Surname Sungur - Meaning and Origin
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Sungur: What does the surname Sungur mean?
Sungur is a Turkish surname, with the literal translation meaning "lion." It is believed to have originated with a nickname given to a lion-hearted ancestor, or an ancestor with a lion-like appearance or bearing, and is particularly common in the central and east Anatolia regions of Turkey.
The surname Sungur is often connected to certain clans and relatives that trace their lineage to this ancestor. It is also very common as a given name for both boys and girls, and can be found in many Middle Eastern countries. Its popularity may also have stemmed from its association to certain noteworthy historical figures, including Sungur Tekin (a poet from the 13th and 14th centuries AD).
Sungur is also a term that denotes courage and strength in Turkey, particularly in the traditional tribal culture. It is seen to connote independence and solid character, and is incorporated into certain cultural ceremonies. It can be found as a part of advertising slogans used to promote Turkish products and services, and is used to give people an impression of strength and stability.
Thus, for members of the diaspora of Turkish descent, the surname Sungur may be an indication of both their cultural and their ancestral heritage, and a reminder of these individuals' strength and honour.
Order DNA origin analysisSungur: Where does the name Sungur come from?
The last name Sungur is mainly found in Turkey today. It is a common Turkish surname with a long history. According to the Turkish Ministry of the Interior, as of 2019, Sungur was the 65th most common surname in Turkey.
The name is believed to originate from the Sungur tribe, which was part of the Turcoman tribes in medieval Anatolia. "Sungur" is derived from the Old Turkic words "sun" and "gur" which translates to "lion". As such, the last name Sungur suggests a family with a strong, valiant, and courageous line of patriarchs.
Sungur families began migrating to Turkey from Central Asia and the Caucasus during the 11th and 12th centuries and have since remained mainly concentrated in Anatolia. Most Sungurs now live in provinces located in Central and Western Anatolia, such as Ankara, Erzurum, Burdur, Bursa, and Konya. They are followers of Sunni Islam.
Sungur is both a patronymic name and a surname; however, in modern-day Turkey, it is used as a surname. Generally, it is written without any diacritics. As appropriate with Turkish naming conventions, children are generally given their father’s name as their last name.
Though Sungur is mainly found in Turkey today, there is evidence to indicate that it can also be found in other regions as well, such as the Balkans, regions in the Caucasus, Iraq, Syria, and even among Turks living in Germany.
Variations of the surname Sungur
The surname Sungur is believed to be of Turkish origin. It is believed to have evolved from the ancient word for 'knightly hero', which is 'sungur'. The spelling of the surname can vary slightly from Sungur to Sonqur, however they all carry the same meaning.
Variations of this surname include: Songoul, Sungou, Sunger, Sungra, Sungurlu, Sunqur, and Sungur. Out of these, the spelling 'Songoul' is more commonly used outside of Turkey, which is taken from the Turkish term for 'heroic' or 'brave'.
Surnames which have derived from Sungur include: Sonqoli, Suncoli, Senqur, Sonqer, Sankuri, Sankar, Sonqolli, and Sankolli. These surnames can be found in primarily in Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria.
In addition to these variations of the surname, Sungur is often spelt 'Sungurlu', which can be roughly translated as 'son of the heroic' and is used to denote the offspring of someone with the surname Sungur.
In conclusion, the surname Sungur is a very old and common surname with many variations, forming many derivatives of the same origin. It is a reflection of the Turkish people's proud heritage and bravery in defending their homeland.
Famous people with the name Sungur
- Ahmet Sungur: Turkish actor, director and writer.
- Ayşe Sungur: Turkish poet and activist.
- Sema Sungur: Turkish actress and backup vocalist for the pop/rock band “MWA.”
- Halil Sungur: Turkish actor and radio show host from Istanbul.
- Özgür Sungur: Turkish avant-garde artist and sculptor.
- Ceren Sungur: Turkish pop and R&B singer.
- Mücahit Sungur: Turkish former football player and current football coach.
- Rıza Sungur: Turkish mixed martial artist and former WWF champion.
- Süha Sungur: Turkish singer-songwriter and composer.
- Hakan Sungur: Turkish songwriter and producer, best known for his collaborations with pop stars like Sertab Erener.
- Güven Sungur: Turkish ceramic artist and sculptor.
- Aziz Sungur: Turkish philanthropist and real estate mogul.
- Ali Sungur: Turkish engineer and humanitarian worker, noted for his philanthropic activities in Africa and Central Asia.
- Soner Sungur: Turkish actor, producer, and director, known for films such as İhtimaller (Possibilities).
- Deniz Sungur: Turkish contemporary dancer and choreographer based in Ankara.