Surname Topal - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'T'
Topal: What does the surname Topal mean?
The last name Topal is of Turkish origin and has several possible meanings depending on which part of the country it is from. It is believed to be derived from the Turkish "top" meaning "cannon" or "gun". It could also be related to the Turkish verb "toplamak", which means "to collect" or "to bring together".
Other interpretations suggest that it could come from the Turkish word "topla" which is synonymous with "farmer" or "peasant". This could refer to a peasant living in the area and using the nomadic lifestyle to establish a settled home.
It may also be a combination of two Turkish words; "top" which could refer to a cannon or gun, and "al" which could refer to a person in legal authority, perhaps in reference to a military leader.
Whatever the origin, the last name Topal is believed to represent strength and courage, and is associated with ambition and perseverance. It is a strong symbol of the admirable qualities of those bearing the name, and of the values associated with it from the Ottoman Empire.
Order DNA origin analysisTopal: Where does the name Topal come from?
The last name Topal is most common in Turkey, where it is an occupational name derived from the Turkish word for drummer. It is also found in other countries in the region, including Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Iraq.
Topal is believed to have originated among a Muslim community in Anatolia as early as the 11th century. Popular records suggest that it began as a title held by court drummers, specifically those appointed to the Ottoman palace, and was eventually adopted as a surname by their families. Starting in the 18th century, more people began to take on Topal as a last name.
Today, Topal is most commonly found in Turkey, where it is estimated to make up approximately one in every 6,089 surnames. It is also widely spread in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Iraq. In addition, Topal can also be found in countries across Europe and Asia, particularly in former Ottoman territories.
Variations of the surname Topal
The surname Topal is a Medieval Hungarian surname of Slavic origin. It is thought to be derived from the word ‘topol’, meaning ‘fir tree’. Variants of this surname include Topol, Topolovic, Topolevic, Topolov, Topoloski, Topolski, Topovski, Topolsich, Topolinsky, and Topalov. The French version of the surname is Topolle, and the Italian name is Topaldi.
In some parts of Eastern Europe, the surname Topal is spelled as Tapol or Tapoli. This variant is a combination of the Old Slavic word ‘tepa’ and the modern Slovakian name ‘tepolina’, both meaning ‘stalk of a tree’. This variant also has the French spelling Tapalle, as well as the Italian spelling Tapaldi. Variants that incorporate the Slavic ‘z’ are Topzl and Tapzl.
Other surnames of similar origin include Topdorfer, Topsu, Topdjiev, Topalik, Topkow, Toplinska, Topnicky, Topor, Toposka, and Toprya. Some surnames of different spelling but with a similar meaning include Topor, Toporkova, Topnicky, Topolska, and Toptal.
variations of this surname are found in various parts of Europe, Russia and the United States. When the surname is found in the United States, it may be spelled as Topole, Topolow, and Topoleski. However, many of these variants have adapted to the local languages and cultures, so slight variations in consonant and vowel use have occurred over time.
Famous people with the name Topal
- Uğur Topal: a Turkish actor and director best known for his works on soap operas like Asi, Gülseren Motoru, and Sessiz Firtina.
- Furkan Topal: a Turkish professional footballer who plays as a centre midfielder in the Turkish-based club Fenerbahce S.K.
- Gürkan Topal: a Turkish-Cypriot goalkeeper who plays for Eredivisie club Fortuna Sittard and the Turkish national team.
- Musa Topal: a Turkish swimmer who has represented his country in various international competitions, including the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
- Zafer Topal: a Turkish retired footballer who played as a defender for clubs like Kocaelispor and Adanaspor.
- Ünal Topal: a contemporary Turkish artist and sculptor who has held solo exhibitions across the country.
- Zeynep Akçaboy Topal: a Turkish film director, writer, editor, and producer best known for her films like İki Aile and Yalancı Çember.
- Deniz Topal: a Turkish Paralympian who competes in alpine skiing. He won the gold medal at the 2019 World Para Alpine Skiing Championships in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia.
- Çetin Topal: a Turkish actor known for his roles in TV shows like Bir Zamanlar Çukurova and Zümrüt.
- Zeki Topal: a Turkish former footballer who played as a striker for clubs like Gençlerbirliği and Antalyaspor.