Surname Kürkcü - Meaning and Origin
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Kürkcü: What does the surname Kürkcü mean?
The last name Kürkcü is an occupational Turkish surname originating from the Ottoman Empire. The term Kürkcü is derived from the Turkish word of Kurk, which means "hide" or "skin". Historically, the name Kürkcü referred to a person whose primary occupation was the trading of furs and other animal skins. The Kürkcü were an important part of the nomadic communities of the Ottoman Empire, responsible for the trading of furs and skins which were used to make in various consumer items that were the backbone of the Ottoman economy.
The term Kürkcü can be found in a number of documents from the Ottoman period, and the term appears in documents as early as 1535. As the Ottoman Empire expanded, so too did the presence of the Kürkcü. Records show that many members of the Ottoman troops were Kürkcü, and it has even been suggested that some of the most successful members of the troops were also Kürkcü. The Kürkcü were highly skilled in their trades, and their talents were highly valued by the Ottoman Empire.
Kürkcü today is still a very popular and well-respected surname in Turkey, and many people can trace their lineage back to the original Kürkcü. It is estimated that at least a million people in Turkey are descended from these original Kürkcü. Many of them continue the tradition of trading fur and skins, but many have also branched out into other trades. The Kürkcü and other related occupational surnames are a reminder of the vibrant diversity and richness of Ottoman history.
Order DNA origin analysisKürkcü: Where does the name Kürkcü come from?
The last name Kürkcü is a Turkish name that originated in the country's southeastern region. Today, it is one of the most common surnames in the Middle East and Central Asia. It is believed to have first been used by the Turkmens and other Turkic peoples in the 9th century.
Kürkcü is most commonly found in Turkey today – particularly in its southeastern and eastern provinces. It is also found in the neighbouring countries of Iraq, Syria, and Iran. Today, it is also found in other parts of the world, such as the United States, Canada, Germany, and France.
The meaning of the surname is derived from the word kürk, which means fur. It is thought to have evolved from the custom of the Turkmens and other Turkic peoples, who often wore animal furs to protect themselves from the cold. The 'cü' in the surname simply means 'person', so the literal meaning of 'Kürkcü' is 'person of fur'.
The name Kürkcü is thought to have been selected as a way to reflect a person's occupational or social status. In Turkish history, wearing animal fur was often associated with being wealthy or well-off, and owning a fur business was considered an honorable profession. As such, those bearing the surname Kürkcü were seen as being affluent and respected.
Today, the surname Kürkcü is still held in high regard and is found in many, many households throughout the Middle East and Central Asia.
Variations of the surname Kürkcü
The surname Kürkcü has a variety of variants, spellings and surnames derived from the same origin. The most common derivations of the surname Kürkcü are Kürck/Kürks/Kürkdü, Kürken and Kürkenci, often with a Turkish or Azerbaijani spelling of the prefix letter ‘K’. All of these surname variations are derived from the Turkish root word ‘Kürk’ (meaning fur or leather) and refer to a person of leather and fur trade or working in the same related industry.
The surname Kürkcü may also appear as Kürkeş, Kürkeşli, Kürkeşoğlu, Kürkeşcan, Kürkeşyan, Kürkeşoğlu, Kürkeşsiz, and Kürkeştürk. These variations are found mainly in Turkey or the countries of the former Ottoman Empire, including in Bulgaria, former Yugoslavia, Greece, and Cyprus.
In some parts of Middle East and Central Asia, the surname Kürkcü is also often transliterated into the Persian spelling “Korkeş” from the Persian root word ‘Kurk’ meaning ‘leather’. This variation of the surname Kürkcü is found in some parts of Iran, Azerbaijan, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan, as well as in the nations of the former Soviet Union, including Ukraine and Kazakhstan.
The surname Kürkcü may also occasionally appear as “Kurkish” or “Kurkısh” in some parts of the world. These are derivatives of the Turkish Kürkçü, and though less common than the original spelling, they are still derived from the same origin.
In some parts of Armenian diaspora, such as the USA, a version of the surname Kürkcü may appear as ‘Garagoush’, derived from the Turkish word ‘Kürkçüoğlu’ meaning ‘son of the leather worker’. This surname is mostly used by Armenian-Speakers who migrated to the USA in the 19th-20th century.
Famous people with the name Kürkcü
- Ahmet Kürkcü: a renowned Turkish actor, producer, and director
- Burhan Kürkcü: an Istanbul-born singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist
- Emre Kürkcü: a Turkish footballer currently playing for Sivasspor in the Süper Lig
- Süleyman Kürkcü: a Nobel Prize-nominated Turkish novelist and short story writer
- Ceren Kürkcü: a Turkish pop singer-songwriter
- M. Emin Kürkcü: an American academic and professor of neuroscience
- Ümit Kürkçü: a Turkish politician and human rights activist
- Sencer Kürkcü: a Turkish photojournalist and documentary filmmaker
- Refik Kürkcü: a member of the Turkish Parliament representing Ankara
- Hakan S. Kürkcü: a leading Turkish computer scientist and professor