Surname Kostic - Meaning and Origin

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Determined to dig deep into their lineage, the writer embarks on a poignant journey with iGENEA. Through self-discovery, curiosity, and suspense, they develop a newfound respect for their family name, Kostic, paving the way for a personal metamorphosis.

K. Kostic

Kostic: What does the surname Kostic mean?

The surname Kostic is of Slavonic origin, and likely first developed as a topographic name for someone who lived near a small creek. It could also have developed from the personal name Kosit or Kot, found in the region. Recordings of the surname date back to the late 16th century, in what is now Croatia. This suggests Kostic is an ancient surname, of considerable longevity.

It is likely that the early use of the surname was to differentiate between individuals or families who lived close to one another. In this sense, the surname could be considered a traditional Croatian name. The name itself is believed to derive from the word kostic, meaning 'miniature creek' when translated into English.

Kostic is a significant surname for Croatia. It is the largest surname in Croatia, with an estimated 49,000 people bearing the name. It is a popular surname in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and the United States.

The Kostic surname has inspired a number of expressive phrases in Croatia, including “Every Kostic his blackberry”, which is a reference to being independent or getting things done on one's own. It is also used to denote someone from a ‘noble’ or ‘elite’ family.

In other words, the Kostic surname is steeped in local pride and tradition, and continues to be one of the most widely used surnames in Croatia. It is a lasting testament to a nation that is proud of its history and culture.

Kostic: Where does the name Kostic come from?

The last name Kostic is most commonly found in Southeast Europe today, specifically the countries of Serbia, Montenegro, and Croatia. It is believed to have started as a toponymic surname derived from a place of origin, although the exact location is unknown. Although it is now much more dispersed, the Kostic surname still has a strong presence in the Balkans and is found particularly in the regions of: Central Serbia, Vojvodina, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and possibly Slovenia as well.

In Serbia, the highest concentration of the Kostic surname is found in the Belgrade region; in Montenegro, it is found mainly in the northern part of the country; and in Croatia, it is found primarily in the Karlovac and Sisak-Moslavina counties. It is also found in some other parts of Europe, particularly in Germany, the United States, Canada, and Australia, however the number of family members with that surname in these countries is comparatively small.

The most remains split between the countries of origin, with a good distribution and concentration in all areas. Although now scattered in other regions, the vast majority of the Kostic family still resides in the Balkans.

Variations of the surname Kostic

The surname Kostic is a South Slavic derivation of the word for blacksmith (kovač). It is common in Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and also found among the Sorbs of Germany, the Slovenes of Austria, and throughout the diaspora. There are several variants of the name, detailed below:

Kostic

Kostić

Kostich

Kostych

Kosta

Kostova

Kostow

Kostowy

Kostovych

Kostovski

Kostovska

Kochtitzky

Kochtitzki

Kochtitzka

Kostyszyn

Kostyshyn

Kostyshina

Kotyshyn

Kotyshina

Kosticheski

Kosticheska

Kostynska

Kostynske

Kostyniak

Kostiala

Kostialo

Kostialka

Kostiale

Kostichenka

Kostandoff

Kostandov

Kostanov

Kostan

Kostaška

Kostyk

Kostyuk

Kostecka

Kosicki.

The surname is also particularly common among Sorbs, a Slavic minority living in the regions around Berlin and Leipzig in Germany, and so it can also be found in various Germanic variants such as Kossitzky, Kostzke, and Kossitzke.

The exact same name can also be found in Belarus and Poland, with variants such as Kotyshyn, and throughout Ukraine, Russia, and the diaspora at large, where it is often spelled Kostyuk.

The Kostic surname is a testament to the interconnectedness of the Slavic diaspora. It has crossed borders and adapted itself to nearby languages. As a south Slavic derivation of the word ‘black smith’, it shows the importance of this craft throughout the regions in which it is found, and its variations reflect its journey through history and the influence of different languages and regions.

Famous people with the name Kostic

• Aleksandar Kostic, Serbian professional footballer
• Vladimir Kostic, Serbian actor
• Jovana Kostic, Serbian actress
• Nikola Kostic, Serbian professional basketball player
• Milos Kostic, Serbian actor
• Vasko Kostic, Montenegrin professional tennis player
• Nebojsa Kostic, Serbian former wrestler
• Milenko Kostic, Serbian former footballer
• Mladen Kostic, Serbian professional footballer
• Dejan Kostic, Serbian professional footballer
• Slobodan Kostic, Serbian former middle distance runner
• Ivana Kostic, Serbian former professional basketball player
• Tijana Kostic, Serbian professional basketball player
• Nikola Kostic, Serbian former football manager
• Jelena Kostic, Serbian soprano
• Vinko Kostic, Serbian sculptor
• Jelisaveta Kostic, Serbian serial entrepreneur
• Bojan Kostic, Serbian author
• Filip Kostic, Serbian entrepreneur
• Nenad Kostic, Serbian music producer

Other surnames

KostiainenKostiuk