protection.
The Erkaya surname was most likely used by nomadic Turkish tribes who lived for generations in Turkey and the surrounding areas. This is supported by the fact that the name is also found in regions such as Azerbaijan and Crimea, both of which have a predominantly Turkic speaking population. Historically, the name has also been associated with the Epira area in Anatolia, with its use being recorded as far back as the 15th century.
In recent years, the Erkaya surname has spread with large waves of migration into western Europe and the United States. Consequently, the Erkaya surname is seen increasingly in countries such as Germany, France, the Netherlands, and the United States. On a global level, millions of people now carry the Erkaya surname.
In conclusion, the Erkaya surname is a common one today in Turkey, the Turkish diaspora and wider areas of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Its history and distribution show the reach of the Turkish people and their linguistic and cultural influence in the region.
Variations of the surname Erkaya
Erkaya is a popular Turkish surname of Kurdish origin. It is also referred to as Erkays or Arkays in some regions. The related variants and spellings consist of Erkek, Erko, Erren, Erkin, Erkuy, Erkooy and Ekoyra.
The surname, in its various forms, is found in many countries including Turkey, Iraq, North Cyprus, Iran, Azerbaijan, and Syria. In Turkey, it is most often encountered in the provinces of Diyarbakir, Kırıkkale, Malatya, and Tunceli. In Iraq, it is common in Erbil, Duhok, and Sulaymaniyah.
The surname is derived from a combination of two kurdish words, "er" meaning person and "kaya” meaning rock. This refers to an ancestor of the family who was either strong like a rock or was born in a rocky area.
Throughout history, the surname has cycled and evolved depending on the location and culture. For example, the Arabic spelling of Erkaya is the more common Erkei. In addition, the interior regions of Turkey where the Kurdish name developed do not necessarily use the Latin alphabet, causing further variants such as Erqay in Armenian and Erka in Cyrillic.
The Turkish military also provided another source of popularity and variation of the surname. During the Ottoman period, the main Turkish military class was known as the Devshirme, who were mostly Christian youths taken from within the Empire’s borders, converted to Islam, and trained as members of the Ottoman Janissary corps. Those members with the surname Erkaya were recorded with variants such as Arkas and Arkaş. Similarly, the Kurdish population in Ottoman Iraq was recorded as Arka and skas and Charkas variants.
Given that the various spellings and unveiling origins of the surname, it is important to always record as much detail as possible when researching an individual’s family history to ascertain an ancestral connection.
Famous people with the name Erkaya
- Yusuf Erkaya: He is a Turkish-born businessman who is well known for being the president of the TUYOSB-Aksigorta Tutug Yonetim ve Ogrenci Sigortacilar Birligi.
- Orhan Erkaya: He is a Turkish football manager who is most famous for managing the Turkish Super League club Kasimpasa in 2019.
- Ahmet Erkaya: He is a Turkish actor who is best known for roles in the movies "The Good Thief", "The Revenant" and "Eclipse".
- Korhan Erkaya: He is a professional basketball player from Turkey, who plays for TED Ankara Kolejliler in the Turkiye Basketbol Ligi.
- Zeynep Erkaya: She is a professional mountaineer from Turkey who has climbed the highest peak on each continent as well as being the first Turkish women to climb Mount Everest.
- Elif Erkaya: She is a Turkish-American photographer who has worked for numerous publications including National Geographic, Time Magazine, and The New York Times.
- Serkan Erkaya: He is a Turkish film director who is best known for directing the movies "Bad Blood" and "A Walk in the Dark".
- Ruhsar Erkaya: She is a Turkish-American artist and designer, and she is widely known for her work in fashion design, set design and painting.
- Atilla Erkaya: He is a Turkish football player who played as a forward for Karagumruk, Istanbul Basaksehir and Ankaragucu.
- Yeliz Erkaya Tokac: She is a Turkish model, actress, and TV presenter who is best known for her role in the Turkish TV series "Secrets of a Young Bride".