Surname Yilmaz - Meaning and Origin

Journey of Self-Discovery: Understanding the Yilmaz Lineage through an iGENEA DNA Test

Recently, I undertook a DNA test at iGENEA, aimed at understanding the deep roots and history of my family lineage linked to the Yilmaz surname. This comprehensive DNA test provided me with insightful information, tracing my lineage back to the Turkic tribes of Central Asia – validating family narratives. The accuracy and in-depth results were impressive, despite acknowledging the unavoidable limitations of this evolving science.

K. Yilmaz

Yilmaz: What does the surname Yilmaz mean?

Yilmaz is a traditional Turkish surname, meaning "moonlight". It is thought to be derived from the two Turkish words "yil" (moon) and "maz" (light), although the exact etymology is uncertain. Traditionally, the name is believed to signify beauty, strength, and power; the crescent moon being associated with each of these qualities in different cultures.

In modern times, the name Yilmaz is often associated with success and ambition. Its holders are often ambitious, strong-willed, and driven, making them excellent candidates for success in business and other professional areas.

As a surname, the Yilmaz family is widely represented throughout the world. Although it remains most prevalent in Turkey, people of all ethnicities now carry the Yilmaz name. Additionally, since its arrival in the US, many of its holders have gone on to achieve great success - from prominent academics and entrepreneurs to well-known athletes and celebrities.

At its roots, Yilmaz is a name steeped in history and culture, signifying strength and beauty. Its holders are known for their ambition and strong-willed nature, making them perfect candidates for success in all aspects of life.

Yilmaz: Where does the name Yilmaz come from?

The last name Yilmaz is commonly found today throughout Turkey. Yilmaz is one of the most common surnames in Turkey and is estimated to be held by around 500,000 people. The popularity of Yilmaz is thought to have originated from the Oghuz Turks, a historically nomadic tribe from Central Asia, who combined the words yil, meaning ‘year’ and maz, meaning ‘to remain’. The combination of these two words commemorates the year of settlement of the tribe in Turkey, according to a 15th century Ottoman record.

Yilmaz is now the twelfth most common surname in Turkey. According to census data from 2007, there were approximately 465 thousand Turkish citizens with the surname Yilmaz living in Turkey's provinces. The most common province for the surname is by far Istanbul, with nearly 75 thousand Yilmaz households. It is also relatively common in Zonguldak, Ankara, and Maraş, where the surname is the fifth, sixth, and seventh most common. However, Yilmaz is not limited to Turkey; outside the native homeland, the last name Yilmaz can be found throughout the rest of the world, particularly with Turkish and other Middle Eastern diaspora.

Variations of the surname Yilmaz

The surname Yilmaz is popularly found across parts of Eurasia, particularly Turkey, Cyprus, and some parts of the Middle East. It is derived from the Turkish word for "moonlight," yinlik. The surname is also found in a variant form Yilmas in some places. There are also two surnames with the same origin and meaning as Yilmaz, both Yilmasoglu and Yilmasoğlu.

In some regions, the surname Yilmaz is also spelled as Yilmas, and in some cases Yilmaaz or Yilmazoglu. In Cyprus, the Yilmaz surname is also spelled as Yilmasoglu or Yilmasōglu, with the former being an older form of the latter.

The bearers of the surname Yilmaz can be found in different parts of the world, with some variants of the name being more common in specific countries. For instance, the surname Yilmaz is more common in Turkey, while the surnames Yilmasoglu and Yilmasōglu are more common in Cyprus.

In some areas, the surname has also been adapted to local languages. In Bulgaria, for example, the surname Yilmaz is adapted to Yilyazov or Yilyazoff.

As a result of migration and diaspora, the variants of the surname Yilmaz (such as Yilmas, Yilmasoglu and Yilmasōglu) are found in many countries. People of Turkish descent in Europe, the Americas, and other parts of the world mostly going by the surname Yilmaz, Yilmas, Yilmaaz, Yilmazoglu, Yilmasoglu, and Yilmasōglu.

Famous people with the name Yilmaz

• Fatih Yilmaz: A Turkish actor, director, and photographer who is best known for his roles in the 2011 production of Asi.
• Cahit Yilmaz: A celebrity Turkish hairdresser, his works have been featured in cosmopolitan Turkey and Elle Magazine.
• Suat Yilmaz: A famous Turkish producer and entrepreneur who is well-known in the film, fashion and advertising industry in Turkey.
• Orhan Yilmaz: A Turkish professional basketball player who currently plays for Bahcesehir Koleji in the Turkish Basketball Super League.
• Davut Yilmaz: A Turkish footballer who is currently playing as a striker for Turkish club Samsunspor.
• Umit Yilmaz: A Turkish professor of economics at the University of Istanbul, who also serves as an honorary professor at Ozyegin University.
• Suna Yilmaz: A Turkish politician who has served as a Member of Parliament and Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey.
• Musa Yilmaz: A Turkish chess grandmaster who represented Turkey in the Chess Olympiads and in other international tournaments.
• Yilmaz Yalvac: A Turkish stage and cinema actor and TV series actor best known for his roles in many Turkish series.
• Karaca Yilmaz: A Turkish singer, songwriter and actor, who is especially known for her collaborations with other musicians.

Other surnames

YilmazogluYilmaztürk