Surname Kolcu - Meaning and Origin
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Kolcu: What does the surname Kolcu mean?
The last name Kolcu is believed to have originated from the Turkish and Ottoman Turkish word 'kolcu', which translates to 'army man' or 'warrior'. It is likely that the name is occupational, being associated with a person of either noble or military background. Generally, it is common for the name to be found in regions of Turkey, Bosnia, Albania, and Romania.
Beyond its use in a military context, being designated to those of the armed forces, it's commonly known that the name Kolcu was given to those involved in hunting. Such activities were rooted in the traditional cultures of the aforementioned countries, and presented an opportunity for a wide array of individuals to be identified with the Kolcu name.
The Turkish surname Kolcu can also be Armenian and Greek in origin. It was not uncommon for those of different ethnic backgrounds to adopt similar-sounding surnames prior to the establishment of contemporary nation states. As is evident in modern-day Turkey, there is a healthy combination of the Turkish, Armenian, and Greek cultures, with members of these communities being historically associated with the surname Kolcu.
Ultimately, the Kolcu surname is varied in definition and source; what remains consistent is that it has a fundamental tie to the cultures and lifestyles of the above-mentioned nations. The appropriation of the surnames Kolcu by members of different cultures conveys a commitment to creating a unified identity in a multicultural context.
Order DNA origin analysisKolcu: Where does the name Kolcu come from?
The last name Kolcu is commonly found in Turkey today. It is mostly a masculine surname, although some women in Turkey sometimes descendants of families bearing this surname still retain the suffixes -oglu or -ci and use the name accordingly.
Turkey is a historically diverse nation with historical connections to Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Caucasian, and European countries, which explains why the surname Kolcu is more common among Turkish people than in other countries. A widespread tradition in the country is to trace family origins to a distant ancestor, which can be explained why the surname is so widespread within Turkey.
Kolcu is also found in much smaller numbers in other parts of the world, including the USA, Germany, and Australia. Some people with this surname may have taken the name from Turkish immigrants who came to these countries in the 19th or 20th centuries, while others may have adopted it as an adoption name.
The original meaning of the surname is thought to derived from the Turkish word "Kol", which means "Colonel". As such, the surname Kolcu could potentially point to nobility or a high social standing in an ancient Turkish family.
Overall, the surname Kolcu is highly associated with Turkish ancestry, and is most commonly found within Turkey itself.
Variations of the surname Kolcu
The surname Kolcu is believed to have its roots in central Europe, most likely in Hungary, and some sources also list Slovakia.
The surname has several variants, spellings, and related surnames, all of which have similar origins and meanings. Some of the common spelling variations of the surname Kolcu include Kolcun, Kolchun, Kolec, Kolicz, Kolcz, Kolczu, Kaltso, Kaltsoi, Kaltzou, Kolc, Koldso, and Kolcho.
The related surnames Koltai and Gonczi are believed to be derived from Kolcu, and have similar meanings and origins. Koltai, which was also variously spelled as Keltai, Koltz, and Koltsoi, is believed to have originated in Hungary. Gonczi is another spelling variation of the Kolcu surname and was commonly found in the Hungarian census records from the 1800s.
Several spellings of the surname Kolcu have also developed over time in other countries. In Poland, the spelling of Kolcu is Kulec; in Slovakia it is Koltso; in Romania it is Goltso and in Ukraine it is Kaltsu.
In the United States, a number of people of European ancestry have adopted variations of the Kolcu surname and adopted Americanized forms such as Colecu, Kolec, Colego, Kolzc, Koltz, and Kolez.
The surname Kolcu is a distinctive and interesting name, and its many different variants and spellings are evidence of its complexity. Whether it is spelled Kolcu, Koltai, or Silveri, all of these surnames are derived from the same roots and have the same meanings.
Famous people with the name Kolcu
- Ali Kolcu: Turkish footballer who currently plays for Adana Demirspor.
- Erol Kolcu: Turkish sculptor and painter, known for his works in marble and bronze.
- Müjdat Kolcu: Turkish engineer and the former President of Bozok University.
- Seyhan Kolcu: Turkish singer-songwriter.
- Tufan Kolcu: Turkish footballer who plays as a right winger for Adana Demirspor.
- Oktay Kolcu: Turkish speed skater.
- Ahmet Kolcu: Turkish professional boxer who competed in the middleweight division.
- Memet Kolcu: Turkish actor and film director, known for his feature film “Koran”.
- Gaye Kolcu: Turkish actress, known for her roles in “Feast of Fury” and “The Scythe”.
- Kubilay Kolcu: Turkish sculptor, known for his studies on the Human Figure.