Surname Öksüz - Meaning and Origin

Öksüz: What does the surname Öksüz mean?

The last name Öksüz is an occupational surname originating in Turkey. It is derived from the Turkish word "öksüz," which means "orphan." The name was adopted by families who worked and provided assistance to Turkish orphans, signaling their status and contribution to society.

In Turkish culture, the name "öksüz" became associated with a person (or family) who adopted an orphaned child into their own family and provided sustenance for them. This practice of taking in and caring for orphaned children was seen as an act of charity, and anyone with the last name was regarded with great respect and appreciation. As a result, the surname "Öksüz" became synonymous with providing for the vulnerable and offering help to those in need.

The name is also found in some other cultures due to migration and population movement. Families in the Balkans, Middle East, and Central Asia also use this surname for the same reasons.

Today, the name "Öksüz" is still widely recognized by those with Turkish heritage and is viewed as a mark of generosity and honor. Those who bear the name are often held in high esteem and seen as having an altruistic character. Additionally, the name serves as a reminder of an important part of Turkish culture, which is to take in and care for those in need.

Öksüz: Where does the name Öksüz come from?

The last name Öksüz is an old, traditional Turkish name, and was commonly found throughout Turkey in the past. It has now spread to other countries that have a large population of citizens of Turkish origin, such as Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia.

In Germany, due to mass migration of Turkish citizens in the 1960s and 1970s, Öksüz has become one of the most common surnames associated with the Turkish-German ethnic group. Meanwhile in France, the community of people with the surname is growing in numbers, especially in larger cities such as Paris.

Belgium is home to many people of Turkish origin, and as such the Öksüz surname is quite prominent in the country, particularly in the northern regions of Antwerp and Flanders. In the United Kingdom, the name can also be found in certain areas with a prominent Turkish population, such as London.

In North America, the surname is relatively rare, however it can be found in larger cities of the United States, such as New York and Los Angeles, and in certain regions of Canada, particularly in Toronto and Vancouver. In Australia, Öksüz is a common last name among the Turkish population, particularly in larger cities such as Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra.

Overall, the surname Öksüz is still quite common today, particularly in countries where there is a large population of people with Turkish origins, which is why it can be found across Europe, North America, and Australia.

Variations of the surname Öksüz

The surname Öksüz has a wide variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The Turkish word “öksüz” is composed of two parts: “ök” meaning “deep”, and “süz” meaning “without”. This makes the word literally translate to “without deepness”, referring to someone who is shallow or fickle in nature.

The most common variants and spellings of this surname are Oksuz and Oksoz. Besides this, a variety of other surnames of the same origin exist such as Oksuzen, Oksoy, Aksoy, Iksoy, Oksuzenci, Oksuzoglu, and Oksudun.

The surnames of the same origin are said to have descended from the Aksoy family in east Anatolia. It is believed that some members of the Aksoy family in the 16th century had children that adopted the surname Öksüz instead of Aksoy, to distinguish themselves from the rest of the Aksoy family.

Throughout the centuries, the Aksoy family began to dwindle in numbers and some members adopted surnames related to the words “öksüz” or “without” to signify their connection to the original Aksoy family.

Although not all of the surnames related to “öksüz” share a common origin, the majority of them are believed to have some connection to the Aksoy family in the 16th century. Despite the wide range of surnames related to the word “öksüz”, they are still relatively rare in Turkey compared to the more common Turkish surnames.

Famous people with the name Öksüz

• Hakan Öksüz: Turkish actor best known for his role in the 2010 drama film "Kelebeğin Rüyası" (The Butterfly's Dream).
• Muhammet Öksüz: Turkish football (soccer) manager. Currently works as the U17 team coach for Istanbul Başakşehir.
• Necati Öksüz: Turkish high school teacher and writer. Author of numerous novels and short stories, such as "My Imagined Religion".
• Oğuzhan Öksüz: Turkish film director, screenwriter and producer. His films "Minik Serçe", "Hababam Sınıfı Uyanıyor" and "Gurbette Tek Başına" have been popular around the world.
• Ali Öksüz: Turkish Olympic athlete who competed in the 400m and 800m track events. He won medals on numerous occasions at the Balkan and Mediterranean Games.
• Neyir Öksüz: Turkish weightlifter and winner of the 2000 European Weightlifting Championship.
• Süleyman Öksüz: Turkish scientist and professor emeritus of materials science and engineering at the Middle East Technical University in Ankara. His researches focus on the development of advanced materials for industrial applications.
• Adnan Öksüz: Turkish astronomer who is best known for his discovery of the supernova "SN 1994D" in 1997.
• Hatice Öksüz: Turkish journalist and media strategist. She is currently serving as the lead editor for the Turkish daily newspaper "Cumhuriyet" in Istanbul.

Other surnames

Öksüzoglu