Surname Köprülü - Meaning and Origin
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Köprülü: What does the surname Köprülü mean?
The last name Köprülü is an old Turkish family name stemming from its founding family, the Köprülüs, who were among the most prominent and influential families of the Ottoman Empire. In Turkish, the word Köprülü literally translates to "bridge-maker" or "bridge-builder" and carries the connotation of a people who build bridges between different cultures, philosophies, and perspectives.
The family traces its history back to the 14th century under the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Murat IV, where it is believed the Köprülü family first settled in Bayburt, Constantinople. From there, the family prospered and rose to become one of the most influential and powerful families of the Ottoman Empire. They served as governors and diplomats, and two brothers of the Köprülü family, Köprülü Mehmet Paşa and Köprülü Yusuf Paşa, rose to become the Grand Viziers of the Ottoman Empire, the highest ranking government position in the Ottoman Empire.
The legacy of the Köprülü family has survived through the centuries and remains a strong symbol of bridge-building and intercultural understanding. Even today, people with the surname Köprülü are seen as symbols of intercultural dialogue and cooperation in Turkey.
Order DNA origin analysisKöprülü: Where does the name Köprülü come from?
The last name Köprülü is most commonly found in the Anatolia region of Turkey, concentrated mostly in cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. The name Köprülü dates back many centuries, tracing its roots to the Seljuk Empire of the 11th century. The eponymous Köprülü family rose to prominence in the 17th century when they were appointed as Grand Viziers of the Ottoman Empire.
This influential family made great accomplishments in both the military and political arenas, with multiple members being named Grand Viziers or rising to the rank of Pasha. The name Köprülü is officially recognized by the government of the Republic of Turkey in the list of surnames. Despite this, the name has spread throughout the world, primarily from emigrants in search of new opportunities.
The widespread presence of the name Köprülü can be found in Western Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Australia. The diaspora of the Köprülü family is helped by their organizational structure, with various branches of the family being renown worldwide.
The Köprülü name is still carried with pride and reverence by many descendants of the original family. The Köprülü name continues to represent a powerful and influential heritage, with success often attributed to the legacy passed down through family members.
Variations of the surname Köprülü
The surname Köprülü is a Turkish surname which can be spelled as "Köprülu" in some instances. Common variants and alternate spellings for Köprülü are “Koprulu,” “Kopruzade,” “Koprululu,” and “Koprucoglu.” The surname is derived from Turkish words "köprü/geçit" meaning "bridge/crossroads."
Köprülü is the root of a large family arguably most famous for its leading politician, Fuat Köprülü who was the Prime Minister of Turkey from 1920 to 1922 and again from 1924 to 1925.
The Köprülü family are believed to originally stem from Erzurum, a province in Eastern Anatolia. The family were prominent during the Ottoman era due to their service in politics, military and to the sultan himself.
The variants and surnames of the same origin allow for many members of the Köprülü family to easily recognize one another. This shared surname is a common trait in Ottoman dynasties and some of their descendants still use their traditional surname today.
Other surnames in the Köprülü family include: Koçulu, Koç, Gazioglu, Kettaneh, Alibeyoğlu, Karacaoglan, Sesli, Sahin, Ercan, Binark, Aşan, Mahmutoğlu, Gezici, San, Parmaksizoglu, Bolukbaş, Sarıoğlu, İmamoğlu, Yağmur, Gürbüz, and Yaşar.
The Köprülü family is a well known and connected family in Turkey and beyond. The various spellings and variants along with their recognizable family name, have allowed them to be easily identified by members both new and old.
Famous people with the name Köprülü
- Köprülü Mehmed Pasha, a 17th-century Ottoman statesman, grand vizier and military commander.
- Köprülü Fazıl Ahmed Pasha, a 17th-century Ottoman Grand Vizier and poet.
- Murat Köprülü Pasha, a 14th-century Ottoman Grand Vizier and military commander.
- Ahmet Köprülüzade, a 19th-century Ottoman statesman and scholar.
- Mehmed Akif Köprülü, a 19th-century Ottoman historian and intellectual.
- Yavuz Köprülü, a 20th-century Turkish sculptor and painter.
- Neşet Köprülü, a 20th-century Turkish politician and professor of law.
- Rahmi Köprülü, a 20th-century Turkish novelist and playwright.
- Halil Köprülü, a 20th-century Turkish film and television actor.
- Gülşah Köprülü, a 21st-century Turkish actress.