Surname Serifovic - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'S'
Serifovic: What does the surname Serifovic mean?
The last name Serifovic is of Bosnian and Montenegrin origin. It is derived from the term for “shield” or “help”, which was derived from an old Muslim term, “sarif”. The term was originally used to refer to a helper or a person who offered defense or protection in the community.
The Serifovic surname may have been taken by a respected person known to provide assistance and protection to others. He could have been a heroic figure who led a small group of people in battle against an expansive enemy, or he could have led the defense of a village against the enemy. It is possible that his heroic deeds were rewarded by taking his addopted name as a tribute to the protector.
Alternatively, the term could have been taken on by phrase embellishment, which was very popular throughout the medieval Balkans and other parts of Eastern Europe. In this case, the addition of the suffix “ovic” to the end of a name was likely done to reinforce a family’s status and wealth in the eyes of the surrounding communities.
Regardless of the source, the surname Serifovic is considered to be of high honor and respect in much of Eastern Europe and the Balkans, and the surname is widely respected and appreciated by those who bear it today.
Order DNA origin analysisSerifovic: Where does the name Serifovic come from?
The last name Serifovic is most commonly found today in the Balkan region of southeastern Europe. It is especially prevalent in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, and Montenegro. Serifovic is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Serif. It is also seen spelled Serifović, Serifovits, Serifovitch, and Szerifovits.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, approximately 1,200 people carry the last name Serifovic, making it the 151st most common surname in the country. In neighboring Serbia, it is the 450th most common surname with some 2,940 people sharing the name. Croatia and Montenegro also feature the name Serifovic, but more sparsely with 770 and 330 bearers, respectively.
The Serifovic family name has wide historical roots in the Balkans, but gained prominence in the country of Serbia during the Ottoman period. Those who carried the last name were often associated with the military forces at that time. Following the breakup of Yugoslavia, many Serbian families were forced to either emigrate or live in adverse conditions.
Today, many of those bearing the Serifvic last name have scattered throughout the world. This includes several hundred living in Germany and the United States, while a more sizable number can also be found in Australia and Canada.
Variations of the surname Serifovic
The surname Serifovic is a patronymic surname originating from the personal name Serif, most commonly found in the Balkans. Variants of this surname include: Serifović, Serifovitj, Serifovitz, Serifowicz, Serifovschi, Serifowitsch, Serifowycz, and Serifovitch. The patronymic ending -ovich and -ovitch are common Slavic endings for surnames which change depending on the gender of the individual, meaning that female versions of the surname could also include variations such as: Serifovna, Serifova, Serifovica, Serifovicz, Serifowitz, Serifowitsch, Serifowycz and Serifovitch. It is also possible for some spelling variations to occur due to a spelling mistake or a lack of standardisation.
The name Serifovic may have previously been a title, with Serif being a derived from the Turkish word “serif” which means “commanding”. However, despite this origin, the surname is much more commonly derived from a personal name found among Slavic people, such as Serža, Sierioža, Sierž, Serhiy, Sergiy, or Siergiej. These are all hypocorisms of either the Persian name ‘Sergey’ or the Russian name 'Sergei', both of which mean “servant of God”, making Serifovic a name of strong religious overtones.
Famous people with the name Serifovic
- Marija Šerifović: Serbian singer and LGBT activist, Marija Šerifović won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2007 with the song “Molitva”.
- Ruben Šerifović: Ruben Šerifović is a Serbian politician, serving as Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government since 2019.
- Biljana Šerifović: Biljana Šerifović is a Serbian businesswoman and business teacher at the Faculty of Economics in Belgrade.
- Božidar Šerifovic: Božidar Šerifović is a Serbian chess grandmaster and professional chess player.
- Lazar Šerifović: Lazar Šerifović is a former coach of the Serbian national basketball team, playing professionally from 1990 to 1997.
- Selver Šerifović: Selver Šerifović is a Bosnian radio journalist, working as an editor for the Croatian Radio-Television in Sarajevo.
- Jovo Šerifović: Jovo Šerifović is a Serbian architect and sculptor, who has designed and built numerous public buildings and monuments in Serbia.
- Jovan Šerifović: Jovan Šerifović is a Serbian composer, musicologist and professor at the Academy of Arts in Belgrade.
- Goran Šerifović: Goran Šerifović is a Serbian film director, screenwriter, documentarian, editor and producer.
- Dušica Šerifović: Dušica Šerifović is a Serbian-born painter and art teacher living in Munich, Germany.