Surname Morkevicius - Meaning and Origin
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Morkevicius: What does the surname Morkevicius mean?
The last name Morkevicius is of Lithuanian origin and is believed to be derived from the Old Upper Lithuanian words "mor" and "kov," which together mean "marsh strength." The name is indicative of a person with strong spiritual grounding, as marshland was a place where ancient rites of worship and prayer were held.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, the surname was used to identify anyone living near a marsh or in marshland.
Morkevicius is a fairly common name in Lithuania, with many branches of the family residing in different parts of the country. The tenth-century King of Lithuania Vytautas the Great also bore the surname Morkevicius.
The surname Morkevicius implies strength and heroism, qualities which are typically associated with a warrior. It is possible that some Morkevicius ancestors were warriors who fought to protect their families, their land, and their freedom. The name is a constant reminder of these traits and a source of tremendous pride for those who carry it.
Today the surname Morkevicius carries a sense of reverence, something that can be found in the Lithuanian saying: Morkevicius – The Strength of a Marsh.
Order DNA origin analysisMorkevicius: Where does the name Morkevicius come from?
The last name Morkevicius is most commonly found in Lithuania. The name is derived from the Lithuanian language where "morke" means dark and "vicius" means son. This name is ubiquitous in many areas of Lithuania, including cities such as Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipeda. According to the General Population Register, it is Lithuania's 47th most common surname.
In recent decades, a large number of migrant families carrying the Morkevicius surname have moved to other parts of Europe, particularly the United Kingdom. While it is not as popular in the UK as it is in Lithuania, it has still made an impact in London and other major cities. An estimated 555 Morkevicius families have settled in Britain since the 1990s.
The last name also has a significant presence in the United States. The Morkevicius family is one of the founding families of the small city of Brookston, Indiana. It is believed that the first members of the Morkevicius family arrived in America in 1872. Over the years, the surname spread to other states such as Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
Finally, the Morkevicius surname is more rare in other parts of the world including Australia, Canada, and South America. However, there are still a few pockets of Morkevicius families scattered throughout various countries in these regions.
Variations of the surname Morkevicius
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Morkevicius include:
Morkavicius
Morkavickas
Morkavickaus
Morkavickis
Morkavičius
Morkavickij
Morkevichius
Morkevici
Morkevicius
Morkovicius
Morkovici
Morkovic
Morkovickis
Morkovickas
Morkovacha
Morkovickij
Morkevičius
Morkewicius
Morkovicius
Morkovicius
Morkovicius
Morkevickas
Morkevicius
Morkewicius
Morkevikis
Morkevicij
Morkevickij
Morkevičij
Morkavicij
Morkavickius
Morkavicki
The surname Morkevicius is original from the small townships of Lapote near Siauliu and from the region of Kurzaiciai near Raseiniai, Lithuania. The origin of the surname Morkevicius can be traced back to pre-Christian symbols and meanings for protection, good luck, and peace, which is why it is still a very popular surname in Lithuania today.
Morkevicius is a derivative of the old Lithuanian word morkas or morkovas which refers to a type of medicinal herb or root. Over time, the word and surname morphed and became modernized into what is now Morkevicius. The earliest reference of the surname Morkevicius dates back to the mid-1700’s in Lithuania when it was spelled with the original spelling of Morkavick.
Due to the small number of Lithuanian surnames, numerous variations of the surname Morkevicius exist. The common variations include Morkavicius, Morkavickaus, Morkavickis, Morkovicas, Morkovicius, and Morkevichius. These variations are often found among Lithuanian immigrants in the United States as well as the descendants of immigrants. The unusual spelling of the surname has also aided in the preservation of its original meaning and historical origin.
Famous people with the name Morkevicius
- Igoris Morkevičius: Lithuanian politician, singer, and television presenter
- Marko Morkevičius: Lithuanian orienteer
- Matas Morkevičius: Lithuanian basketball player
- Modestas Morkevičius: Lithuanian basketball player
- Aurimas Morkevičius: Lithuanian football player
- Aivaras Morkevičius: Lithuanian politician
- Andrius Morkevičius: Lithuanian politician
- Domantas Morkevičius: Lithuanian basketball player
- Lukas Morkevičius: Lithuanian tennis player
- Edvinas Morkevičius: Lithuanian cyclist
- Audrius Morkevičius: Lithuanian orienteer
- Laimonas Morkevičius: Lithuanian basketball player
- Arminas Morkevičius: Lithuanian football player
- Paulius Morkevičius: Lithuanian basketball player
- Artūras Morkevičius: Lithuanian football player
- Pavelas Morkevičius: Lithuanian cross country skier
- Giedrius Morkevičius: Lithuanian basketball player
- Vytenis Morkevičius: Lithuanian football manager
- Vytautas Morkevičius: Lithuanian chess player
- Šarūnas Morkevičius: Lithuanian business executive and politician