Surname Özkurt - Meaning and Origin
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Özkurt: What does the surname Özkurt mean?
The last name Özkurt is of Turkish origin and is found predominantly in Turkey and some parts of Europe. It comes from the Turkish word "öz," which translates to "own" or "self," as well as the word "kurt," meaning "wolf." Combined, this name literally translates to "own wolf" and is thought to have traditionally been associated with a family of brave shepherds from the Anatolian region of Turkey.
The name Özkurt typically suggests that the family it belongs to is courageous, loyal, and willing to stand up and protect what is theirs. It is said that the origins of the name Özkurt can be traced back to a shepherd who, while protecting his flock, encountered a wolf. He bravely confronted the wolf and was victorious, inspiring his descendants to carry his name forward in remembrance of the courageous man.
More recently, the name Özkurt is no longer limited to just shepherds and bears no social or economic connotation. In the modern day, the last name Özkurt is found among a variety of profession and lifestyles, but typically still denotes a formidable, bold, and courageous family. In addition to its long-standing links to bravery and courage, the name Özkurt also implies a strong sense of loyalty and dedication to one's values and beliefs.
Order DNA origin analysisÖzkurt: Where does the name Özkurt come from?
The last name Özkurt is most commonly found in Turkey, where it is one of the top 200 last names in the country. It is estimated that there are approximately 15,000 people with the last name Özkurt currently living in Turkey.
Outside of Turkey, there are also pockets of Özkurt families in various European countries, including the United Kingdom, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Austria, and the Netherlands. There are also a few instances of families with the last name Özkurt living in North America, including Canada and the United States.
However, the Özkurt name is most prominent in southeast Turkey, where many families with the name can be found in towns and cities such as Diyarbakir, Mardin, Urfa, Batman, and Gaziantep. Families with the last name Özkurt have lived in this region for centuries. Its origin is believed to have something to do with the Ottoman Empire as many surnames in the region can be traced back to that time period.
Overall, the commonality of the Özkurt name is highest in Turkey and decreases as one moves away from the country. While the last name is still found in other countries, some of the oldest Özkurt families can still be found in Turkey, primarily in the southeast.
Variations of the surname Özkurt
The surname Özkurt is an ancient Turkish surname originating from the Turkish word for ‘tiger’ which is özkörü. It is a very common surname in Turkey and the Middle East, and its variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin are numerous.
The variants of the surname Özkurt can begin with any of the letters Ö, O, U or Uy. Some of the most common spellings of Özkurt are Ozkurt, Oezkurt, Uozkurt, Uoykurt, Uyskurt, and Uyskort.
In terms of surname variants of the same origin, Ozkurt is often seen as Osmankurt, Ozmenkurt, Usmankurt or Uysmankurt. It can also sometimes be found as Ömürkurt, Uymürkurt, and Önkurt.
Although Özkurt is a very common surname in Turkey and the Middle East, other related surnames may be seen throughout Europe, especially in regions with sizable Turkish communities. These include Ozçer, Uzçer or Ozcür which are all derived from the same root, as well as Ozdenk, Ozdenk, Ozcan, Ozkan, Ozdiker, Uysal, and Uzan.
Although there is a vast range of spellings and derivatives, Özkurt is a surname which appears to be widespread and very much beloved in Turkey and the Middle East and its variants and derivatives undoubtedly form a small part of the rich atmosphere of this area.
Famous people with the name Özkurt
- Zulkuf Özkurt, Turkish politician/ member of parliament from 2015-2018
- Hakan Özkurt, Turkish actor
- Hüseyin Özkurt, Turkish actor
- Kemal Özkurt, Turkish singer-songwriter
- Muhammed Çetin Özkurt, Turkish archery world champion
- Serhat Özkurt, Turkish journalist
- Berkay Özkurt, Turkish football player
- Mahmut Özkurt, Turkish journalist
- Murat Özkurt, Turkish entrepreneur and businessman
- Ümit Özkurt, Turkish film director