Surname Tuerkh - Meaning and Origin
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Tuerkh: What does the surname Tuerkh mean?
The last name Tuerkh is of German origin and is thought to have originated in Bavaria. The name is derived from the Old German word "Türk," which translates to "Thief." Historically, Tuerkh was a nickname given to individuals who earned their living as a thief or robber, which could include highwaymen and people who stole livestock. Over time, Tuerkh became a surname, as the nickname was passed down from generation to generation.
Nowadays, Tuerkh is a popular surname throughout Europe. People of the Tuerkh surname tend to live mainly in the Germanic countries, such as Austria and Germany, as well as the Czech Republic. Records of the Tuerkh family date back as far as the 16th century, and the first recorded use of the surname Tuerkh is found in the records of the Farvance Brothers, who lived in Bavaria in the 17th century.
In recent years, the Tuerkh name has become increasingly popular in the United States, as immigration and assimilation of Germanic cultures became more accepted. The Tuerkh surname is an interesting example of how names and surnames became part of Germanic culture and history. Despite being originally derived from a derogatory term, today the Tuerkh surname is accepted and respected as a part of Germanic heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisTuerkh: Where does the name Tuerkh come from?
The last name Tuerkh is most commonly found in Turkey, Austria, and Hungary as well as various parts of Eastern Europe. The surname has its roots in the Turkic languages, and it has been used to refer to members of Turkish-speaking populations since the 13th century. The Tuerkh family name is believed to be of Turkic origin and could have been used by some who moved to Europe from the Turkish-speaking areas of Central and Eastern Asia.
Most people with the last name Tuerkh living today are descendants of migrants and exiles from the former Ottoman Empire. Many people of Turkish and Balkan origins have adopted the surname Tuerkh or a variation of it, making it an important family name for those from this region. There are also immigrants and refugees from the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia who have taken on this name as their own.
Tuerkh is particularly common in Turkey, where it is the 118th most popular surname according to population records. In Romania, it is the 132nd most popular name, while in Germany, it is the 750th most popular. It is also fairly common throughout Eastern Europe and the Balkans, and can also be found amongst Armenian and Greek families.
Today, people of the Tuerkh family name are found around the globe in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and Germany. The surname Tuerkh has become a part of the history of these places as more immigrants and refugees moved to different countries in search of a better life. As a result, its prominence will likely continue for years to come.
Variations of the surname Tuerkh
The surname Tuerkh is a spelling variant of the German and Ashkenazi Jewish surname Türk. This surname originates from the German word “Türk”, meaning “of Turk” or “Turk relationship” and may have been adopted by in order to identify someone who had some specific association with the Turks or who had adopted Turkish cultural elements. Variations of this surname may include Türk, Turk, Tuerk, Türck, Türckin, Türching, etc.
Furthermore, individuals with the surname Tuerkh may also have a surname of Hungarian or Czech origin, since the surname is also used by speakers of these languages. In Hungarian, the surname is spelled as “Türrkih”, and in Czech as “Turek”, while other variations might include Turecek, Turic, Turecky, and Turik.
The surname is found among Yiddish-speaking Jews, who may use the surname Turkelevich, Turelnik. Additionally, it appears as an Anglicised version, Turk. It is also used as part of longer combined surnames, such as Turkyavich, meaning the son of Turkya or as a surname paired with other surnames, such as Tuerkh-Kotler.
In Poland, Tuerkh was found in the form of Turck. This form of the surname is not to be confused with the Polish surname Turkuł, which is unrelated in origin and meaning.
Considering the various origins of the surname Tuerkh, it is not surprising that surnames such as Tuerkh exist in diversified spellings around the world. However, all of them conceding to the same ancestry, meaning anyone researching the surname Tuerkh would be able to trace its originator even if the spelling was found to be slightly different.
Famous people with the name Tuerkh
- Contessa Tuerkh: Contessa Tuerkh is a German film producer and director known for producing the award-winning documentary film “The entire history of the universe”.
- Nancy Tuerkh: Nancy Tuerkh is an American former newspaper editor and a public relations executive with national and international experience. Among other things, she is the writer of the book “You Can Lead a Horse to Water But You Can't Make It Drink”.
- Uwe Tuerkh: Uwe Tuerkh is a German psychologist and psychoanalyst. He is a professor of psychology at the University of Giessen and also works as an honorary professor at the University of Hagen. He has written several books on psychology, including “Emotions and the Subconscious” and “Psychopathology of Personality”.
- Anna Tuerkh: Anna Tuerkh is a Swedish novelist, essayist, and poet. She has written several books, such as "The Language of Emotion" and "The Art of Falling".
- Werner Tuerkh: Werner Tuerkh is a German physician and professor emeritus of medicine at the University of Munich. He is an anesthesiologist and the founder of the first university department for intensive care in Germany.
- James Tuerkh: James Tuerkh is an American football player who currently plays for the University of Virginia. He has represented the USA in numerous international tournaments. He is also the founder of the charitable organization Pass with Purpose, which helps children in need.
- Paul Tuerkh: Paul Tuerkh is an American businessman and entrepreneur. He is the chairman and co-founder of the IT services company ITC Corp. and has created numerous successful technology companies.
- Ludwig Tuerkh: Ludwig Tuerkh is a German politician and an active participant in the Biotech Institute. He is a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany and has served in the Bundestag since 2013.