Surname Kurtulus - Meaning and Origin
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Kurtulus: What does the surname Kurtulus mean?
Kurtulus is a Turkish surname derived from the Ottoman Turkish word kurtulmak, meaning ‘to make a way out’, ‘to get out’ or ‘to save oneself’. This is a fairly common Turkish surname with variations in spelling and different interpretations, all of which share the same meaning.
In terms of symbolism, the name Kurtulus inherently brings forth feelings of hope, success, resilience and courage. It is believed by many that the name is symbolic of having the power to save oneself from challenging, precarious situations and to rise above the chaos. People who carry the name Kurtulus can draw strength from its meaning and are likely to be determined individuals desperate for success.
Kurtulus is also one of the many Turkish surnames with a strong military or battle connection, as it symbolizes the act of escaping captivity through courage, strength and agility. This grants individuals with the surname an air of intimidating demeanor and confidence; of being able to come out of even the toughest of times.
The surname Kurtulus, with its many implications, positively reflects a person's ambition, strength and compassion. It is a reminder to take control of one’s future, for even if faced with difficulty, it is always possible to find a way out and strive for achievements. It is a name reflective of determination, courage and often success.
Order DNA origin analysisKurtulus: Where does the name Kurtulus come from?
The last name Kurtulus is found in many countries around the world today, though it is most common in Turkey, where it is the tenth most common surname in the country. It can also be found in Germany, where it is the fourteenth most popular surname. In Cyprus, the surname is the ninth most popular, in Turkmenistan it is the twenty-second most popular, while in Greeceit is the fifty-sixth most prevalent. It can also be found in Iran, Sri Lanka, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and other countries.
The surname has two possible origins, both coming from the Turkish language. The first, kurtulmak, means “to be saved, to be rescued,” representing the common Turkish belief in the power of God’s salvation. The second, kurt, can mean “wolf” in Turkish, and may be a reference to the shape of the original bearer’s facial features.
Kurtulus is most likely a patronymic name, indicating descent from a common ancestor who carried the name. It is possible that the original founder of the Kurtulus surname lived centuries ago in one of the countries mentioned above and that the name has been passed down through families since then.
Overall, the Kurtulus surname is an ancient one that has been handed down through many generations of descendants. Today, the Kurtulus surname is found most commonly in Turkey, Germany, and other countries around the world.
Variations of the surname Kurtulus
The Kurtulus surname originates from the Latin word meaning “deliverance”, but it is most commonly encountered in its Turkish variant, Kurtuluş. It is also found as variants Kurtoluş or Kurtoğlu, as well as Kertelis in its Greek form. A variety of alternative spellings, including Kurdoglu, Kerteli, Kertolu, Koiraylou, Kurdulos, and Courtolou, have also been recorded throughout history.
The Kurtulus surname is spread across different countries and regions in the Mediterranean basin, the wider Middle East and Central Asia, and has also been adopted far outside its original home. In Turkey for example, the Kurtulus surname is still used widely, and can be heavily concentrated in certain regions, such as in northeast province of Rize.
Immigration to other countries has resulted in a range of Anglicized spellings used by those carrying the Kurtulus name. One prominent example is Curd disagrees which is the result of British officials having difficulty with the pronunciation of the name when incoming refugees and migrants arrived in the UK. Other variants such as Kattoulas and Kurtulush can be found in the U.S. and Australia due to similar difficulties in pronunciation and spelling.
Overall, the Kurtulus surname is a diverse, widespread surname, and it is important to recognize the various forms it can take in order to trace family lineages and build a holistic understanding of its dissemination.
Famous people with the name Kurtulus
- Gülşah Kurtuluş: a Turkish actress and singer, best known for her role in 2016 TV series Karagül.
- İlker Kurtuluş: a Turkish footballer, currently playing for Manisa FK as a Midfielder.
- Yücel Kurtuluş: a Turkish astrophysicist, well-known for his discovery and research topics in black holes.
- Fatma Kurtuluş: a Turkish actress and singer, best known for her leading role in the 2012 movie Rüzgarin Kalbi.
- Tina Kurtuluş: a German actress, best known for her starring role in the 2003 film Unter dem Radar.
- Tolga Kurtuluş: a Turkish singer songwriter and recording artist, best known for his 2005 hit single “Bir Oluruz.”
- Deniz Kurtuluş: a Turkish recording artist and actor, best known for his roles in the 2011 movie Köprü and the 2014 film Kabadayi.
- Yaşar Kurtuluş: a Turkish professional footballer, currently playing for second division side Başakşehir FK.
- Mehmet Kurtuluş: a Turkish film director, specially known for his critically acclaimed 2009 movie Eylül.
- Alpaslan Kurtuluş: a Turkish entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Ikon Film Company.