Surname Ürkmez - Meaning and Origin
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Ürkmez: What does the surname Ürkmez mean?
The last name Ürkmez is a Turkish surname derived from the name of a village in Gaziantep Province located in southeastern Turkey. The name originates from the Turkish phrase "ürek mez," which translates to “the stone of the heart.” It is believed to have been given to the village by the local inhabitants, who believed a certain type of rock found in the area was good for the heart.
The surname Ürkmez is thought to have been given to individuals living in Ürkmez and its surrounding villages. It has now become one of many common surnames in the region, and can be found in several other countries, including the United States, Germany, France, and Canada.
The meaning of the surname Ürkmez has symbolic significance, as the phrase “ürek mez” references the heart, which is a sacred organ in many cultures, religions, and traditions. To the people of southeastern Turkey, the phrase signifies a strong heart, a sense of unity and belonging, and a commitment to one’s homeland and culture.
In Turkey, the surname Ürkmez is associated with a legendary female character in Turkish folklore by the same name. This character is renowned for her courage and strength in protecting her loved ones and homeland against enemies. The Ürkmez surname therefore carries a sense of pride and honour for Turkish people, as well as a connection to the lands in which they originated.
At its core, the Ürkmez surname symbolizes resilience and strength, having been passed down from generation to generation and standing the test of time. It symbolizes an unwavering commitment to one's homeland, and an appreciation for the ties that bind us all together.
Order DNA origin analysisÜrkmez: Where does the name Ürkmez come from?
The last name Ürkmez is commonly found in Turkey, particularly in the southeastern region of the country. This area includes the city of Diyarbakir, where a significant portion of those bearing the Ürkmez last name reside. It is also relatively common in the provinces of Mardin, Siirt, Batman, and Adiyaman.
The origin of the surname is uncertain but its prevalence is believed to come from the Kurdish and Turkish communities. It is thought to have either emerged from the Turkish word “ürkme” which means "to flee" or the Turkish word “ürk” which means “fearful”. Oral tradition claims the Ürkmez family is descended from a famous Kurdish chief known as Turab. Other sources purport the last name was originally spelled “Erkmez” and was a variation of the phrase “erk uzmez”, which translates as “the man in the mountain”.
Ürkmez is also a fairly common last name in other parts of the world, particularly in North America, as a result of Turkish immigrants. It is also found in Germany, due to German Turk immigrants from the 1960s onwards, as well as in the Middle East. Some have speculated that the last name may be of Zoroastrian origin, although this theory remains unconfirmed.
Overall, the last name Ürkmez is found most prevalently in Turkey and among Turkish peoples living abroad. Its precise origin remains unknown, although a variety of hypotheses have been advanced.
Variations of the surname Ürkmez
The surname Ürkmez is of Turkish origin and dates back centuries to the Ottoman Empire. It is derived from the Turkish word urkmez meaning a "poisoned well".
Variations and spellings of the Ürkmez surname include Urcmez, Ürcmes, and Ürcmez. These variants are typically found within Turkey and surrounding countries, but can also be found elsewhere due to migration.
Surnames with similar origins as Ürkmez are Elmaz, Irken, Körmen, and Romen.
Sub-categories of the Ürkmez name exist, such as the Ürkmez deresi, which translates to meaning "Urumez ravine". This regional surname is specific to those living in the Beykoz district near Istanbul, Turkey.
The surname Ürkmez has many possible spellings dependent on the geographic location and region in which it is found. However, Ürkmez is one of the most commonly used spellings when researching the origin of this name.
Famous people with the name Ürkmez
- Zafer Ürkmez: a former Turkish footballer and coach who had a successful career in the 1970s and 1980s.
- Mima Ürkmez: an Istanbul-based Turkish arts and entertainment journalist, TV presenter, and host.
- Sadik Ürkmez: an actor, director, and producer best known for his leading roles in Turkish movies and series.
- Necati Ürkmez: a Turkish attorney and human rights activist that was involved in some high-profile political cases.
- Ogün Ürkmez: a Turkish footballer who plays for Altinordu in the TFF first league.
- Yildiz Ürkmez: a Turkish businesswoman and academic that formerly served as dean of the Marmara University Business Administration faculty.
- Murat Ürkmez: a Turkish musician and composer who has created soundtracks and music for series including Ezel, Suskunlar, and Payitaht Abdulhamid.
- Mehmet Ürkmez: a financial expert and businessman who founded the investment and capital management firm Ürkmez Capital in 2017.
- Şükrü Ürkmez: a Turkish scientist and former president of the TUBITAK National Research Institute.
- Burak Ürkmez: a Turkish tennis player who is currently ranked in the top 150 on the ATP professional tour.