Surname Kurtulan - Meaning and Origin

Kurtulan: What does the surname Kurtulan mean?

The surname Kurtulan is of Turkish origin. It is derived from the Turkish word "Kurtulmak", which means "to free oneself". This suggests that this family name originated from an ancestor that freed themselves from slavery or another difficult situation.

The origin of the surname Kurtulan is believed to be in the Central Anatolia region, located in the middle of modern-day Turkey. The family could have originally been descendants of an Ottoman or Seljuk tribe, although records on the origins of this surname are limited and the actual origins remain a mystery.

The name is most commonly attributed to hint at freedom from a difficult time, and it is believed that the surname was adopted during times of political or social upheaval, such as many of the Ottoman invasions of the Balkans. This implies that the family name was taken on by those that were able to successfully transition to a new social order.

Today, the surname Kurtulan is still widely used in Central Anatolia, although it is relatively rare in other regions of Turkey and abroad. Those who bear the surname are proud of the independence and strength of their ancestors, and it is seen as a badge of honor.

Kurtulan: Where does the name Kurtulan come from?

Kurtulan is a Turkish surname and is most commonly found in Turkey and certain countries with historic ties to Turkey. For the Turkish diaspora, it is also common in countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, France, Australia, and the United States.

The surname Kurtulan is particularly associated with Anatolian tribes like the Oghuz, the Akkoyunlu, and the Beylik of Karaman. These ancient tribes formed the core of the Ottoman Empire and were a major contributor to the formation of modern-day Turkey. Traditional Turkish naming conventions have resulted in Kurtulan being a common surname in the Republic of Turkey today with approximately over 1.5 million individuals with the surname.

With respect to other countries, the largest population of Kurtulans is estimated to be in Germany with over 30,000 individuals, followed by the Netherlands at 7,500. The United States has a much smaller population with over 1,800 individuals. Other countries with significant populations of Kurtulan's include Belgium, Austria, France, Switzerland, and Australia.

Although the prevalence of Kurtulan is particularly high in Turkey and countries which had a historic ties to Turkey, the surname is now spreading to other countries such as the United Kingdom, Spain, and Canada. This has primarily been due to globalization, immigration, and the increasing number of international marriages.

Variations of the surname Kurtulan

Kurtulan is a Turkish surname derived from the Turkish terms "kurt" and "ulan" which means "wolf". This surname is also used in other Turkic-speaking countries such as Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Variants of Kurtulan include Kortulan, Kertulan, Kirtulan, Kurtulain, Kortulain, Kertulain, Kirtulain, and Kidulan. In some parts of Turkey, the surname is also pronounced as name Gurtulan, Gurkulan, Gurtulain, Gurkulain, Girtulan, Girtulain, Gerdulan, and Gerdulain.

Surnames of a similar origin include Curtulan, Kortopian, Kurtolen, Kuhtur, and Kurdulan. Spelling variations include Kartulan, Kertalan, Kurtualan, Kirtulun, Kirtualan, Kartalen, Kertalan, Kurtulan, Kartalan, Kirtulen, Kirtuen, Kirtualen, and Korrdulan.

The combination of the two terms from which the surname is derived are also used to form other surnames such as Kortun, Kurtulmus, Kortuner, Kurtulma, Kortunlu, Kurtular, Kortunay, and Ulaner.

Zaza speakers in Eastern Turkey have also adopted this surname into some of their surnames such as Gurturan, Gurtulen, and Gurulen.

Famous people with the name Kurtulan

• Kadir Kurtulan: Kadir Kurtulan is the Mayor of Istanbul and has played a prominent role in the Turkish government for many years. As the Mayor of Istanbul, he is responsible for maintaining a sense of order and development in the nation's largest city.
• Turgut Kurtulan: Turgut is a professional basketball player who currently plays for Fenerbahçe Istanbul S.K. in the Turkish Basketball League. He previously played in the EuroLeague for Alba Berlin and has represented Turkey in international competitions.
• Hidayet Kurtulan: Hidayet is a Turkish-American entrepreneur and pioneer in the field of technology. He is the founder and former CEO of Sentient Technologies, a leading software development company.
• Muharrem Kurtulan: Muharrem is the founder and current owner of Yapi Kredi Bank, one of the largest banks in Turkey. He is known for his philanthropic work and contribution to the economic and political stability of the country.
• Ezgi Kurtulan: Ezgi is a Turkish actress and model who is best known for her lead role in the television series, “Aşkım Prenses”. She has also appeared in numerous films and ads.
• Deniz Kurtulan: Deniz is a Turkish football player who currently plays for Giresunspor, a professional Turkish football team. He has previously played for the Turkish Under-21 national team.
• Cem Kurtulan: Cem is a Turkish politician and leader of the People's Republican Party. He served as Minister of National Defense for several years before resigning in 2008.
• Ferah Kurtulan: Ferah is a Turkish businesswoman and the current CEO of Denizbank, one of the largest banks in Turkey. She has been recognized for her contribution to the Turkish economy.

Other surnames

KurtulKurtulmusKurtulus