Surname Kovacevic - Meaning and Origin

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Q. Kovacevic

Kovacevic: What does the surname Kovacevic mean?

The last name Kovacevic is a common surname among the South Slavic people, originating from the Slavic language and culture. It is derived from the Slavic personal name Kovace, which is based on the Slavic word kovač, meaning “smith” or “metalworker.” This is similar to the name Kovac in other languages, such as Russian. Therefore, Kovacevic could literally mean “son of the smith.”

The name likely originated in medieval Serbia, where people of the same family or profession would often use the same name. These names were based on the family’s profession, such as the last name Kovacevic. Through the centuries, the use of these names spread to other countries as a popular tradition, including Croatia and Bosnia.

Kovacevic is also seen as a name of honor and is often associated with nobility or leadership. For example, on the island of Korčula, Croatia, the bull rings of the small towns proudly display the name Kovacevic in recognition of the smiths who there used to forge horses and bulls used in the many bull fights.

Finally, today in many countries, the Kovacevic name is carried by numerous families in various forms, such as Kovačević, Kovačec, Kovačevič, Kovačevski, Kovačevšek and more.

Kovacevic: Where does the name Kovacevic come from?

The surname Kovacevic is a common surname today primarily in the countries of the former Yugoslavia. It is a patronymic surname which means it is based on the given name of the father and is very common in countries that were formerly a part of Yugoslavia. People usually take the fathers given name and attach "ovic/evic" at the end, making the father's name the basis of the surname.

The surname Kovacevic is believed to have originated in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia. It has also been found in several other countries across Europe, including Austria and Germany. It is also common in the United States, Canada, and Australia, where people from former Yugoslav countries emigrated in the late 20th century.

Kovacevic is also a popular surname in parts of South America, such as Argentina, Chile, and Brazil as well. These families most likely descended from Yugoslavian immigrants who moved to South America in the early 20th century.

In general, Kovacevic is most prominent in parts of Europe, North America, South America, and Australia. The surname is most commonly associated with people of Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian ancestry. In the United States, it is the 1712th most common surname according to the 2000 US Census.

Variations of the surname Kovacevic

Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin as Kovacevic include Kovacevich, Kovacevitch, Kovacic, Kovacich, Kovačević, Kovačić, Kovačević, Kováčevič, Kovacik, Kovachyk, and Kovachych.

The surname Kovacevic has a long and storied history in the Balkans and southeastern Europe, originating in what is now modern-day Croatia. Its suffix (-evic) denotes a connection to a father figure or a noble, suggesting the surname was likely first used by families of the nobility.

It is thought that the surname may have originated from the root words “kovati” or “kovač”, which mean—quite literally—”forging” or “blacksmith” in Serbian. This could suggest that the first families to use the surname had some relation to the crafting of metal goods. Alternatively, it could also be derived from the verb “kovati” which means “to bark”, suggesting a connection to shepherding or farming. Ultimately, the etymology of Kovacevic remains somewhat of a mystery, though its variants have been recorded in records dating as far back as the early 16th century.

Kovacevic is an incredibly common surname in the lands of the former Yugoslavia, particularly those of Serbia and Croatia. It is also a popular surname in Europe, particularly in Germany, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Ukraine. It is not, however, as common in other countries around the world.

Famous people with the name Kovacevic

• Miralem Pjanić: Bosnian professional footballer.
• Dragan Kovacevic: Serbian international footballer.
• Boban Kovacevic: former Serbian international footballer and currently a coach.
• Slobodan Kovacevic: Serbian-Croatian writer, theologian and archbishop.
• Milan Kovacevic: former Yugoslavian football player.
• Nenad Kovacevic: Serbian historian specializing in medieval Serbia.
• Viktor Kovacevic: Serbian football coach.
• Goran Kovacevic: Swiss professional football goalkeeper.
• Jelena Kovacevic: Serbian singer and pop-rock/electro-pop artist.
• Dejan Kovacevic: Serbian ice hockey player.
• Petar Kovacevic: Montenegrin contemporary sculptor.
• Zorana Kovacevic: Serbian sprint athlete.
• Tijana Kovacevic: Serbian tennis player.
• Jelena Kovacevic: Serbian singer.
• Djurdje Kovacevic: Macedonian basketball and football player.
• Milovan Kovacevic: Serbian actor.
• Marko Kovacevic: Serbian volleyball player.
• Aleksandra Kovacevic: Serbian volleyball player.
• Nemanja Kovacevic: Serbian singer.
• Branko Kovacevic: former Yugoslav football player.

Other surnames

Kovacev