Surname Barkhan - Meaning and Origin
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Barkhan: What does the surname Barkhan mean?
The last name Barkhan is of Indian origin and is derived from the word “barkhana,” which means “caravan.” This likely originates from the fact that the original Barkhan family were caravan or nomadic traders, travelling from one place to another, setting up temporary markets and selling their goods.
Today, Barkhan is a fairly common surname in India, Pakistan and other areas of the Indian Subcontinent. It is particularly popular among Sindhis and the Kashmiri Muslims of India and Pakistan.
The meaning of Barkhan is indicative of the family’s once nomadic way of life. It’s a reminder of their history and the multifaceted cultures that have shaped them. Despite their nomadic roots, the Barkhan family has, over centuries, carved out a place in society as a whole, achieving recognition and success in their respective fields.
The Barkhan family is no longer in the business of setting up marketplaces, but its name remains a symbol of its centuries of perseverance in the face of adversity and ever-changing circumstances.
Order DNA origin analysisBarkhan: Where does the name Barkhan come from?
The last name Barkhan is most commonly found in Central Asia, and the Middle East. It is a rare name, but exists in smaller numbers in Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Turkey. It is unclear exactly how this last name was given to people, and its origins could be from the Sanskrit word “bachan” meaning “word”, the Persian word “bar-khan” meaning “lord”, or even from the Hindi-Urdu terms “barkhana” and “barkhane” meaning “mender of broken things”.
In recent years, there has been an increasing amount of Barkhans that have migrated to North America from the Middle East, Central Asia, and Pakistan. The exact population for Barkhans in North America is not known, but it is likely very small as it is an uncommon and rare name.
The most well-known Barkhan is Kaif Barkhan, a Pakistani politician and former political leader who was influential in his home country and advocated for democracy. He was assassinated in Karachi in 1989 and has since become a symbol of democracy and freedom in Pakistan.
Overall, the Barkhan name is uncommon and not widely recognized or used around the world. However, it is continuing to gain recognition as members of the family establish themselves in other areas of the world, and is a name that is likely to become more common over time.
Variations of the surname Barkhan
The surname Barkhan is an uncommon but widely spread name around the world, originating from the Irani region and derived from the terms Barkhane or Barkhaneh, and it means “brave”. Variants and spellings of the same origin name can be Borahan, Borakhan, Barkon, Barcon, Barghan, Borghan, Barkin, Berkin, Borkin, Berghan, Borgan, Berogan and Borogen. Surnames of similar origin that share the same meaning are Baran, Baranov, Barano, Baroni, Baranos, Baranowski, Baranski, Barannikov, Barannickov, Barannik, Baranovik, Borinsky and Boronovsky.
The surname is the 3rd most common Iranian surname according to a recent study. It was first recorded in the 17th century in the extreme north-eastern part of Iran, known as Khorasan, with several different clans having the same origin. Since then it has spread across many diaspora communities, with its easy pronunciation and distinctive spelling playing an important role in its popularity.
Throughout the centuries, many of its variants have been linked to the Ashraful-Makhluqat (Persian for “the most perfect beings”) of Islamic tradition, which are believed to have descended from the same progenitor, great-grandfather of Ismael. Through this connection the surname Barkhan has been associated with noble and influential families, who have spread throughout the world and left their mark on many communities.
Famous people with the name Barkhan
- Charles Barkhan: French paralympic athlete and former French runner.
- Shulamith Barkhan: Israeli writer and journalist.
- Ami Barkhan: Israeli medalist in judo and mixed martial artist.
- Michael Barkhan: Israeli film producer, director and scriptwriter.
- Daniel Barkhan: Israeli lawyer and publicist.
- Ira Barkhan: Israeli artist and sculptor.
- Arnon Barkhan: Israeli actor and producer.
- Bracha Barkhan-Levin: Israeli social activist and politician.
- Ester Barkhan: Estonian doctor and philanthropist.
- Maurice Barkhan: French physician and entomologist.