Surname Seref - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Seref: What does the surname Seref mean?
The last name Seref is of Turkish origin and may mean “honor” or “dignity” in Turkish. The name refers to a person of social standing, a person of rank, or someone of high societal rank during Ottoman times. It was often used as a title for esteemed officials such as judges or mayors. In some cases, it may also refer to a feudal lord or a master of horsemanship.
The name is also adopted by many Turkish and Muslim families, often referring to those with Arab or Turkish lineage. It can even indicate ancestry from a respected family or royal lineage.
Being of Turkish origin, the name is typically pronounced ‘seh-rehf’, placing emphasis on the second syllable. Although the spelling can vary depending on the region of origin, it’s usually pronounced exactly the same.
The name is relatively uncommon in the western world, with most bearers of the name residing in predominantly Turkish countries. It is sometimes used as a middle name for religious significance.
The last name Seref is associated with respect and a proud history, but also with an underlying sense of humility that values kindness and understanding over monetary wealth.
Order DNA origin analysisSeref: Where does the name Seref come from?
The last name Seref is most commonly found in Turkey today. It is an Arabic origin name meaning "honorary". The surname is also found amongst the Kurdish-speaking population in the Southeastern part of the country, as well as in Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The Seref surname is thought to have originated in the Middle East and spread out to the region in the late 17th century. The Seref family name was one of the most common names in the Ottoman Empire. It is known that during the Ottoman period the surname had been in use for many centuries, as evidenced by a Turkish tombstone of 1677 which mentions “Seref the dignitary".
Furthermore, the tv series "Seref Meseles” (Seref Problem) was popular in Turkey in the early 2000s. The show followed the life of a family with the last name "Seref" living in Istanbul before and during World War I.
In recent years, the last name has become less common in the Middle East, but is still popular in Turkey. Members of the Seref clan can be found spread all around the country, acting in various fields such as the military, athletics, politics, arts and music. For example, the renowned Turkish singer and actress Seyyal Taner is a member of the Seref family.
Variations of the surname Seref
The surname Seref originates from Central and Eastern European nations and may refer to a variety of names and spellings. Seref is written in many different ways, including Seraf, Seref, Seraph, Serouph, Sereph, Seraff and Sereff.
In Romania, the variant Seref may be spelled as Sreraf, while in Germany it takes the form Seriff or Saraf. In Serbian, the surname may be written as Srf or Sirf, while in Greek it is spelled as Sraf or Srafe. In Arabic countries, the name is common with various forms including Serap, Seraph, and Serof. In some countries, the name may also be spelled Serafim, Serofim, Sarphe or Sarphes.
Many surnames are derived from Seref. Some common variants include Serofsky, Sarafin, Serry, Srafi or Sry. These surnames have multiple spellings as they are based on foreign languages. Other surnames derived from Seref include Seropyan, Sarafyan and Safrayan.
In conclusion, the surname Seref has many variants, spellings and derivative surnames. It is important to note that the variant and spelling of the surname depend on the region and culture in which it is used.
Famous people with the name Seref
- Hatice Süreya Seref: She is an award-winning Turkish television presenter, journalist, author, and actor. She began her career in 1996, and has since been the face of Kaybolan Yıllar, Çarkıfelek, İlk Aşk, and Engin Akyürek.
- Feyza Serfati: She is an actress from Turkey, and is known for her roles in Çınar Ağacı, Ulan Istanbul, and Kalbimdeki Deniz.
- Serhat Teoman: He is an actor from Turkey who is best known for his roles in the films Aşk Tesadüfleri Sever and Köpek, as well as the television series Şeref Meselesi.
- Hülya Avşar: She is an actress, singer, and television producer from Turkey who is best known for her roles in the films Süt Kardeşler, Gelin, and Kaçak.
- Kerem Bürsin: He is an actor from Turkey, and is best known for his roles in the television shows Güneşin Kızları, Muhteşem Yüzyıl, and Tatli Küçük Yalancılar.
- Ayşenur Kolivar: She is an actress from Turkey, and is best known for her roles in the films Son Moda and Bal, as well as the television shows Bizim Hikaye and İstanbullu Gelin.
- Barış Serfatoğlu: He is a voice actor from Turkey, and is best known for his roles in the films Eşkiya, Yeraltından Gelen, and Gölgeler ve Suretler.