Surname Cakmak - Meaning and Origin
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Cakmak: What does the surname Cakmak mean?
The surname Cakmak is a Turkish surname derived from the Turkish word ‘cakmak’ which means ‘spur’ or ‘plug.’ This indicates that the surname is associated with a person who may have been a blacksmith or metalworker. Though Cakmak is an uncommon name, it is a popular name in Turkey. It has been estimated that 1 in every 1,225 Turks has the surname.
The name Cakmak was first found in Istanbul, where it was believed to have been used to distinguish families who originated from the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey. This region has long had a strong influence on the Turkish culture and language, making it a likely origin for the surname.
Though the surname is relatively rare, there are a few people who hold the name in public office. These include former Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, and former footballers Tamer Cakmak and Cemil Cakmak. All three have made a name for themselves in their respective fields and have helped to bring more attention to the name.
The name Cakmak is a proud part of Turkish heritage and culture, and it is likely that the proud families who first held the name in Istanbul are still proud to carry it today.
Order DNA origin analysisCakmak: Where does the name Cakmak come from?
The last name "Cakmak" is of Turkish origin and is most common in Turkey today. According to several surveys, this is the seventh most common Turkish surname. It is also found in several other countries around the world, such as Romania, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, and Greece. In these countries, the last name is usually pronounced differently than in Turkey, and it may be spelled with a variety of different variations.
The surname is thought to have derived from the ancient Turkic language, and its meaning is often linked to the Turkic word for "spark" or "lightning." It is also known to translate to "tanner", referring to the type of tradesman whose job is to prepare hides and skins for use.
Outside of Turkey, the surname Cakmak is rare. People with the surname can be found in very low numbers in the United States, Australia, and other countries where immigrants of Turkish descent have moved. Interestingly, several presidents of Turkish descent have also shared the last name Cakmak, such as the seventh president of Turkey Süleyman Demirel.
Variations of the surname Cakmak
The surname Cakmak has several variants, spellings and surnames related to it from the same origin. These include Chakmak, Çakmak and Chakmakoff.
Çakmak is the most common surname variant, pronounced "cha-mako." It can be found across Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece, among other countries. The alternative spelling Chakmak is mostly used in Russia, a remnant of the Russo-Turkish cultural ties of the early 20th century.
Chakmakoff is a variant of the surname that originated in the Russian Principality of Moldavia in the 18th century. This version of the surname is derived from the Turkish word çakmak, meaning "to sparkle." The spelling "Chakmakoff" is believed to have come from Russian influences, as the possessive case of the Russian-language is often added to a surname to indicate possession by that surname's family.
In addition to these variants, there are other related surnames stemming from the same root. The Turkish-language surname Çakmakoğlu is derived from Çakmak and is used by some of Cakmak's longer-standing families. Another common surname variant is Çakıroğlu, which includes the –oğlu suffix that indicates the surname originates from a patronymic.
Together, these variants demonstrate the various ways Cakmak has evolved over time in different regions of the world. While each spelling and surname provides a slightly different meaning, each has its roots in the same origin and carries the same traditional values.
Famous people with the name Cakmak
- Turkish film director and screenwritter, Gökhan Cakmak
- CEO and managing director of Hizir Cakmak A.S., Jinnah Cakmak
- Professor of International Relations at the Department of Politics and International Studies at the University of Warwick, Margee Cakmak
- Argentinian artist, Brisa Cakmak
- Turkish actor, Tuncel Cakmak
- Turkish footballer, Fatih Cakmak
- Jordanian entrepreneur, Utku Cakmak
- Turkish tenor, Sahin Cakmak
- Research Professor at Gebze Technical University, Mahmut Cakmak
- Nobel Prize laureate, Aziz Sancar Cakmak