Surname Melik - Meaning and Origin
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Melik: What does the surname Melik mean?
The last name Melik is of Armenian origin and is derived from the Armenian melik, meaning “king.” It is thought to have been originally given to people of royal or noble rank or those with the authority of a king. In Armenia, it was used to denote members of high society. The Meliks were hereditary rulers and members of the nobility in medieval Armenia.
Throughout history, the Melik family has been associated with strong leadership and patriotism. It is believed that the early Melik family patriarchs served as military leaders, defending their lands from invaders. During various periods of Armenian history, the Melik family has provided sustenance to their people, providing them with food, shelter and security.
Today, the Melik family are found in Armenia, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine, as well as in the diaspora. The Meliks are well-respected and hold prominent positions in Armenian society. Many are involved in politics, business, and the arts. The Melik family name represents a proud legacy of strength, perseverance, and courage.
Order DNA origin analysisMelik: Where does the name Melik come from?
The last name Melik is most common today in the former Soviet republics, primarily in the southeastern part of Central Asia. It is found in a number of countries in the region, such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. In addition, there are smaller populations of Meliks in Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, and Moldova.
The origin of the Melik surname is believed to be linked to an ancient tribe of Turkic-speaking nomads that settled in the region. This would tie the Melik name to a Turkic-speaking group that is now likely dispersed throughout Central Asia.
The modern-day spelling of the surname also appears to derive from the Persian word "Malik," which means "king" or "ruler." This suggests that the Melik family likely stems from a lineage of rulers or those of noble descent. The status and wealth of this ancient family would have allowed them to pass their name down through generations, leading to its continued usage as a family name today.
Although Melik is not a particularly common surname in North America and Europe, the name is quite popular in the countries of the former Soviet Union, particularly in Central Asia. There are likely millions of people who identify themselves as Meliks in the region, many of whom take great pride in their surname’s noble roots.
Variations of the surname Melik
The surname Melik is of Armenian origin and is derived from the Ottoman Turkish language. The variants include titles such as Malik, Melik, Məlik, Melekh, Meligh, Meliq, and Malch. Spellings may also be derived from Armenian name combining such as Melekyan, Melikyan, Meliqyan, and Malchyan.
Surnames with the same origin include Malchian, Malker, Maleki, Malikian, Melkonian, Melkonyan, Malchian, Meleklian, M aware, Melmagh, Melchian, and Melch. These names are more commonly found in Armenian, Turkish, and Persian cultures. Common Armenian derivations of Melik are related to the term Meliksah or Melik Sah, which means ‘king’ in Armenian.
In areas of former Turkish rule, titles such as Malik and Melik were given to important people, including local rulers. Due to its derivation from Turkish-Armenian rule, the surname Melik is also found in other countries, such as Iran, Syria, and Iraq. In some instances, the term Malik may be understood as a reference to faith where it is used to refer to ‘one who serves Allah’.
Famous people with the name Melik
- Jacques Melik:Actor
- Mark Melik:Politician
- Kenan Melik:Writer
- Jean-Marie Melik:Musician
- André Melik:Professional Skateboarder
- Armagan Melik:Artist
- Denis Melik:Olympian
- Manou Melik:Professional Footballer
- William Melik:Philanthropist
- Peter Melik:Cyclist