Surname Turkkis - Meaning and Origin
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Turkkis: What does the surname Turkkis mean?
The last name Turkkis is a surname of Finnish origin, derived from the word 'Turkki', which means Finnish. This surname is believed to have originated during the early period of Finnish settlement in the region, when settlers adopted Turkkis as a form of identification.
The Turkkis surname is relatively uncommon in Finland today, but can still be found in parts of Eastern Finland. It can also be found in other countries where people originally from Finland have settled, such as the United States and Canada.
The Turkkis surname was traditionally associated with Finnish culture, and many people who share it continue to celebrate their Finnish heritage. It is thought that the name refers to the hardy, strong willed nature of the people who lived in Finland during the early settlements. This is mirrored in the resilience and strength of character seen in a majority of Finnish people today.
People who bear the Turkkis surname are often associated with the agricultural profession, as overseas Finnish migrants had to work the land in order to support themselves. This is especially true of those who went further afield, such as those who settled in North America.
The Turkkis surname is a reminder of Finland's rich and fascinating past, when Finnish settlers first made their mark on the world. It is a legacy carried forward by the people who share it today, and is something to be proud of.
Order DNA origin analysisTurkkis: Where does the name Turkkis come from?
The last name Turkkis is most commonly found in Finland, the home of its origin. The surname was first recorded in official documents from 1362, when Turka appeared as a noble family in the West Finnish Province of Satakunta.
Originally, Turkkis was used to describe someone from the Turku region of Finland. People bearing the name came from Finnish nobility and were said to have a great lineage and wealth. Over time, the last name became a status symbol, used by powerful families as a mark of distinction.
Today, the Turkkis name is most common in certain parts of Finland. In the city of Turku, it is amongst the top ten most popular family names. It can also be found in sizeable concentrations in the southwest, specifically in provinces such as Varsinais-Suomi, Satakunta, and South Ostrobothnia.
Outside of Finland, the surname can also be found amongst Finnish diaspora communities in Europe, North America, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Turkkis
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Turkkis can include Thürkis, Thyrkis, Thürckish, Turcks, Turkish, Tarkesh, Tharic, Thorcks, Thurkes, Turcis, and Tarcise.
The Thürkis and Thyrkis variants of the surname are derived from the Old German ‘turc’ meaning ‘invader’, and may have originally referred to settlers who had migrated from the area of the Byzantine Empire. The Thürckish variant is of uncertain origin, but perhaps reflects a corruption or misreading of the other Thürkis and Thyrkis spellings.
The Turcks and Turkish variants of the surname are of Dutch origin, derived from the Old Germanic root ‘turc’ meaning ‘straw’, and may have originally referred to a person who worked with or sold straw.
The Tarkesh and Tharic variants of the surname are of uncertain origin, and may have arisen independently from one another. It is possible that these spellings are variants of the Turkish spelling, or that they may be derived form other Germanic words meaning ‘war’ or ‘battle’.
The Thorcks, Thurkes, Turcis, and Tarcise variants of the surname are derivatives of the Old Germanic ‘THORCA’ meaning ‘bore’, and may have referred to a person who worked with or sold iron, or a blacksmith. Alternatively, these spellings may have initially referred to a person who bore arms.
Famous people with the name Turkkis
- Kalle Turkkis: a renowned Finnish politician, current member of the Finnish Parliament and former minister from the National Coalition party.
- Terhi Turkkila: a Finnish actor living in Berlin currently, who has studied in various countries and worked in television, film and radio.
- Pauliina Turkkis: an ethnologist and a political scientist living in Finland. She is the president and founder of the The Finnish Game Studies Association.
- Kimmo Turkkis: a Finnish actor, director and theater producer. He is famous for his roles in the theatre, films and television programs in Finland.
- Teemu Turkkis: a producer, musician, and mix engineer currently living in Los Angeles, US. He has worked with various artists from different genres and is the CEO of his own recording company, Mondo Music Group.
- Timo Turkkis: a renowned video game programmer, designer, and producer living in Helsinki, Finland. He is the founder of the game company Dopefly and is currently working on his own game called Beam.
- Tuomo Turkkis: a prominent businessman in Finland. He has served in various board positions and is the founder of the Finnish software company Simponline.
- Antti Turrkis: a Finnish journalist and a media personality. He has been a columnist for several publications, including the "Turku Gazett" and "The Globe".