Surname Altiparmak - Meaning and Origin
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Altiparmak: What does the surname Altiparmak mean?
The last name Altiparmak is of Turkish origin and is derived from the words “Altı”, which means “six”, and “Parmak”, which literally translates to “finger” but is used commonly to mean “flags” or “banners”. Put together, the name Altiparmak roughly translates to “six banners” or “six flags".
This name is usually given to families who have a sense of pride and loyalty to their nation and their heritage. The term “Altiparmak” originally came from the words of famous Turkish poet and philosopher Yunus Emre, who wrote a poem containing the verse 'Kalbim de altıparmaktır, hep ayazda duruyor' which translates to 'My heart is an Altiparmak (six banners), it stands in the cold’. This poem is about the poet’s loyalty to his country, even in the coldest of times.
This verse likely inspired the use of the name Altiparmak as a surname, and would lead to Altiparmak families becoming symbols of patriotism in the Ottoman Empire. As an ancient Turkish surname, Altiparmak is still used today by some Turkish-speaking families around the world and it is a great source of pride for families who carry the name.
Order DNA origin analysisAltiparmak: Where does the name Altiparmak come from?
The last name Altiparmak is most commonly found in the Anatolian region of Turkey. It is a Turkic name which means 'eminent mountain top' and is believed to have originated from the central Turkish city of Konya. Reputed to have been adopted by Oghuz Turks during their migration from Central Asia to Anatolia, the Altiparmak name spread throughout the region. It is particularly common in northwest and central Anatolia, such as the provinces of Ankara, Konya and Kırşehir, which were historically inhabited by Oghuz and Anatolian Turkish people.
Today, there are several thousands of individuals bearing the Altiparmak surname in Turkey alone. In more recent times, Altiparmaks have also been found in countries with significant Turkish populations such as Germany, Canada and the United States. A notable example is general staff Colonel Ahmet Altiparmak, a prominent member of the Turkish Armed Forces and distinguished military officer.
The Altiparmak surname remains connected to the Anatolian region and reflects its rich culture and ethnic diversity. The name is a reminder of the historical Turkish migration from Central Asia which has shaped the region's cultural identity and left an important legacy. It is a symbol of the strength and perseverance of the Oghuz Turks and of the Turkish people at large who have left their mark on Anatolia and continue to make a lasting impression around the world.
Variations of the surname Altiparmak
Altiparmak is an uncommon Turkish surname. It is derived from the Altı kayi, a form of a tribal social structure of the Oghuz Turks. The most common variants include Altinpar, Aliparmak, Altinparmak, Altiparmak, Altinparmak, Altyparizmak and Allyparmak.
The Aliparmak spelling is mostly found in western Turkey, while the variants Altyparizmak and Allyparmak, which involve the dropping of one or two letters, is quite common in Azerbaijan and Iraq.
The most common Turkic surnames are based on patronyms – names derived from a male ancestor. However, Altiparmak is based on a place name or a tribal name rather than on a male ancestor. This is why the variation found in the spelling of the surname Altiparmak is so diverse.
The surname Altiparmak may also have been formed by its bearers from the expression ‘Altin parmak’, which translates to ‘golden finger’ in Turkish. This is an expression often used to denote someone who has an extraordinary ability or skill, such as a craftsperson or one who is an expert in medicine.
The name is also sometimes translated into other languages, such as Urdu and Afghan Persian, as ‘Aliparvizmak’. In this way the surname has been used to denote someone with a skill or exceptional ability, such as a doctor or surgeon.
Finally, it is possible for surnames that originate from the Alti kayi social structure to be combined and form a surname with multiple derivations. For example a combination of Altiparmak and Allyparmak would form the surname Alti-Aliparmak, and so on.
Famous people with the name Altiparmak
- Mahmut Altiparmak: Turkish lawyer and civil society activist who has been highly involved in the struggle for human rights in Turkey.
- Erkan Altiparmak: Turkish poet and translator.
- Gun forslt Altiparmak: Turkish singer and actress.
- Canan Altiparmak: Turkish TV presenter and journalist.
- Kadir Altiparmak: Turkish politician and former mayor of Adana.
- Demet Altiparmak: Turkish campaign organizer at Amnesty International.
- Begum Altiparmak: Turkish women's rights activist.
- Yalcin Altiparmak: Turkish artist and designer.
- Talha Altiparmak: Turkish basketball player.
- Omer Altiparmak: Turkish politician.
- Ahmet Altiparmak: Turkish footballer.
- Neslihan Altiparmak: Turkish sand artist and sculptress.
- Yusuf Altiparmak: Turkish actor.