Surname Okyay - Meaning and Origin
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Okyay: What does the surname Okyay mean?
The last name Okyay is a Turkish surname originating from the town of Okyay in Konya province, located in Anatolia, Turkey. The name is derived from the Turkish phrase "Okyazya" which translates to "happy place". The people from the town of Okyay are well-known for their welcoming and kind nature in the region.
The surname Okyay is also linked to the ancient Ottoman Empire, with the earliest known Okyay Noble family beginning in the 18th century. The family stemming from the 'Khan' Empire of the Okyay was headed by Muharrem Khan, and later by his son by Mevlut Khan who married a lady from the influential Abaza family. This led to a well established and influential Okyay family in the region.
The Okyay family have gone on to enjoy a prominent status in Turkish culture, with several notable individuals taking the surname over the years. One such person is Metin Okyay, a Turkish politician who served as the General Secretary of the Republican People's Party; he also served as a member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey between 2002 and 2009.
In its various spellings, the surname Okyay is also found among those from various countries such as Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Russia. The Okyay surname is a testament to Turkish heritage and culture, and a reminder of the strong connection it still holds across many countries of the world.
Order DNA origin analysisOkyay: Where does the name Okyay come from?
The last name Okyay is most commonly found in Turkey today. Over 5.2% of the population in Turkey have the last name Okyay. The last name is also found in smaller numbers in other Middle-Eastern countries such as Syria, Iran, and Iraq. Additionally, the name is found in parts of Europe, such as Germany, Greece, and Bulgaria.
The origin of the last name Okyay is not certain, but it is believed to have been derived from the Old Turkish word for "eagle". Some research also suggests that the name was given to those who tamed and kept eagles. Over the centuries, the name has evolved and have become more common in parts of Turkey.
The last name Okyay is also found in the United States and Canada. In North America, the name is more commonly associated with Turkish or Kurdish immigrants, although there are also many Americans of different ethnic backgrounds who have the name.
In summary, the last name Okyay is most commonly found in Turkey today. It is also found in other Middle Eastern countries, Europe, as well as North America. The origin of the name is believed to be derived from Old Turkish words for "eagle" and those who kept eagles.
Variations of the surname Okyay
The surname Okyay is believed to have its origin in the name of a Turkish military leader and tribal chieftain of the Kıpçak Turkic tribe, Ulvi Okyay (1260–1320). Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Okyay include Okçu, Okçuoglu, Olympus, Okyayoğlu, Olcay, Oglo, and Okko.
Okçu, which is a Turkish word for a bowman (archer) or a Turkic military leader who uses a bow and arrow, is thought to be the original spelling of the surname. Similarly, Okçuoglu is a compounding of Okçu and the Turkish suffix -oglu, meaning “son of” and is used to denote a patronymic or lineal descent.
The noticeable Turkish spelling changes to the Latin alphabet are also found in Olympus, which is a close transcription of the Turkish Okyayoğlu. This well known spelling more closely resembles the traditional pronunciation, however, it has spawned a few derivatives such as Olcay, Oglo and Okko.
Place names throughout the world also bear the surname Okyay. For example, the village of Okyay in the Muğla Province of Turkey allows us to trace the nomadic tribes of northwest Anatolia to a particular place of origin.
It is also believed that the family were related to the ruling dynasty of Greece during the medieval period, the Palaiologos Dynasty. Both the Palaiologos and the Okyay claim to be descendants of the Kıpçak Turks, so it is likely that the two families share a common ancestor.
Overall, the surname Okyay is derived from the Turkish language but can be adapted to various languages spoken throughout the world, making it a surname of international recognition.
Famous people with the name Okyay
- Mahmut Okyay: Turkish poet and author.
- Alpay Okyay: Turkish journalist and screenwriter.
- Selin Okyay: Turkish actress.
- Sinan Okyay: Turkish prosecutor and professor of law.
- Ahmet Okyay: Turkish journalist and columnist.
- Omer Okyay: Turkish football player.
- Murat Okyay: Turkish philosopher and scientist.
- Goksel Okyay: Turkish poet.
- Necati Okyay: Turkish musician and composer.
- Muhammet Okyay: Turkish writer and scholar.