Surname Kralj - Meaning and Origin
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Kralj: What does the surname Kralj mean?
Kralj is a surname of Slavic origin that translates to mean "king" or "ruler" in English. The title of Kralj was historically used in certain Slavic countries to refer to someone of the highest rank, specifically a monarch or emperor. The exact meaning of Kralj in any given context is hard to pin down beyond its literal translation. It could be used either as an honorific or literally to refer to someone who is a monarch, an authority, or otherwise a leader or ruler in some capacity.
Today, the surname Kralj or its alternative spellings Kral, Kraly, Kralie or Kralik are found in countries including Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Poland. The surname is often seen in families of Slovak, Croatian and Slovenian descent who may trace their roots back to the former Austrian empire or elsewhere in Central or Eastern Europe.
Within certain communities, the surname is seen as a symbol of authority, respect, and nobility. Its legacy of a royal title is no doubt a part of this. Yet, the bearer of the surname may not necessarily be affiliated with any ruling royal family or council, or have any relation with a figure of political influence. No matter the context, the surname Kralj, and its many variations, is a respected one within the Slavic culture for its meaning of ruler.
Order DNA origin analysisKralj: Where does the name Kralj come from?
The last name Kralj is most common today in Central Europe, especially in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is also found in Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Kosovo, as well as in other Slavic countries such as Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.
The surname Kralj is derived from the Slavic word for "king," and Slovenian genealogist Andrej Štebih has suggested that the Kralj surname may have its origins in a Slavic tribal name. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the surname is most common in the area around the town of Bihać.
In Croatia, the surname is most common in the regions of Split-Dalmatia County and Zadar County, although it is present throughout the entire country. In Serbia, Kralj can be found in the regions of Belgrade and Vojvodina, while in Montenegro and Kosovo it is most common in the capital city of Podgorica.
The Kralj surname is one of the oldest surnames in continental Europe, and it was present in records from the 11th century. Today, the Kralj surname is popular in Central Europe thanks to its Slavic roots, and it is still found in many parts of Croatia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina, as well as in other Slavic countries.
Variations of the surname Kralj
Kralj (also spelled Kraly) is a surname derived from the Slovene and Croatian word 'kralj', which means 'king' in English. This surname was most likely adopted by a family of noble lineage, as it indicates a connection to royalty. Variants of this name can include Kraj, Krajl, Kralovic, Kralovec, Kraus, Kraul, Kraŭl, Krawel, and Kralla.
Surnames from other languages that have similar origins to Kralj include Le Roi in French, Rei in Spanish, Rea in Welsh, Rege in Romanian, Reis in German, Kynge in Old English, and Kral in Czech.
Kraljic is the feminine form of the surname, and it is usually the variation adopted by members of a family in which the female line has aristocratic roots. Other female versions of this name include Kralovicova, Kralovicova, Krausova, Kraulova and Kraŭlova.
The Croatian form of the name is Kraljić, and the Serbian form is Kralević. Both variations make reference to the 'son of the king' meaning of the name. Other Serbian versions of the name include Kraljević, Kraljevic, Kralevic, Kralevič and Kralevici.
Finally, some other surnames can be derived from the word 'kralj': Kralik, Kralovec, Kralovsky, Kralka, Kraljik, Kralčevic, Kraličic and Kramar.
Overall, Kralj is a surname with a long and noble history, with numerous variations and derivatives stemming from many different languages around the world.
Famous people with the name Kralj
- Aleksandar Kralj: Serbian producer, composer, and songwriter.
- Andrija Kralj: Croatian actor, best known for his appearances in short films and television series.
- Boris Kralj: Yugoslavian football player
- Dejan Kralj: Slovakian professional volleyball player
- Dragana Kralj: Serbian singer
- Filip Kralj: Croatian cellist, composer, and conductor.
- Jake Kralj: American tennis player
- Marijan Kralj: Croatian volleyball player
- Petar Kralj: Croatian sculptor
- Petar Kraljevic: Bosnian-Herzegovinian footballer
- Sinisa Kralj: Serbian football coach
- Vedran Kralj: Croatian handball player