Turkish family names

Today's Turkish family names can be traced back to the surname reform of June 21, 1934, which was introduced by order of the state founder Kemal Ataturk . The list does not claim to be complete.

regulation

Due to this regulation, all residents of Turkey had to give themselves a surname or the local administration assigned them a family name. Before this reform, there were no special family names in Turkey.

A.

Acar = strong, also male and female first name
Açıkgöz = smart, cunning
Adanır = famous, great, also male and female first name
Ağaoğlu = son of Ağa
Akay = white moon, also male and female first name
Akbay = an honest rich man, also a male first name
Akbulut = white cloud, also male first name
Akça = whitish, very white, also male and female first names
Akçay = white river, also male first name
Akdoğan = the gyrfalcon, also male first name
Akgül = white rose, also female given name
Akgün = happy day, also male first name
Akkan = of irreproachable origin, also male first name
Akman = beautiful person / old person, also male first name
Akpınar = pure source, also male and female first names
Aktaş = white stone, also male first name
Aktuna = a stately, righteous person, also male and female first name
Aktürk = light Turk, also male first name
Akyel , also male first name
Akyol = white (correct) way, also male first name
Akyüz = a sincere person, also a male first name
Albayrak = the flag of Turkey , also male first name
Aldemir = iron in a heated state, also male first name
Alemdaroğlu = son of Alemdar (standard bearer)
Alev = flame, also female given name
Alican = sublime friend, also male first name
Alıcı = sensitive, soulful, sensitive, also male first name
Alkane = blood red, also predominantly male first name
Alkım = rainbow, also male and female first name
Alpaslan = the heroic lion, also male first name
Alper = a brave man, also a male first name
Altay = Altai (mountains in Russia, China and Mongolia), also male first name
Altınsoy = precious, valuable, also male first name
Altuğ = red stick, also male first name
Anlı = famous, well-known, also male first name
Aras = also male first name
Arat = courage, boldness, also male first name
Arık = also male first name
Arıkan = pure blood, also male first name
Arslan = the lion, also male first name; see also Alp Arslan (Sultan of the Greater Seljuks)
Aşkın = exceeding, exceeding, superior, also male and female first names
Aslan = the lion, also male first name
Aslanoğlu = son of Aslan
Atakan = the ancestral blood, also male first name
Ataman = (tribe) father, head, leader, also male first name
Atasoy = someone with noble ancestors, also male first name
Ateş = fire, zeal, also male first name
Atılgan = active, sociable, daring, also male first name
Avcı = hunter, also male first name
Ay = moon
Aydın = light, bright, also male and female first names
Aydoğan = also male and female first name
Aydoğdu = also male first name

B.

Balcı = honey dealer, beekeeper
Başak = ear of wheat, (zodiac sign) virgin, also female given name
Başar = also male and female first name
Başer = a very significant, important person, also a male first name
Baştürk = leader / boss / head of the Turks, also male first name
Baydar = one of the commanders of the old Turkish state, also male first name
Bayrak = flag, (Turkish) flag, also male first name
Bayraktar = standard bearer, also male first name
Bayram = the festival, also male first name
Bayramoğlu = son of Bayram
Bayülken = noble (courageous), superscript, sublime, also male first name
Bekiroğlu = son of Bekir
Berk = strong, strong, also male first name
Bilge = wise, learned, also male and female first name
Bilgiç = learned, well-read (among others), also male first name
Bilgin = scholar, scientist, also male and female first name
Bilmen = learned, well-read, also male first name
Birol = be unique, also male first name
Bostancı = gardener
Bozkurt = gray wolf
Bulut = cloud, also male first name
Büyüktürk = great Turk

C.

Çakır = bluish, also male and female first names
Çakıroğlu = son of Çakır
Can = the soul, life, also male and female first names
Cansel = an exuberant person, also male and female first name
Çapar = also male first name
Çavuşoğlu = son of Çavuş (non-commissioned officer)
Çelik = steel, also male first name
Celil = tall, powerful, sublime, also a male first name
Cengiz = Genghis Khan, also male first name
Çetin = hard, also male first name
Çetinkaya = Çetin + Kaya , also male first name
Cevahir = also male and female first name
Ceylan = gazelle, also female given name
Çiçek = flower, also female given name
Çiftçi = farmer, also male first name
Çil = freckles
Çınar = plane tree, also male and female first names
Çoban = shepherd, shepherd, also male first name
Çolak = person with a crippled arm or hand, also male first name
Coşkun = fiery, lively; also male first name

D.

Dağ = mountain, also male first name
Dede = Dede Korkut (the character of the Turkish narrative cycle Dede Korkut )
Demir = iron, also male first name
Demirağ = strong, strong, also male first name
Demiray = strong, strong, powerful, also male first name
Demirbaş = the oldest, also male first name
Demircan = Demir + can , also male first name
Demirci = blacksmith
Demirel = "iron hand", also male first name
Demirkan = Demir + kan, also male first name
Demirtaş = Demir + taş , also male first name
Deniz = the sea, also male and female first name
Dilmen = also male and female first names
Dinçer = the vigorous man, also male first name
Doğan = falcon, also male first name
Doğu = East, also male and female first name
Doruk = summit, climax, also male first name
Duman = fog, smoke, also male first name
Durmaz = derived from the verb durmak
Durmuş = stopped, also male first name

E.

