Surname Kayaoglu - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kayaoglu: What does the surname Kayaoglu mean?
The last name Kayaoglu is of Turkish origin and is derived from the Turkish word “kaya,” which means “rock” or “stone.” The suffix “oglu” is a Turkish honorific, commonly added to the end of a surname to indicate a relation of son to the father.
The name Kayaoglu is distinct to the Black Sea region of Turkey, a place known for its rivers, mountains, and dense forests. Here, families still live in ancient dwellings and lead a traditional lifestyle characterized by fishing, hunting, and farming. Signs of the region’s historic wealth and grace remain even today, with traditional carpets and colorful textiles still woven by hand.
The name Kayaoglu encompasses the essence of this region and reflects the centuries of importance placed on maintaining traditional customs and values. This is a name that echoes the strength and beauty of the people and Environment of the Black Sea. It implies a durable serenity and a bond with people that has stood the test of time, a spirit that continues to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisKayaoglu: Where does the name Kayaoglu come from?
The last name "Kayaoglu" is mainly found around the Aras river basin, which runs through eastern Turkey, northwestern Iran, and parts of Armenia and Azerbaijan. It is particularly common in the city of Erzurum in northeastern Turkey. According to a 2001 census of the country, over 300 thousand people shared the same surname.
Most Kayaoglu families in Turkey are believed to originate from a Kayaoglu tribe (also called Keyoğlu or Köyoğlu) which was based in the area surrounding Erzurum prior to Ottoman occupation of the region in the early 16th century. Centuries later, during the 1910s, many Kayaoglu families chose to emigrate to other parts of the world in search of better living conditions and economic opportunities, mainly in Europe and North America.
Today, Kayaoglus are known to have spread to Turkey's main cities like Istanbul, Izmir, and Ankara, as well the cities of Los Angeles and Chicago in the United States. Other estimates point to them as having settled in various countries like Canada, Switzerland, Australia, and England. Due to the rural origins of the family, many members of the Kayaoglu tribe remain to this day in the area close to the Aras river basin.
Considering their rich nomadic history, it wouldn't be a surprise to find members of the Kayaoglu family in almost every corner of the world.
Variations of the surname Kayaoglu
Kayaoglu is a rare surname that is commonly found among Turkish families. Variants of the surname can include Kayaogullari, Kayaocagi, Kayaogu, and Kayaoglu. Additionally, the spellings can differ, with some people spelling the surname Kaayaoğu, Kayaɔgu, Kayaɔoğlu, Kayaoulu, Kayaouglu, and Kayaogli.
Minor variations can also be found, such as Kaayoglou, Kayoğul, Kayaoglue, Kayaogoeli, and Kayaoğu. The surname is usually found in western Turkey in cities such as Istanbul and Ankara and is typically used as a patronymic or a toponymic name derived from the words “kaya” which means stone and “oglu” which means son. As such, the surname translates into “son of the stone” or “originating from the stone”.
Some families may also have the 1400 AD religious leader Chelebi Kaya Oglu from Sakarya as an ancestor which may explain why such a rare surname is found in western Turkey. Different spellings and variants are also thought to be adopted over time or in response to local dialect regionalisms which further explain the multiple spellings of the name.
Overall, Kayaoglu is a rare surname that can be found in western Turkey and has a range of various spellings and variants.
Famous people with the name Kayaoglu
- Ece Kayaoglu: Turkish actress
- Ebru Kayaoglu: Turkish-American journalist
- Gökhan Kayaoglu: Turkish footballer
- Kerem Kayaoglu: Turkish footballer
- Sener Kayaoglu: Turkish writer
- Ugur Kayaoglu: Turkish actor
- Hakan Kayaoglu: Turkish Row basketball player
- Ersin Kayaoglu: Turkish actor
- Ahmet Kayaoglu: Turkish film director 10. Omer Kayaoglu: Turkish actor 11. Mengü Kayaoglu: Turkish voice actress 12. Kadir Kayaoglu: Turkish footballer 13. Caner Kayaoglu: Turkish basketball player 14. Taylan Kayaoglu: Turkish football coach 15. Sattar Kayaoglu: Turkish footballer