Surname Topcu - Meaning and Origin

Topcu: What does the surname Topcu mean?

The last name Topcu is an occupational Turkish surname deriving from the Turkish word “topcu” meaning “cannon” or “cannoneer.” It is believed to have originally been the name of a family who manufactured cannons for the Ottoman army in the 15th century, making it one of the oldest surnames of its type in Turkey. The Topcu family was one of only a few families at the time who had access to cannons and military technology, making them important to the Ottoman military.

This last name has become popular in Turkey over the centuries. In addition to the original cannon-producing family, members of other and unrelated families may adopt the name in acknowledgement of those who carried the Topcu name before them. This last name can also be seen in other Eastern European and Middle Eastern regions such as Russia, Armenia, Bulgaria and Greece, indicating that the name has been passed down for many generations in these areas too.

The meaning of the Topcu surname has a very special significance to many, connecting them to their ancestors and a proud and noble cultural history. Today, there is still a large number of Topcu family members living in Turkey and elsewhere, and it is likely that this surname will remain in use for centuries to come.

Topcu: Where does the name Topcu come from?

The last name Topcu is quite common in Turkey today. According to a recent census, Topcu is one of the top ten most common surnames in the country, with more than 170,000 individuals carrying the name. Historically, Topcu has been used as an occupational surname, referring to individuals who worked as blacksmiths, gunsmiths, makers of edged weapons, artillery and cannon makers, and professionals who repaired equipment for the armed forces.

Today, because of migration, Topcu can be found in many countries around the world. In the United States, California and New York are the two states with the most Topcu families. In Europe, it is most common in the Netherlands and Germany. In Asia, countries like India and the Philippines have significant Topcu populations, although the name is most common in the Middle East. In the Middle East, it is especially popular in Kuwait, Iraq, and Israel.

In short, the last name Topcu is most commonly found in Turkey, but its reach stretches across the globe to countries in Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East.

Variations of the surname Topcu

The surname Topcu is of Turkish origins and is considered to be one of the oldest surnames in Turkish history. The variants of the surname Topcu range from Topchoe, Topchie, Topco, Topcor, Toptcho and Toptschie.

As the surname Topcu originated from the Ottoman Empire, it was officially commonly spelled Toptcho or Toptschie. Toptcho and Toptschie are both Turkish words for gunsmith and are likely to have been given to the first person to take the surname Topcu as a sign of respect.

After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, people with the surname Topcu decided to take additional variations of the name such as Topchoe and Topchie to another spellings adapted to some of the European languages. Over the years, the surname Topcu and its variations became common among the neighbouring countries.

Due to intermarriages and migrations, over time the spelling Topcu has changed in most regions in the world. For instance, In Russia some people with the surname Topcu changed their surname to Topco which has been traced in various Russian archives. In the Balkans, the surname Topcu is known as Topcor.

The surname Topcu is particularity common in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa, where many families bearing the surname Topcu migrated to over time. The surname Topcu is also widely spread across Europe and North America.

As you can see, there are many variants and spellings for the surname Topcu, but taking all of them into account the root of the name is still the same.

Famous people with the name Topcu

• Mehmet Akif Topcu: He is a Turkish social scientist, writer, and public figure known for his contributions to the Close Neighbours Project and the Intercultural Dialogue Platform.
• Ahmet Topcu: He is a Turkish journalist, poet, and novelist, known for his works on romantic and social issues.
• Tomur Atilla Topcu: He is a Turkish physicist and Professor of Neuroscience at the Institute of Neuroanatomy in Marmara University.
• Serhat Topcu: He is a Turkish basketball player and former international with the Turkish national basketball team.
• Emetullah Topcu: She is a Turkish actress and writer, best known for her work on the series “Are You There God? It’s Me, Muge Topcu”.
• Sule Topcu: He is a Turkish engineer and consultant, who specializes in engineering and green energy.
• Adem Topcu: He is a Turkish footballer and former international with the Turkish national football team.
• Gokhan Topcu: He is a Turkish footballer and former international with the Turkish national football team.
• Altan Topcu: He is a Turkish music producer, audio engineer, and composer.
• Burcak Topcu: She is a Turkish politician and Member of Parliament of the Republican People's Party.

Other surnames

Topcuoglu