Surname Turkenitz - Meaning and Origin

Turkenitz: What does the surname Turkenitz mean?

The last name Turkenitz is a Jewish name of Ashkenazi origin, likely originating from the town of Turka on the Bug River of Ukraine. The name Turkenitz has existed in Eastern Europe for centuries, likely first appearing in the area as early as the 14th or 15th century.

The most popular translation of the name is “from Turka,” but other suggestions include “son of the Turks” or “from the house of Turka.” Since Turka was an area with a large Turkish population, the “son of the Turks” interpretation is also likely.

Other interpretations of the name include Türkeniz, which is derived from the German for “from the Turks,” and Türkschitz, which is derived from the Middle High German term for “Turkish thing.”

Regardless of its origin, the meaning of Turkenitz is clear: a connection to Turka or a Turkish heritage. This connection is further supported by the fact that Turka was a Jewish settlement beginning in the 15th century.

Thus, the last name Turkenitz is an identifier of Jewish origin as well as an indication of a Turkish connection. It is a strong reminder of how deeply the Jewish and Turkish communities have been intertwined for centuries.

Turkenitz: Where does the name Turkenitz come from?

The last name Turkenitz is most commonly found today in Germany, where it has been in use since the Middle Ages. According to records from the 13th century, the Turkenitz family had already established itself in Germany by then.

The origins of the name are unclear, but it is thought to come from the Middle High German word “turke”, which roughly translates as “immigrant” or “foreigner”. This theory is backed up by the presence of other similar family names around the same time, such as Turenchin and Turk.

The Turkenitzes were known to be prosperous merchants and artisans in various German cities, with records of their activities in Frankfurt, Munich, and Regensburg. Some of them also moved to nearby areas of present-day Austria and Switzerland, so there are some Turkenitzes living there too.

Today, the Turkenitz name is still relatively rare and there are no longer any prominent families living that carry it. Most people with the name are scattered around Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, though some have moved to other countries such as the United States and Canada in recent years.

Variations of the surname Turkenitz

Turkenitz is an uncommon surname of Ashkenazi Jewish origin. It is primarily found in Central and Eastern European countries, where its variants are Turkewitz, Turkowitz, Turkowicz, Turkovits, Turkenits, Turkovicz, and Turkovich.

The surname is derived from the name Torak, which means "turban-clad." The word was likely bestowed upon someone because they wore a turban or were of Arab descent, and then modified to form Turkenitz.

The suffix "-itz" or "-itzky" is added to many Jewish surnames. It is derived from the Yiddish word "itsik," derived from the Hebrew word "yitzchak," meaning "he shall laugh." The suffix is often added to make a patronymic, or a name derived from the father's given name.

Turkenitz is also a variation on the Germanic surname Turk, which is thought to date back to the 13th century and comes from the Middle High German word "turc," which meant "fierce in battle." It referred to a tribe from Central Asia who were master horsemen and warriors. The Turk surname may have also been given to someone who resembled a Turk, or someone who engaged in trade with Turkey.

The surname Turkenitz is not commonly encountered in Jewish genealogy today, as many of its bearers fled Central and Eastern Europe during World War II. Of those who remained, many changed their surname to something less identifiable as Jewish.

Famous people with the name Turkenitz

• Barbro Turkenitz: Swedish politician, former vice chairman of the Moderate Party.
• Mònica Turkenitz: Spanish actress most known for her roles in shows like “El barco” and “Cara o cruz”.
• Brenda Turkenitz: Canadian-American figure skater who made appearances on several TV shows including “Ice Princess”.
• Juvalie Turkenitz: South African model who has done photo shoots for Elle, FHM, and GQ.
• Aviva Turkenitz: Israeli actress most known for her roles in movies such as “A Tale of Love and Darkness” and “Fight on the Beach”.
• Pekka Turkenitz: Finnish composer who composed songs for several films, including “Green Street Hooligans” and “Troy”.
• Mark Turkenitz: Canadian-American professor and documentary filmmaker whose work examines a wide range of topics from animal rights to children’s rights.
• Avi Turkenitz: Israeli jazz saxophonist who has performed with orchestras and bands such as the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra and the Israeli jazz collective HaimZ.
• Max Turkenitz: German author of crime fiction who has won numerous awards for his work.
• Estzel Turkenitz: Brazilian choreographer, best known for her works such as “Splash” and “Divine Madness”.

Other surnames

TurkenichTurkeniz