Surname Turkovitch - Meaning and Origin

Turkovitch: What does the surname Turkovitch mean?

The surname Turkovitch is of Slavic origin and is most likely derived from the word 'Turk', a national name for a person from Turkey. The suffix '-ovich' is a patronymic feature commonly found in Slavic languages, typically meaning 'son of'. So, Turkovitch could tentatively mean 'son of a Turk'. However, surnames can have various origins, historical influences and meanings across different regions, and without knowing the specific lineage or regional history of a person with the surname Turkovitch, it is difficult to ascertain the exact meaning. This interpretation is purely based on the linguistic elements of the name. Turkish communities have historically been present in many parts of Eastern Europe due to the expansion of the Ottoman Empire, which may influence the prevalence of surnames with such roots in the region. However, the interpretation can greatly vary based on geographic, historic, or cultural context.

Turkovitch: Where does the name Turkovitch come from?

The last name Turkovitch is currently most commonly found in Croatia. According to research from Forebears, the last name is most prevalent in the Istrian area at the top of the Adriatic Sea. The region, largely populated by Croatians, has a population of over 7 million people and served as the fueling point for the rise of Roman civilization. Other countries that have concentrations of Turkovitch individuals are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, and Montenegro.

As the Roman Empire expanded, so did the distribution of the Turkovitch surname. During the 16th century conquest of the Balkan Peninsula, Specifically in the city of Porec, Croatia, many people were given surnames as a way of distinguishing themselves. During the start of the 19th century, many surname holders migrated to various countries, thus spreading the name to many more.

Today, the Turkovitch surname can be found in many parts of Europe, including major cities like London, Dublin, Paris, and Berlin. Outside of Europe, it can also be found in places like the United States, Canada, Australia, and South Africa.

Overall, the Turkovitch surname is widely dispersed. It is most common in Croatia and other parts of the Balkan Peninsula, but also has a strong presence in the rest of Europe, as well as in the United States and Canada. As more people migrate further distances, it is likely that the surname will continue to be more widely spread in the coming years.

Variations of the surname Turkovitch

The surname Turkovitch is of Russian origin and is believed to originate from the Slavic term "turk" meaning “foreigner” or “person from outside”. Variants of this surname include Tourkovich, Turkovich, Turkowitch and sometimes Turkovitsch. Common spellings of the surname may include Turkovitch, Turkovich,Turkovics, Turkovits, Turkovitz, and Turkowitsch.

The surname of Turkovitch has undergone minor spelling changes throughout the centuries. It is also known to have absorbed other family's names to form derivatives of the original surname. Examples of such derivatives are: Turkovetsky, Torkevich, and Turkovska.

Other surnames developed from the same origin are Tourko, Tourkin, Tourkoff, Tourkob, Tolkien, Tourkon, Tourkov, Tourkovits, Tourkovich, Tourkountz, Tourkusk, Turkel, Turkelson, Turkewitsch, Turkievich, Turkminster, Turkin, Turkins, Turkmas, Turkovich, Istanbul, Turlockey, Turlockson, and Turel.

Although the exact origin of the surname has been lost over time, the origins remain clear, with the suffix "-vitch" prefix in the name providing evidence of the old Slavic roots of the surname. The Turkovitch surname serves as a reminder of the rich cultural history of the Slavic region.

Famous people with the name Turkovitch

• Sasha Turqouitch: an American athlete and beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss United States in 2012.
• Ann Turqouitch: a Serbian singer and songwriter, a globally recognised name in the Eurodance genre of electronic dance music.
• Luka Turqouitch: a Serbian actor and director, best known for roles in television series such as “Runaways” and “Nova stranka”.
• Bruce Turqouitch: an American rennaissance performing artist and acrobat, considered by many to be a pioneer of modern-day circus arts
• Marija Turqouitch: a Croatian typeface and graphic designer, responsible for creating a series of high-contrast display typefaces and numerous logos for technology companies.
• Marko Turqouitch: a Serbian writer who wrote several award-winning novels and is considered to be one of the fathers of modern Serbian literature.
• Vesna Turqouitch: a Bosnian Paralympic athlete who won three gold medals in track and field events at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.
• Zoran Turqouitch: a Macedonian anthropologist and academic, best known for his research into the history and development of South Slavic cultures and a pioneer of cultural anthropology studies in the country.

Other surnames

TurkovicTurkovich