Surname Bekci - Meaning and Origin
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Bekci: What does the surname Bekci mean?
The last name Bekci is believed to have originated from Turkey and is a surname of Ottoman and Turkish culture. The root of this surname is derived from the old Turkish word “bek,” which means “guardian” or “protector.” Therefore, the surname Bekci generally translates to “guardian of something” or a “protector.”
Bekci is not only a common last name among people with Turkish heritage, but it is also sometimes used by those of other ethnic backgrounds. For example, during the Ottoman period, people used Turkish surnames, regardless of their background, to demonstrate their loyalty and allegiance to the ruling Empire. However, with the spread of Islam, many Middle Easterners have adopted the Bekci surname as it pays homage to the legacy of the Ottoman Empire.
The surname Bekci is also commonly found in Balkan countries such as Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia. Over the span of centuries, this surname has spread to various nations including Greece, Georgia, Russia, and even Kazakhstan.
Traditionally, those who carried the surname Bekci were the members of the guard in court. They were trained to protect the Sultan and were expected to stay loyal to the Ottoman Empire until the very end. To this day, the legacy of the protectors is honored by those who bear their surname.
Order DNA origin analysisBekci: Where does the name Bekci come from?
The last name Bekci is most commonly found today across parts of Europe and western Asia. It is especially prevalent in regions of Turkey, where it is among the 200 most common surnames in the country. It is also prevalent among Turkish diaspora populations in Europe, Canada, and the United States.
The name Bekci is an occupational surname, derived from a person's profession or place of origin. It is derived from the Turkish word “bekçi”, meaning “watchman” or “guard”. It often appears in records connected with the role of a guardian of the palace, and sometimes also with the function of a minstrel at court.
In Turkey, Bekci is likely to have first been used as a hereditary name by families living in the vicinity of the large Ottoman palaces. During the Ottoman period, court officials and dignitaries would often be given surnames by the ruling Sultan. These courtly burdens slowly spread outward and were adopted by families living in neighboring regions.
The name Bekci has since spread to other parts of the world through Turkish migration, especially to Europe, North America, Australia, and South America. It is now used by many families who are part of the Turkish diaspora, and a further dispersal of the name has occurred through their descendants.
Variations of the surname Bekci
The surname Bekci can have multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The most common variants of the name are Bekçi, Bekji, Beyji, and Bek cuban. This is in part due to the universality of the name, which is shared by many different languages and cultures. In Turkey, the name Bekci is often spelled as Beycı or Bekcü. In Ukraine, the spelling is most commonly Bețci.
Other spellings and surnames of the same origin include Bęcki, Beksi, Beyk, Beyki, Beci, Becu, and Beca.
In the United States, the name Bekci may also be spelled as Beckey, Beccy, Beckee, Beckee, Becke, Beckers, Beckett, Beckett-Akley or Becke-Delacruz.
In Europe, the name may also be spelled as Becks, Beckes, Becksen, Beckett, Beckman, Beckmann, Beke, Beker, Beker-Janssen, Bekeren, Bekers, Bekkering, Bekkers, Bekkershoff, Bekkink, Bekker-Blau, Beke-Zuidema and Bekkic.
In Italy, the name Bekci may also be spelled as Becchia, Becchi, Becchino, Becchi-Stacchi, Becchini, Beccius or Becle.
In the Netherlands, the name may also be spelled as Bikket, Bekke, Bekking, Beek, Bekemeier or Bekkemaker.
Overall, the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Bekci are many and varied. The various spellings reflect cultural and regional differences, as well as foreign languages. Despite this great variation and diversity, the name remains relatively consistent across the world.
Famous people with the name Bekci
- Halil Mete Bekci: Turkish lawyer and member of the Grand National Assembly.
- Kevin Bekci: French professional footballer.
- Ramazan Bekci: Turkish football manager.
- Cuneyt Bekci: Turkish-German filmmaker and musician.
- Mert Bekci: Former Turkish footballer.
- Hazar Bekci: Turkish-German journalist.
- Murat Bekci: Turkish-German fashion photographer and graphic designer.
- Asli Bekci: Turkish businesswoman and former beauty queen.
- Ömer Bekci: Former Turkish footballer.
- Atahan Bekci: Turkish actor and director.