Ece = lady, also female given name
Efendioğlu = son of Efendi
Ekici = planter, grower, sower
Ekin = also male and female first name
Ekinci = farmer, farmer, also male first name
Ekşi = angry
Elçi = envoy, ambassador, also male first name
Elçin = also male and female first name
Eldem = also male and female first name
Elmas = diamond, also female given name
Eloğlu = son of the stranger
Elvan = multi-colored, colorful, also male and female first names
Emir = prince
Emre = comrade (among others), also male first name
Eralp = a brave man, also a male first name
Eraydın = an educated person, also male first name
Erbakan = he ("man, soldier") and bakan ("minister")
Erbay = respected, rich, also male and female first name
Erbil = the name of a tribal people from Eastern Anatolia, also male first name
Ercan = the brave, also male first name
Erdal = the only man, also male first name
Erdem = decency, virtue, also male first name
Erden = untouched, immaculate, also male and female first names
Erdil = courageous, courageous, fearless, determined, also male first name
Erdoğan = brave, brave, courageous, born as a soldier (fighter); also male first name
Eren = hero, also male first name
Ergun = quick, quick; nimble, agile (among others), also male first name
Ergün = docile, also male and female first names
Erkan = admiral, general, also male first name
Erkin = independent, free, also male and female first names
Erkmen = strong, vigorous, mighty; impressive, also male first name
Eroğlu = son of the brave
Erol = be a man, also male first name
Erten = prosperity (among others), also male and female first names
Ertürk = a brave Turk, also male first name
Eryılmaz = also male first name
Esen = healthy, safe, also male and female first name
Eyüboğlu = son of Eyup

F.

Feyzioğlu = son of Feyzi
Fidan = scion, scion, also female first name
Fırat = the river Euphrates , also male given name

G

Genç = young, youthful, also male first name
Gençalp = a young hero, also male first name
Gencer = the young man, also male first name
Gençerler = young men / soldiers
Gök = heaven, also female first name
Gökay = person with blue eyes, also male and female first name
Gökcan = the blue-eyed, also male first name
Gökçe = blue; pleasant, also male and female first names
Gökçen = beautiful, pretty, pleasant, also male and female first names
Göker = the blue-eyed, also male first name
Gökhan = the ruler of heaven (Khan), also male first name
Göksel = heavenly, "Himmelsflut", also male and female first names
Göksu = blue water, also male and female first names
Göktan = the time of dawn, also male first name
Göktürk = heavenly Turk, also male first name
Gönül = heart (as a metaphor), also female first name
Güçlü = strong, strong, also male first name
Gül = rose, also female given name
Guler = happy, also female first name
Günal = also male and female first name
Güner = time of dawn, also male and female first names
Güneş = sun, also male and female first name
Gürkan = lively, full-blooded person, also male first name
Güven = trust; Courage, also male and female first name
Güzel = beauty, also female given name

H

Heper = also male first name
Hulusi = sincere, cordial, also male first name

I.

İnan = faith, also male and female first name
İnanç = trust, faith, also male and female first names
İnce = slim, also male and female first name
İnci = pearl, also female given name
İnönü
İpekkaya = formed from İpek and kaya

K

Kahraman = hero, also male first name
Kahveci = coffee house owner
Kaplan = tiger , also male first name
Kara = black, dark, also male first name
Karabulut = dark cloud, also male first name
Karaca = deer , also female and male first name
Karadeniz = Black Sea , also male first name
Karakaş = black eyebrows, also male first name
Karakoç = dark young man, also male first name
Karataş = black stone, also male first name
Kasapoğlu = son of the butcher
Kaya = rock, also male first name
Kayalı = rocky
Kayhan = the strong and powerful ruler, also male given name
Kaynak = source, also male first name
Keser = Turkish "keser" = comes from the Inf. Kesmek = to cut, Keser = broad ax, cross hatchet, scimitar
Kılıç = the sword, also male first name
Koç = the ram, also male first name
Kocaoğlu = son of Koca
Koçoğlu = son of Koç
Korkmaz = the fearless, also male first name
Koyuncu = sheep farmer
Küçük = small, (also) young
Kurt = wolf
Kuzu = lamb

L.

Levent = handsome, handsome person, also male first name

M.

