Surname Kurultay - Meaning and Origin
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Kurultay: What does the surname Kurultay mean?
The last name Kurultay is a Turkish surname, as the Turkish language does not have family names. It may be a combination of two words in Turkish – ‘kur’ meaning ‘tribe’ and ‘ultay’ which sums up the idea of a tribal council. The word ‘ultay’ is derived from the Arabic ‘ulfa’ meaning ‘tribe’ or ‘clan’.
The Kurultay, as it is most commonly known, was a Central Asian political institution which had been present since the pre-Turkic era. The Kurultay was a type of assembly, or gathering, of heads of different tribes, clans, or other political entities, and it was responsible for making the most important decisions of the Central Asian nations.
The Kurultay was a place where the power of the different tribes was manifest, as the gathering usually served as the main form of political organization for Central Asian populations. Gathering the different tribal leaders, used to decide important local matters, guarantee peace and justice or discuss other issues.
The last name Kurultay is, therefore, historically connected to the old Central Asian tribes and politically powerful assemblies. It is also a notable reminder to those who bear it of those exciting times of tribal gatherings, making important decisions.
Order DNA origin analysisKurultay: Where does the name Kurultay come from?
The last name Kurultay is commonly found in Turkey and the surrounding region today. Despite being a relatively uncommon Turkish surname, Kurultay has a rich history with references to the ancient Turkic empire. The last name Kurultay combines two words from the ancient Turkic language, 'kur' and 'ultay', which together mean "first one in the tribe".
The Kurultay family is thought to have originated in the Cappadocia region within modern-day Turkey. Some alternative spellings of the name, including Kurtyard, may also be used. In contemporary Turkey, the last name Kurultay is most commonly found in the Central Anatolia and South-eastern regions of the country.
Kurultay is an example of an Asabiyya, or patronymic surname, in Turkish society. Such surnames are derived from the father's given name and are often used to indicate family relationships and descent. Traditionally, Turkish surnames would also indicate a person’s social and economic status in the community and the Kurultay family is thought to have had a high station in Ottoman society.
Today, the last name Kurultay continues to represent symbols of heritage and identity for those of Turkish descent. In modern Turkey, it can be seen inscribed in many street names as a reminder of the unique history and culture of the region.
Variations of the surname Kurultay
The surname Kurultay is a Turkish word derived from the Persian words kurul, which means prince, and tay, meaning tribe or family. The word is used to denote a chieftain or a leader of a tribe. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Kurultay are Kurulay, Kureley, Kurelay, Qureyli, and Qureili.
Kurulay is a variant spelling of Kurultay and it is derived from the same Turkish and Persian roots. The spelling is commonly used among Turkic and Persian-speaking populations in countries in Central Asia, like Azerbaijan. In Tuva, or Tyva, a Siberian republic in the Russian Federation, this spelling is used to denote a chief or leader of a tribe who is considered to be the descendant of the prince.
Kureley is a less common spelling derived from the same Turkish and Persian origins. It is most commonly used among Turkic-speaking populations in Bulgaria and Romania.
Kurelay is another variant with the same origin as Kurultay. It is also derived from the Turkish and Persian words for prince and tribe and is used to denote a chieftain or leader of a tribe. This spelling is particularly popular among Turkic-speaking populations in Kazakhstan.
Qureyli and Qureili are two more spellings derived from the same origins as Kurultay. These two spellings are used in countries such as Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan and denote a chieftain or leader of a tribe.
In summary, the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Kurultay are Kurulay, Kureley, Kurelay, Qureyli, and Qureili. All of these spellings and variants are derived from the Turkish and Persian words meaning prince and tribe and are used to denote a chieftain or leader of a tribe.
Famous people with the name Kurultay
- Erol Kurultay: Erol Kurultay is a Turkish-German film director, producer and screenwriter. He is known for directing the critically acclaimed SALTO, which won a Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2020.
- Kadri Kurultay: Kadri is a Turkish model and actress. She is widely recognized for her roles on the TV series Checkpoint and Menace, as well as for her modeling campaigns with L’Oreal, Maybelline, and Penguin Clothing.
- Mustafa Kurultay: Mustafa is the lead vocalist and frontman of the Austrian punk rock band The Fauves.
- Naciye Kurultay: Naciye is a Turkish politician who was elected to the Turkish Grand National Assembly in 2019 as an independent MP for the Mersin Province.
- Serkan Kurultay: Serkan is a Turkish football player who currently plays for Gaziantepspor in the TFF Süper Lig. He is a versatile winger, known for his great ball control and dribbling ability.
- Ufuk Kurultay: Ufuk is a Turkish entrepreneur who has been named one of the most successful venture capitalists in Turkey. He is the Founder of Kurultay Ventures, which is one of the most successful early stage tech investors in the country.
- Begum Ünsür Kurultay: Begum is a Turkish businesswoman and philanthropist. She is widely known for her work in education and healthcare, having founded several organizations that promote those causes.