Surname Atasoy - Meaning and Origin
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Atasoy: What does the surname Atasoy mean?
The last name Atasoy is derived from a Turkish and/or Arabic origin. It is believed to have originated from the Turkish word ata, which means 'forefather', and soydur, which means 'descent from'. This modern family name is a reference to the male ancestors of a certain family line, founding fathers, or, more specifically, to a particular ancestral leader figure whose name is no longer known.
Atasoy is often linked to the region of Turkish Kurdistan. This region was settled by the Kurds and then later by the Turks three hundred years ago. As such, Atasoy is a surname which is widely found in both Turkish and Kurdish families. It is also common in Anatolia in Turkey where the name is frequently found among Kurdish and Turkish families.
Atasoy can also possibly indicate that the people with this surname are descended from a certain person of importance, elite, or royalty from centuries ago or that the people with this surname come from a certain geographical location.
Ultimately, the meaning of the last name Atasoy is up to interpretation. Some families have kept records of their origins but the exact meaning may never be known for certain.
Order DNA origin analysisAtasoy: Where does the name Atasoy come from?
The last name Atasoy is a common one today mainly in Turkey and other parts of the Middle East, though its presence can be felt in several other parts of the world as well. Atasoy is of Turkish origin and the meaning of the name is "kind father".
Atasoy is a patronymic name derived from the personal name Ata, which is Turkish for "Father". This was a common name used in the Ottoman Empire in the 17th century and beyond, and is still used today. It is typically a given name in parts of Turkey, Cyprus, and other Turkish-speaking countries such as Azerbaijan.
Outside of the Middle East, the last name Atasoy can be found in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and even the U.K. It is believed that Turkish migrants brought the name with them when they immigrated to these countries, though it is not commonly found in the original-Turkish form. In English-speaking countries, Atasoy is sometimes spelled Atashoy. This is likely due to Anglicization of the name as it was not typically used in these countries prior to immigration from the Middle East.
Atasoy is currently the 89th most common surname in Turkey and listed as the 4498th most common surname in the U.S. The name continues to be passed down from generation to generation, keeping the name alive and popular today.
Variations of the surname Atasoy
Atasoy is a patronymic surname of Turkish origin. It is generally spelled Ataşoğlu or Ataşoğulları in its native language. Common variants and spellings include Ehteashoghlu, Ateşoğlu, Ataşogulları, Atashoghloo, and Atashoghlou.
The surname Atasoy derives from the Turkish word "ataş" meaning "an arrow", suggesting the family name is related to the use of arrows or archery. In some cases, the surname has been known to refer to a direct descendant of one of the founder prophets of the Turkish people.
A number of other surnames originating from the same Turkish root word "ataş" are also known. These include Ataşoğul, Ataşoğlu, Atay, Atayoğlu, Yataşoğlu, Yatlıoğlu, and Yeşilataş. Some of them are also connected to the initial family name, Atasoy.
Similar surnames coming from other parts of Turkic and Islamic culture include Atassi and Atasoyan from Middle Eastern communities, Atasayev from Russia and Central Asia, Atashe from Iran, and Atashv and Atashly from Azerbaijan.
In addition, Atasoy is occasionally found as a given name, as well as an alternative spelling in other languages, such as Attasay and Attasou in French and ATASȌY in Romanian.
Famous people with the name Atasoy
- Mert Atasoy: He is a Turkish midfielder who currently plays for Ankaragücü.
- Yusuf Atasoy: He is a Turkish film producer and director, notable for his works in Yeşilçam films.
- İlber Ortaylı: He is a Turkish historian, academic and television presenter, known for his works on Ottoman Empire.
- Mustafa Atasoy: He is a landscape architect and author who won the European Landscape Prize in 2008.
- Talip Atasoy: He was a Turkish footballer and coach of Mersin Idmanyurdu.
- Aysen Atasoy: She is a Turkish actress and producer, best known for her roles in films and television series.
- Cebrail Atasoy: He is a Turkish violinist and musicologist, seen as one of the leading figures of classical music in the country.
- Taner Atasoy: He is a Turkish-American astrophysicist and professor of astronomy, known for his research on star formation and extra-solar planets.
- Haluk Atasoy: He is a Turkish-born American news anchor, currently working for the FOX network.
- Kerim Atasoy: He is a Turkish opera singer and music professor, currently teaching at the Atatürk University.