Surname Kantarci - Meaning and Origin
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Kantarci: What does the surname Kantarci mean?
The last name Kantarci (or Cantarci) is of Turkish origin and has been used since at least the 16th century. The name is derived from the Turkish words "kantar" which means "balance," and "ci" which means "son of." Together it translates to "son of balance," or "son of the balance bearer," suggesting that the original bearer of the name was an individual who balanced goods in the marketplace.
Historically, the Kantarci name is associated with Turkey's trading guilds, which were powerful in the Anatolia region from the 15th-18th centuries. Those with the Kantarci name were known to be merchants, carders, measurers, traders, and financiers. Often the more successful members of the guilds rose to become wealthy merchants, bankers, and traders.
The Kantarci name is still in use today in various forms, such as Cantarci, Kuntarci, or Kantarlar, and is popular in both Turkey and the Balkan nations. In modern times, the name has become synonymous with financial stability and trustworthiness. Those bearing the Kantarci name are associated with a keen business acumen and sense of responsibility, as the legacy of their forebears continues to inspire modern Kantarci families to pursue success and fiscal stability.
Order DNA origin analysisKantarci: Where does the name Kantarci come from?
Kantarci is a common Turkish surname and is still used mainly in Turkey and parts of the Middle East, especially in countries where Turkish-speaking people make up a large portion of the population. It is also found in some areas of Europe and North Africa with significant Turkish diasporas.
The Kantarci name originates as an occupational surname, as it derives from the word “kantarcı” which means “butcher” in Turkish. The surname was given to families originating from butchers or who were otherwise associated with the trade. It is a fairly popular surname in Turkey, and is most frequent in cities like Istanbul and Ankara.
Outside of the Middle East, Kantarci is also found in parts of Europe and North America. In Europe, it is found in countries such as France, Germany, and the United Kingdom as members of the Turkish diaspora have scattered across the continent. In North America the name is found mainly in Canada and the USA, where people of Turkish heritage have settled.
Therefore, it is clear that the Kantarci surname is still a fairly common one today, found mainly in parts of the Middle East and areas with large Turkish populations such as Europe and North America.
Variations of the surname Kantarci
Kantarci is a surname of East European origin, originating from the Greek-Illyrian word Kunderci, meaning ‘the people’ or ‘the people of a region’. The name has gone through variations and spellings over the centuries, eventually finding its way to its current form. Common variants of the surname Kantarci include: Kontarci, Kondarci, Kontarcy, Kondarcy and Kunderci.
Closely related surnames, which have likely evolved from the same root, include Kontacs, Konteco, Kontakos, Kontakis, Kontics and Kontes. Many of these can also be seen with the same spelling variants as Kantarci.
The Kantarci surname is also used in several different countries throughout Europe, with variations also appearing in each nation. In Croatia the surname is often seen as Kuntarci, Kuntarcic or Kuntarce, while in Bosnia and Herzegovina it can also be seen with the four variants Kantarci, Kantarcic, Kantarce and Kantarčić.
In Hungary, the surnames Kantarcsi or Kantárcsi can also be seen, while in Romania, the variants Kantarcu, Kantarcea or Kantarche can be found. In Bulgaria, the variants of Kantarski, Kantaroff or Kantarow are common.
The surname has also spread to some parts of the United States and in some cases, the spelling has changed slightly due to regional dialects. For example, in America, variations such as Contarcio or Kontarcio have sometimes been recorded.
Overall, there are numerous spellings, variants and surnames of the same origin for the surname Kantarci. However, despite the many different spelling variations, they all likely derive from the same Greek-Illyrian root – Kunderci – and the surname has an ancient lineage.
Famous people with the name Kantarci
- Emre Kantarcı: Turkish innovator, entrepreneur, executive and chair of the British Turkish Association
- Ahmet Abidin Kantarcı: Turkish historian, author, archeologist and professor
- İdris Kantarcı: Turkish football manager
- Tuba Kantarcı: Turkish violinist, accompanist and instructor
- Cihan Kantarcı: Turkish television presenter, costume designer and singer
- Altan Kantarcı: Turkish journalist, columnist and editor of Taraf Gazete
- Özkan Kantarcı: Turkish medalist in taekwondo
- Süleyman Kantarcı: Turkish medalist in shooting
- Ayşe Kantarcı: Turkish psychologist, professor and dean of the Psychology Department at Anadolu University
- Salih Kantarcı: Turkish movie producer and director