Surname Akkoyunlu - Meaning and Origin

Akkoyunlu: What does the surname Akkoyunlu mean?

The last name Akkoyunlu is a Turkish or Turkic name derived from the word “akkoyun” which means “white ram.” The name is an ancient Turkish tribal name originating from the Ak Koyunlu which is a Turkish nomadic tribe which had their home in the region of Eastern Anatolia. The Ak Koyunlu tribe is believed to have been established before the Ottoman Empire.

The Ak Koyunlu tribe originated from the Oghuz Turks and were renowned for their bravery and success in battle. They kept their independence from the decline of the Seljuks in the 13th century, and rose to prominence in the 15th century under Uzun Hassan, one of their leaders. After Uzun Hassan’s death, there was a power struggle between rival factions, and the Ak Koyunlu were eventually defeated by the Safavid dynasty in 1514.

The legacy of the Ak Koyunlu is kept living in the last name of Akkoyunlu which is inherited by ensuing generations. Today, the name is still relatively widespread in Turkey, especially in the eastern regions. The name is regarded with pride and is still often used in Turkey and regions where Turkish and Turkic people practice their culture and values.

Akkoyunlu: Where does the name Akkoyunlu come from?

The last name Akkoyunlu is most commonly found today in Turkey. It derived from the Akkoyunlu, the most powerful Anatolian Turkoman tribal federation of the 15th and 16th centuries. The Akkoyunlu rose to prominence in the 12th century under Shah Saladin, and established a dynasty that would ultimately stretch from Syria to Iran and Iraq.

The Akkoyunlu Dynasty attracted scholars, artisans and merchants from all of the Middle East, Central Europe and France, helping to make the dynasty one of the most powerful and cultured in its time. It wasn't until 1501 that the last Akkoyunlu ruler, Yavuz Sultan Selim, was defeated and the dynasty crumbled.

History records show that many of the surviving Akkoyunlu clans moved to Turkey shortly afterwards. Here, some were assimilated into the Ottoman Empire and were able to hold influential positions in government, while others chose to remain in rural areas, maintaining their family traditions and culture with few or no cultural exchanges.

Today, people with the Akkoyunlu surname are still mainly found concentrated in the western coastal regions of Turkey, particularly in Izmir Province. However, emigration has led to Akkoyunlu ancestry being found all around the world, particularly in countries with strong Turkish diasporas, such as the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Akkoyunlu descendants today still benefit from their ancestors' legacy, particularly in the arts, science and cuisine, all of which were highly valued and cultivated by the dynasty during its time.

Variations of the surname Akkoyunlu

The surname Akkoyunlu is a Turkish family name originating from Central and Western Asia. It is a name of nobility and denotes various royal families that ruled parts of Anatolia, Persia, and Iraq during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.

The variants of this surname include Akköyünlü, Ağköylü, Akkoyunluoglu, Akköyünlüoğlu, Ağköylüoğlu, Ağköylülü, Akköylüoğlu, Akköylülü, and Akkoyunlu.

The alternative spellings of this surname include Agkoyunlu, Agköylü, Agköyünlü, Aqköylü, Aqköyünlü, Akköylü, Akköyünlü, and Akköyünlüoğlu.

Common surnames in Turkey that have the same origin as Akkoyunlu are Aslan, Efendioğlu, and Sarıoğlu. Aslan is the Turkish word for lion and is frequently used as a reference to the Akkoyunlu dynasty. Efendioğlu is derived from the Turkish title “efendi”, which refers to a gentleman or a nobleman, and is thus a variation of Akkoyunlu. Sarıoğlu, on the other hand, is derived from “sarı”, which means blonde, and could also be traced back to the Akkoyunlu dynasty.

References:

- https://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Akkoyunlu

- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akkoyunlu

Famous people with the name Akkoyunlu

• Filiz Akkoyunlu: a Turkish actress and model.
• Anzelm Akkoyunlu: a Sufi and respected spiritual master from the 15th century.
• Özer Akkoyunlu: a Turkish footballer.
• Semih Akkoyunlu: a Turkish Olympic wrestler.
• Hüsrev Akkoyunlu: a 16th century Ottoman scholar and writer.
• İbrahim Akkoyunlu: a 17th century Ottoman scholar and diplomat.
• Selcan Akkoyunlu: a Turkish actress.
• Hayme Hatun Akkoyunlu: a 15th century Ottoman princess and daughter of Uzun Hasan.
• Murad Akkoyunlu: a 15th century Ottoman prince and son of Uzun Hasan.
• Seyit Akkoyunlu: a Turkish World War I hero.

Other surnames

Akkoyun