Melek = angel, also female given name
Memiş = also male first name
Meral = fawn, also female and male first name
Mercan = coral, also female given name
Mutlu = happy, also male and female first name

N

Noyan = Commander in Chief, Leader, Lord, also male first name

O

Oğuz = pure and well created, stable, strong, also male first name
Okan = understanding, also male first name
Öksüz = orphan, orphaned, orphaned, alone
Oktay = a man who is as strong as an arrow, also male first name
Okur = the reader, also male first name
Okyar = active; faithful friend, also male first name
Ölmez = immortal, eternal, immortal, incorruptible, also male and female first names
Ömür = life, also male and female first name
Önal = the first person, the example, the role model, also male and female first names
Onur = honor, pride, also male first name
Orhan = city administrator, city judge, also male first name
Örnek = role model, model, also male and female first name
Oya = crochet lace, decorative lace, also female first name
Öymen = a domestic person, also a male first name
Ozan = poet, poet, also male first name
Özcan = original soul, also male first name
Özdal , also male and female first name
Özden , also male and female first name
Özdil = sincere friends, also male first name
Özen = care, care, also male and female first names
Özer = a heroic and honest person, also a male first name
Özgür = also male and female first name
Özkan = noble blood, also male first name
Özlü = real; sincere, also male and female first names
Özoğuz = a true hero, also a male first name
Öztekin = a unique, male first name
Öztürk = real Turk / pure Turk / original Turk, also male first name

P

Pamuk = cotton, also female given name
Pınar = source, also female first name
Polat = also male first name

S.

Sağlam = healthy or reliable, also male first name
Şahin = buzzard, also male first name (more rarely also Şahan )
Şahinkaya = buzzard rock
Sancar , also Sançar = winner, also male first name
Sarı = yellow; blond
Sarıkaya = strong and blond, also male first name
Şaşmaz = infallible, infallible
Sayar = also female first name
Saygun = respected, also male and female first name
Sayın = honored, revered, also male and female first name
Selenium = good news; Wealth, abundance, also male and female first names
Şen = cheerful, cheerful, funny, also male and female first name
Şener = happy man, also male first name
Seyhan = the rivers, also male and female first name
Sezer = also male and female first name
Şimşek = lightning bolt, also male first name
Sinanoğlu = son of Sinan
Sofuoğlu = son of the pious
Solak = left-handed
Sönmez = also male and female first name
Soylu = noble, noble, sublime, also male first name
Soysal = cultivated, civilized, also male first name
Sükan = strong, strong, mighty; brave, also male first name
Süleymanoğlu = son of Süleyman
Sumer = also male and female first name

T

Tamer = a respected person, also a male first name
Tanrıkulu = servant of God, also male first name
Tarhan = also male first name (different meanings)
Taş = stone
Taşdemir = a rock-hard and iron person, also male first name
Tekin = the reliable, also male first name
Temel = basis, foundation, also male first name
Tezcan = impatient, excited, also male and female first name
Tezel = skillful, agile, also male and female first name
Tınaz = pile of grass or hay or straw, also male first name
Tok = full, also male first name
Toksöz = Tok + söz
Topçu = artilleryman
Toprak = earth, also male and female first name
Toptaş = top + taş
Topuz = door knocker, club, also male first name
Tosun = healthy, stocky, also male first name
Tufan = flood, also male first name
Tuna = magnificent, stately; Danube ; also male and female first names
Tunç = bronze, also male first name
Türel = the right (law), also male first name
Turgut = building or place where one lives, also male first name
Turkan = queen; beautiful girl, also female given name
Türkoğlu = son of the Turk

U

Uğur = luck, also male and female first name
Uluç = respected, respected, also male first name
Ulusoy = of blameless descent, also male first name
Umut = wish, hope, also (mostly male) first name
Ünal = become famous, also male and female first name
Üner = a well-known, recognized person, also male first name
Ünsal = also male and female first name
Ünver = also male and female first name
Ural = also male first name
Uraz = fate, chance, luck, also male first name
Uslu = reasonable, well-behaved, good, also male and female first names
Usta = master / masterful, also male first name
Üstgül: highest rose (üst = upper, highest; gül = rose)
Uygun = suitable, suitable, also male first name
Uygur = cultivated, civilized, also male and female first name
Uysal = peaceful, gentle, also male and female first name
Uzun = big, long
Uzunoğlu = son of the great (man)

V

Varol = begin to live, also male first name
Vural = hit and take, also male first name

Y

Yalçınkaya = steep rock
Yaman = fabulous, wonderful, also male first name
Yanar = burning, also male first name
Yazıcı = writer or printer
Yazıcıoğlu = son of Yazıcı
Yelken = sail
Yeşilçay = green river / green tea
Yiğit = strength, hero, also male first name
Yıldırım = lightning; Nickname of Sultan Bayezid I, also male first name
Yıldız = star, also male first name
Yılmaz = intrepid, fearless, indomitable, also male first name
Yılmazer = intrepid, fearless fighter
Yolcu = traveler, passenger, also male first name
Yörük = nomad, also male first name
Yüksel = increase, also male and female first name
Yusufoğlu = son of Joseph

Z

Zafer = victory, also male first name
Zengin = rich, rich, also male first name

Web links

Turkish language dictionary of names

Individual evidence

^ Rita Heuser, Damaris Nübling, Mirjam Schmuck: Family name geography: Results and perspectives of European research . Walter de Gruyter, 2011, ISBN 978-3-11-022382-8 ( limited preview in Google book search).

[1] Rita Heuser, Damaris Nübling, Mirjam Schmuck: Family name geography: Results and perspectives of European research . Walter de Gruyter, 2011, ISBN 978-3-11-022382-8 ( limited preview in Google book search).