Surname Pekmezci - Meaning and Origin

Pekmezci: What does the surname Pekmezci mean?

The last name Pekmezci is a Turkish surname derived from the Turkish word "pekmez", which means syrup. Pekmezci is the Turkish word for a person who makes or sells syrup. It was originally an occupational name, and was likely used to describe a maker or seller of syrup, honey, and other products made with sugar and syrup.

The origins of the surname Pekmezci can be traced to the Ottoman Empire. During the reign of the Ottoman Empire, there was a special tax called the "pekmezci tax" which was given to people who worked with syrup and honey. This tax incentivized the production of syrup, and led to the development of a special profession associated with the making and selling of syrup and honey.

The term Pekmezci is still in use in modern-day Turkey, where it is used to refer to candy and syrup producers. In modern-day Turkish culture, Pekmezci is seen as an admirable profession - one often associated with hard work and tradition.

In modern-day Turkey, the Pekmezci family name is often associated with producing and selling dishes prepared with sugar, syrup, and honey - dishes such as Turkish Semolina Cake, Rice Pudding with Walnuts, and Sweetened Sour Cherry Sour Cherry Compote. These dishes are not only traditional but also delicious, and offer a unique way of featuring the Pekmezci name.

Pekmezci is a unique and honorable name within Turkish culture, and it carries a strong sense of history and tradition. It is a surname that is still in use today, and a testament to the legacy of syrup makers and sellers that started centuries ago.

Pekmezci: Where does the name Pekmezci come from?

The last name Pekmezci is commonly seen today in parts of Turkey, especially in the regions of Marmara and Aegean, as well as in certain areas of Cyprus.

Etymologically, the name Pekmezci is derived from the Turkish word "pekmez," which translates to "molasses," which is a type of concentrated syrup made from grapes, figs, carob, or other fruits. The suffix "ci" is a Turkish honorific, which is typically attached to craft, occupation, or other nouns to designate someone associated with that field. Thus, the literal translation of the name Pekmezci is "one associated with molasses" or, loosely, a “molasses maker.”

Historically, the people born with the name Pekmezci were associated with the production and trade of molasses. This is why the regions of Marmara and Aegean, which have long been known for the cultivation and production of sweet fruits, such as figs and grapes, are now known to have a strong presence of the surname Pekmezci.

Today, Molasses production is not nearly as prominent in Turkey as it once was. However, the name has endured and still exists today, albeit in lesser numbers. The name Pekmezci can still be commonly found among people of Turkish ancestry living in these historical regions. In addition, the diaspora of Turkish communities in other countries, particularly those in Europe, is likely to have helped preserve this last name.

Variations of the surname Pekmezci

The surname Pekmezci has many variants that are spelled and pronounced differently, but all with the same origin. The most common variants are Pekçe, Pekçek, Pekçik, Pekcic, Peksek, Pekchic, and Pekmeschich. Each of these spellings refer to the same origin, and all variations of surname Pekmezci have Turkish roots.

Surnames with the same origin can also be found among other cultures. In Bosnian, Pekmezci is spelled Pekmezchich, while in Croatian, it is written as Pekmešćić. In Hungarian, the surname is spelled Pékmézczich, while in Catalan, it is written as Pebrech. In Ukrainian, the surname is spelled Пекмежчих, while in Greek, it is written as Πεκμέζτσιτς.

The various spellings and variants of Pekmezci are derived from the Turkish word pekmez, which means "sugared fruit juice concentrate." This type of concentrate was historically made from boiled grape juice, the remnants of which often remained at the bottom of the pot and were collected and referred to as pekmez or pekmezci. Variations of this surname later spread to other cultures, leading to the many different spellings we see today.

Other surnames derived from the original Turkish version of the surname are Pekmezcioglu, Pekmezciyan, and Pekmezcioğlu. All of these surnames are associated with those of Turkish origin and refer to a person who produces or uses pekmez.

Famous people with the name Pekmezci

• Şaziye Pekmezci: Şaziye Pekmezci is a prominent sociologist and author in Turkey, renowned for her work “Internalization of the Women’s Movement in Turkey”, examining the changing role of Turkish women in the modern world.
• Müberra Pekmezci: Müberra Pekmezci is a Turkish sports journalist from Istanbul. She is also involved in sports commentating, most notably for BeIN Sports and the Turkish national television network TRT.
• Seyit Pekmezci: Seyit Pekmezci is a Turkish professional basketball player who currently plays for the Istanbul Büyükşehir Belediyespor.
• Fatma Pekmezci: Fatma Pekmezci is a prominent Turkish singer and composer, best known for her folk and pop music.
• Mehmet Pekmezci: Mehmet Pekmezci is a retired Turkish professional football player.
• Seher Pekmezci: Seher Pekmezci is a Turkish medical doctor, with a specialization in pathology. She is an assistant professor and researcher at Karadeniz Technical University, in Trabzon, Turkey.
• Oktan Pekmezci: Oktan Pekmezci is an economist and entrepreneur who is well-known for his work in the field of economic development and international trade.
• Yüksel Pekmezci: Yüksel Pekmezci is a Turkish former professional football player, who has represented his country at both the 1990 FIFA World Cup and the 1996 European Championship.
• Arzu Pekmezci: Arzu Pekmezci is a Turkish human rights lawyer, specializing in the areas of education and equality. She is a dedicated advocate for women’s and children’s rights in Turkey.

Other surnames

Pekmez