Surname Özel - Meaning and Origin
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Özel: What does the surname Özel mean?
The surname Özel is of Turkish origin and is derived from the word 'özel', meaning 'special' or 'exceptional'. It is not uncommon for Turkish families to take their surnames from words associated with positive emotions or attributes. As a result, Özel has become a popular surname among many Turkish families, signifying that the family is unique and special in some way.
Historically, the Özel name was also used to denote a special status in the Ottoman Empire. For example, Ottoman military ranks and titles, such as Pasha, were given to individuals who had earned a special status through exceptional accomplishments on the battlefield. This position was usually honorific and sometimes included a kind of noblesse oblige.
The Özel surname is often identified with certain geographical areas or ethnicities as well. Historically, the surname has been found in the Black Sea region of Turkey and the southeastern part of the country. It is also seen amongst the Turkish diaspora in other parts of the world.
The Özel surname is one that carries with it a sense of distinction and specialness. It is a reminder that no two families are the same, and that the Özel family has a unique story to tell. This surname is a reminder to celebrate and appreciate the unique qualities that make a family and its members truly exceptional.
Order DNA origin analysisÖzel: Where does the name Özel come from?
The last name Özel is most commonly found in Turkey today, where it is one of the 25 most common surnames. It is also common in other countries in the Middle East, such as Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, and Israel. Outside of the region, the last name is known to have roots in Armenian and Greek populations, mainly in Eastern Europe, while others have settled in the United States, Canada, Russia, Australia, and most other parts of the world.
The origin of the Özel surname is unclear. It may derive from the old Turkish word oğuz, meaning "clan", while others have suggested that it may have come from the Persian word öz, meaning "self". However, other sources suggest that the name may have an Arabic origin, specifically from the phrase "Tu al-Özel", meaning "you are the precious one".
In Turkey, the basis of the surname's popularity is due to the presence of a notable family of the same name in the country's past, hailing from the Anatolia region in the 13th century. The Özel dynasty rose to great prominence in the late 13th and early 14th centuries, and are known for their involvement in various military conflicts near the Mediterranean.
Today, the Özel surname is found in approximately 0.1 percent of the modern Turkish population, making it one of the most common surnames in the country. It is a reminder of the importance of the Özel clan in the country's past, and of the importance of family names in mastering one's own heritage.
Variations of the surname Özel
The surname Özel is an Ottoman-Turkish word that means "special" or "unique". It is primarily found in Turkey and the surrounding countries in this region. Variants of the surname Özel include Ozel, Ozell, Ozelle, Ozel, Ozil, Ozill, and Ussel.
The variants of Özel are often found as both given names and surnames, and they feature various spellings and accents. For example, Ozell can be written as Oszell, which includes a double s. In some regions, Ozell is written as Uszell, with U instead of O. Similarly, Özel is also occasionally written as Ussel, with U instead of O. The spelling Ozelle is a more modern version of the surname, featuring accents on both the first and last letters.
Variants of the surname Özel are also found in different countries. Ozil, for example, is quite common in Germany and Austria. Ozill and Ozelle are more common in the United States. Additionally, the surname Ozel is also sometimes found in the Middle East and in Hebrew cultures.
Surnames related to Özel include Uslu, Ustalı, and Uxkuri. Uslu is derived from the Arabic word for "good", while Ustalı is an Arabic-Turkish word meaning "proficient". Uxkuri is from Arabic as well and means "exceptional". All three surnames are derived from the same root as Özel and are found in the same region of the world.
Overall, the surname Özel is a unique name with variants of various spellings and accents. It is found in Turkey and the surrounding countries, as well as in some Middle Eastern cultures and Hebrew communities. The other related surnames derived from the same root, such as Uslu, Ustalı, and Uxkuri, are also found in the same region.
Famous people with the name Özel
- Deniz Özel (born 1956), Turkish journalist and author
- Levent Özel (born 1952), Turkish musician, composer, and producer
- Murat Özel (born 1976), Turkish actor
- Ender Özel (born 1959), Turkish film director
- Oktay Özel (born 1985), Turkish footballer
- Fuat Özel (born 1968), Turkish cartoonist
- Nükhet Özel (born 1969), Turkish actress
- Özgür Özel (born 1965), Turkish politician
- Nihat Bekdik Özel (born 1953), Turkish architect
- Kaan Özel (born 1992), Turkish basketball player
- Tolga Özel (born 1976), Turkish singer, songwriter, and producer
- Fethiye Özel (born 1960), Turkish poet
- Ömer Özel (born 1971), Turkish footballer
- Ersin Özel (born 1948), Turkish mountaineer, mountaineering instructor, and alpine skiing coach
- Uğur Özel (born 1969), Turkish actor
- Orhan Özel (born 1969), Turkish actor