Surname Turkov - Meaning and Origin
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Turkov: What does the surname Turkov mean?
The surname Turkov is of Slavic origin and is derived from the term "Turk", a name that was given to the people who were originally from Turkey. The suffix "-ov" literally means "son of" in Slavic languages, indicating a patronymic origin. So, put together, Turkov can indicate someone who is "son of a Turk". It is essential to consider variants and different spellings of this surname that are common among different nationalities. In Slavic cultures, last names often underwent changes to indicate the geographical origin, occupational specialities, or even characteristics of the initial bearer. The existence of this surname suggests that the ancestors of Turkov might have Turkish roots or might have been associated with Turks in some way in the past. However, simply on the basis of the surname, it would be incorrect to assume an immediate Turkish origin since surnames also pass down generations and the present-day bearers might not necessarily be related directly or closely to its original implication. The meaning or derivations of this last name, like many others, are speculative and it is often worth tracing back family history or genealogy for a more accurate understanding.
Order DNA origin analysisTurkov: Where does the name Turkov come from?
The surname Turkov is most commonly found in Russia, Belarus, Ukrain, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. It is also found throughout Eastern and Central Europe, particularly in areas with large populations of Slavic speakers. Outside of Europe, it can be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries around the world.
In alternative spellings, Turkov can be found as Turov, Turoff, Turaug, Turuk, Turkat, Tsurov, Turova, Tsuroff, Turukov, and Turukoff. The name is thought to have originated by a combination of Turk, which is a common nickname for an individual of Turkish descent, and a Slavic suffix "-ov" meaning "son of."
The commonest surname is Ivanov (Ivan's son) and therefore, the popularity of Turkov could be suggestive of a Turk-Slavic blending, likely occurring during the period of Turkic migrations during the Early Middle Ages. A variant spelling suggests Turkovic, a patronymic form derived from a medieval Turkic person's given name.
It is difficult to pinpoint specifically where Turkov is most common today, as it has spread over the centuries as populations of its native countries migrated to other parts of the world. Therefore, the surname could be encountered anywhere from North America to Australia.
Variations of the surname Turkov
The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Turkov are Turko, Turkow, Turkew, Türkow, Turkov, Turkevich, Türkov, and Turkofsky.
Turkov is a Slavic surname of uncertain origin. It is thought to derive from the Middle High German surname Türke, which was a name used to describe someone of Turkic or Tartar ethnicity. It can be found in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, as well as other countries with a significant Slavic population.
The Turkov spelling is the most commonly found variant of the surname. Other variants include Turko, Turkow, and Turkew, which are likely simply variations of the common spelling. The spelling Türkow is the German version of the name, and is less common than the Slavic versions. Turkov and Turkofsky may also be found occasionally, and represent possible patronymic endings (-ov and -ofsky, respectively).
Finally, the common surname adjunctive in Russia and Belarus, -vich, may also be appended to the name as Turkevich. This is the name of a senior member of the aristocracy, or a son of someone belonging to this class, so it may indicate that the original bearer of the name Turkov was of noble birth.
For those with the surname Turkov, or any of its variants, there can be no definite answer as to its origin. But whatever its true origin, it likely indicates a connection to Turkic ethnicity.
Famous people with the name Turkov
- Sotir Tzotchev Turkov: Bulgarian politician and former Bulgarian Energy Minister.
- Khasan Turkov: Soviet Uzbek poet and playwright.
- Talgat Aytmukhambetov: Kazakh politician, diplomat, and former Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan.
- Anastasia Turkov: Russian singer and actress.
- Johann Andor Turkov: Hungarian physicist and professor.
- Anton Turkov: Russian writer, poet, and satirist.
- Rastko Turkov: Serbian diplomat and former Minister of Foreign Affairs.
- Jaroslav Turkov: Russian psychologist and professor.
- Miroslav Turkov: Czech historian and professor.
- Tomislav Turkov: Croatian water polo player.
- Jurij Turkov: Soviet actor and singer.
- Stefan Turkov: Bulgarian actor and director.
- Boris Turkov: Russian artist.
- Albina Turkov: Russian actress and presenter.
- Samuil Turkov: Bulgarian actor.
- Tariel Turkov: Georgian film director and writer.
- Imre Turkov: Hungarian pharmacist and politician.
- Boris Turkov: Russian ice hockey player.
- Vladimir Turkov: Russian journalist and politician.
- Valentin Turkov: Russian Orthodox theologian.