Surname Eyüp - Meaning and Origin

Eyüp: What does the surname Eyüp mean?

The last name Eyüp (sometimes spelled Ayup or Ayp) is of Turkish origin and is found primarily among the Turkish people. It is derived from the name of a city near Istanbul, Turkey, known as Eyüp Sultan, which was a religious and political center of the Ottoman Empire.

The meaning of Eyüp is unclear, though some believe the name may be derived from an Arabic masculine name and the Turkish word for lion, yüp. Eyüp is also associated with the Islamic warrior-saint, Eyüp Sultan, a figure in Islamic history who fought in the battles against the crusades and died at the Siege of Constantinople in 1453.

The surname Eyüp has been borne by generations of Turks and people of Turkish descent, and many families have preserved the name as a link to their Turkish ancestry. It may be used either as a given name or as a surname, signifying a connection to the Eyüp Sultan locality in Turkey.

While the name Eyüp and its meaning may remain a mystery, it represents a proud and ancient connection to the history of the Ottoman Empire and serves as a reminder of the Turkish people's rich heritage and identity.

Eyüp: Where does the name Eyüp come from?

The last name Eyüp is most common in Turkey. It is a place name, derived from a historical location in modern-day Istanbul. Eyüp is an ancient city located on the European side of the Bosphorus and is a center for pilgrimage and tourism today. It is an area named after the companion of the Prophet Mohammed, Eyyüb Ensari who is said to have been buried there.

The Eyüp surname expanded beyond Istanbul in the early 16th century with the Ottoman Empire’s growth. Today, the name can be found in almost all of Turkey with the highest concentrations in Istanbul and the Black Sea region.

Beyond Turkey, the surname Eyüp is also very common in countries that were formerly part of the Ottoman Empire such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, and even Bulgaria. It is noted among Albanian populations as well and lesser known populations like the Bosniaks and even Crimean Tatars.

Outside of these countries, the name is still in use in the US, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and other countries with immigrant populations from the Turkish and former-Ottoman regions. With the spread of Turkish people around the world, the surname Eyüp is not limited to Turkey alone.

Variations of the surname Eyüp

The surname Eyüp has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common spellings are Eyüp, Ayyup, Ayoub, Ayub, Ayp, Aypa, Ayubu, Iyoup, and Yüp. All of these spellings stem from the same Arabic root meaning “The Chosen One”, but are adapted differently in cultures and languages around the world.

In Turkish and other Turkic languages, the name Eyup is the most common. This spelling is also used by Bosniaks and in Middle Eastern cultures due to the Turkish influence in the region. In Arabic tradition, the name is usually transliterated into Ayoub, or Ayyub in its older form. This spelling is prevalent in countries such as Egypt, Algeria, Lebanon and other Arab countries. It is often transliterated differently into other languages of these regions, such as Iyoup in Maltese or Ayubi in Somali.

In the West, the name is often transliterated into Ayp, Iyp, or Aypa. This spelling is derived from a softened pronunciation of the Arabic name Ayyub and is common among Turkish immigrants to the United States and Europe, such as among the Romani and Tatar communities. It is also used in Armenian, Persian, and Kazakh cultures.

Overall, Eyüp is a surname of great national and cultural significance, known and used by a variety of peoples around the world in all its various forms and spellings.

Famous people with the name Eyüp

• Ali Eyüp: Saint and benefactor of Istanbul, who had the title of Eyüp Sultan and was the namesake of the district, Eyüp in Istanbul.
• Zeynep Eyüp: Turkish singer, songwriter and actress.
• Petty Eyüp: Turkish actress, author and TV presenter.
• Orhan Eyüp: the former President of Galatasaray Sports Club.
• Önder Eyüp: Turkish footballer who plays for Elazığspor.
• Hüseyin Eyüp: Turkish academics, writer, researcher and TV presenter.
• Mert Eyüp: Turkish actor and film producer.
• Asım Eyüp: Turkish footballer who currently plays for Göztepe S.K.
• Furkan Eyüp: Turkish tennis player.
• Süleyman Eyüp: Turkish footballer who currently plays for Minyor Pernik.

Other surnames

Eyüpoglu