Surname Cankaya - Meaning and Origin
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Cankaya: What does the surname Cankaya mean?
The last name Cankaya is of Turkish origin and is believed to have originated in the area known as the Cankaya region-- an area located in the Sinop region of Northern Turkey. The root of the word Cankaya comes from the Turkish word "cankaya” which means “thorny tree”. This could be associated to the family having strong roots, or may indicate a family history of survival in harsh conditions.
The Greek translation of Cankaya is "trouble". This native surname was used centuries ago to distinguish families from other families of similar surnames. Consequently, various branches of the family may now be found scattered across the globe, particularly in Turkey, the United States, and parts of Europe. It may also be seen among Armenians, Turkish Jews, and other peoples living in Turkey.
The name Cankaya is most commonly thought to refer to families who have come from the Sinop province, a region known for its untamable beauty. It is also a region that is steeped in a rich history, its turquoise seas, dramatic mountain ranges, and a fascinating diversity of people. Similarly, the name Cankaya can be associated to a persons character traits, their strong-willed and determined natures.
It is very likely that members of the Cankaya family are direct descendants of generations of noble families living in Northern parts of Turkey centuries ago. It is a name of prestige, representing the strength and courage of those who bear it.
Order DNA origin analysisCankaya: Where does the name Cankaya come from?
The last name Cankaya is most common today in Turkey. The Cankaya surname has a royal history, as the details of the name are thought to derive from the word for a prince's crown. This family came to prominence in the Ottoman navy in the late 19th century, where notable admirals, such as Admiral Fahrettin Cankaya and Admiral Refet Cankaya, rose to positions of high rank and power.
The Cankaya surname has spread throughout the region due to migration and marriage. Many members of the Cankaya family now reside in other countries, such as the United States, German, and Australia, although there is still a significant population in Turkey. Cankaya can also be found in other Balkan countries like Albania, Greece, and Bulgaria.
Recent DNA testing shows that the Cankaya family are most closely related to Y-chromosomal haplogroups E1b and J2a, with the majority of the male population belonging to the E1b group. This indicates that the family's ancestry is mostly Middle Eastern in origin. While the exact origin of the family remains unknown, it is believed to be from an Anatolian population before the Ottoman Empire.
The Cankaya name is still prominent in Turkey today, particularly around the major cities. It is well known for its links to the Ottoman Navy and continues to be a popular name among the Turkish population.
Variations of the surname Cankaya
The surname Cankaya is of Turkish origin derived from the Turkish word, “Kan” which means “blood”. There are many variants and other spellings for this surname, as well as some other surnames with a similar meaning or origin.
Variants and other spellings of Cankaya can include Cankahya, Cankayah, Cankaya, Cingaya, Cankahia, Cangaya, Cangayah, and Chankaya.
Similar surnames of Cankaya which have a similar meaning or origin include Cankir, Cancar, Cancigit, and Cansecu.
Other surnames of similar origin include Cankurt, Canguven, and Cangurbuz.
Most of the variants and spellings of the surname Cankaya are also variations of the surname Cankir, which has almost the same meaning. This surname is derived from the combination of the words “kan” and “kir”, both of which have the same meaning, which is “blood” .
In conclusion, the surname Cankaya, as well as its many variants and other spelling are all of Turkish origin, directly stemming from the word “kan” which means blood. There are also similar origins for other surnames, such as Cankir, Cancar, and Cancigit.
Famous people with the name Cankaya
- Fahrettin Cankaya: Turkish Minister of Defense (1958: 1959).
- Cem Cankaya: a retired footballer who played as a striker.
- Gül Cankaya: a Turkish film and television actress.
- Altan Cankaya: Turkish singer, songwriter, and arranger.
- Sabri Cankaya: a former professional football player.
- Ahmet Cankaya: a Turkish businessman and entrepreneur.
- Recep Tayyip Erdogan: Turkish President and former Prime Minister, whose family adopted the surname Cankaya, which is a neighborhood of Ankara.
- Ali Cankaya: a Turkish international footballer as a defender.
- Bedri Cankaya: a Turkish Paralympic athlete who won bronze in the men’s 50m butterfly at the 2004 Summer Paralympic Games in Athens.
- Ismail Cankaya: a Turkish politician who served as the Prime Minister of Turkey from 1938 to 1939.