Surname Kovanci - Meaning and Origin
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Kovanci: What does the surname Kovanci mean?
The last name Kovanci (also spelled Kovancsi, Kobanci, and Kovansi) is of Hungarian origin, and derived from the personal name Kovács, meaning “blacksmith”. A “kovács” was a skilled worker who could work with iron, and the surname reflects an ancestor who may have been such a person, or related to one in some way.
The earliest mention of the name was in Hungary in the 11th century when King Stephen I of Hungary (also known as St. Stephen) founded the royal family of Kovanci. At that time, the families who adopted the surname lived in Hungary, Austria, and Slovakia.
By the early 20th century the surname had also spread to other parts of Europe. In the United States, the name can be found in both large cities and small towns.
Today, the name Kovanci is most commonly associated with Hungary. It is an interesting surname due to its connection to the blacksmith trade and the royal family of Hungary. It is also an uncommon name, offering its bearer a unique identity as well as a link to an interesting past.
Order DNA origin analysisKovanci: Where does the name Kovanci come from?
The last name Kovanci is most common today in Croatia, a country in southeastern Europe. It is one of the top 500 surnames in the country, with an estimated 42,000 Croatians bearing it. It is possible that Kovanci is also found in other Slavic countries, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Slovenia, Montenegro, and even Poland.
The word Kovanci is derived from the Slavic word “kovat” which translates to forge or smith. It is likely that the Kovanci family had roots in metalworking and blacksmithing, from which they may have taken their surname.
The origin of the Kovanci family may be traced back to Croatia’s historic Zagorje region, where the family is reported to have originated. Kovanci was an old noble village where the nobility of Croatia once resided. It is thought that the family may have originated from a nearby village, such as Krapine, which had strong ties to the Kovanci family in the 18th century.
The Kovanci family is considered quite prestigious in Croatia; prominent members include Croatian Archbishop Ilija Kovanci, Italian novelist and poet Umberto Kovanci and Croatian philosopher Vinko Kovanci. Today, the Kovanci name has spread beyond Croatia’s borders, and is likely to be found in other countries with significant Croatian communities.
Variations of the surname Kovanci
The surname Kovanci is a common variation of the Croatian and Slovenian surname Kovačić, derived from the word kovač, which means "blacksmith". This surname refers to the occupation of the people with the surname, meaning they were likely blacksmiths many generations ago.
Variants of the surname Kovanci include Kovaci, Kovac, Kovacevich, Kovacevic, Koval, Kovalec, Kovalcik, Kovecz, Kovec, Kovutci.
Kovačić is also a common spelling variation of the surname. This variation is the original in Croatia and Slovenia, whereas Kovanci is the Austrian spelling. In some countries, the spelling Kofacevich is also seen. Surnames with similar origins include Kovacs, Kovacik, Kovač, Kovacek, Kravec, Kravčič, Kostic, Kostić, Kovačević, and Kovačič.
The spelling variations of Kovanci also extend to other surnames, such as Kováč, Kovačik, Kovacsházy, Koutník and Kovošík. Each of these variations may have a slightly different origin from the original Croatian Kovačić, and may have been adapted from a local language or dialect, or adapted by immigrants from other countries.
Famous people with the name Kovanci
- Ece Kovanci: Turkish actress and model.
- Ahmet Kovanci: retired Turkish footballer who played for Süper Lig clubs like Beşiktaş J.K., Mersin İdman Yurdu and Ankaragücü.
- Murat Kovanci: Turkish professional basketball player.
- Hülya Kovanci: 2003 Miss Turkey.
- Ali Kovanci: Turkish actor and director.
- Züleyha Kovanci: Turkish interior designer and model.
- Haluk Kovanci: Turkish lyrical singer.
- Necdet Kovaçi: Turkish football manager and former player of Galatasaray S.K.
- Hamza Kovačić: Bosnian footballer who currently plays for AIK in Allsvenskan.
- Šejla Kovačević: Bosnian visual artist.