In Albanian culture, last names are very important. Families take great pride in their last name and it is a symbol of their heritage, lineage, and history. It is not uncommon for people to change the spelling of their own last name to make it more phonetic or easier to pronounce. In Albania, there are two types of surnames: “patronymic” which is derived from a person’s father’s first name, and “locative” which comes from where they live or come from originally. Surnames can be changed either by law or tradition depending on the family’s preference.
The most common last name in Albania is Haxhiu which means ‘the one from haxh land’. In northern Albania, these individuals are usually from a family of shepherds or have been involved with this occupation somehow. It is believed that families who have been under Turkish rule for so long passed down patronymic names to later generations. Other very common Albanian last names include Dibra, Gjondedaj, Kryeziu, Bytyçi, and Zeneli.
A less common surname is Berisha, which comes from the word “bear” and means ‘bear-like’ or ‘brave’. This surname can also be spelled as Bërshe with an accent over the second “e” which changes the pronunciation to “bhair-sheh.”
Last names with origins in geography include Hoxha, which means ‘one from Hoxha land’. There are many places called Hoxha in the northern regions of the country including one in Tropoje, Dibra, and several in Berat. More common last names include Gjika, meaning ‘from Gji lake or pond’ which was started by a family who lived on this small lake for quite some time.
Another less common name is Hyseni which means ‘one from Hysein land’. This last name is usually found in the northern regions of Albania.
Here are some more common names that you can encounter throughout Albania:
More Albanian surnames
Here are the most common Albanian last names with their meanings:
Agaj: This last name is derived from the Northern Albanian city of Shkodra. It means “one who lives in Aga’s house”.
Akova: This last name is found in Laberia (Southeastern Albania) and it derives from the Turkish word “ak” meaning “white”. It has also been suggested that it is derived from the Greek word “akafas” meaning beggar.
Asllanaj: This last name originates from Lezha (Northern Albania) and derives either from the Turkish word “Yalcin” meaning good, or from the term “Yalina” which means belonging to Yali.
Belegu: This last name originates from Pogradec (Eastern Albania) and is believed to have derived either from the Turkish word “Bilge” meaning wise, or from the Turkish word “Aligu” which means strong, or even the Albanian word “Bergu” which means good.
Carkanaku: This last name is found in Shkodra (Northern Albania) and derives from the Turkish word “Yakan” meaning brave.
Drini: This last name is found in Elbasan (Central Albania) and derives from the Albanian word for water. It’s interesting to see that there are many historians claiming this last name to be of Romanian origin which is not true for it derives of the Albanian word “Drin” meaning water.
Gashi: This last name is found in Elbasan (Central Albania) and it derives from the Turkish word “Kasap” which means butcher.
Geçka: This last name is found among Gorani people but has been extended to the Albanians as well. It means casual wear of any type, costume for a specific occasion or event. Geçka is also a first name among Gorani people and it has been mentioned that this last name might have derived from a first name.
Guri: This last name is found in Shkodra (Northern Albania) and derives from the Albanian word “guri” which means mountain.
Kadriu: This last name is found in Ulcinj (Southwestern Albania) and it is either derived from the Turkish word “kader” meaning “destiny”, or the Turkish word “Kadir” meaning powerful.
Karamali: This last name is found in Elbasan (Central Albania) but might have derived from either Kosovo or Macedonia. It means blacksmith in Albanian.
Kastrati: This last name is found in Kastrat region of Northern Albania and it derives from the Albanian word “mastor” which means gorgeous.
Kreshnik: This last name is found in Kosovo and it derives from the Turkish word “kursin” meaning mountain climber.
Klajdi: This last name is found in Tirana (Central Albania) and it derives from the Albanian word “klaj” meaning “to return”, to act after thinking, or even from the Turkish word “kul” which means slave.
Kukli: This last name is found in Tirana (Central Albania) and it derives either from the Albanian word “kukull” meaning “small hill”, or from the Turkish word “Kucuk” which also means small.
Lela: This last name is found in Pogradec (Eastern Albania) and it has been suggested that it derives either from the Albanian word “i Lel” meaning rich, or from the Greek word “Lila” meaning game.
Makolli: This last name is found in Shkodra (Northern Albania) and derives from the Turkish word “makul” which means bad.
Mehmeti: This last name is found in Kosovo and derives from the Turkish word “mahmut” which means blessed.
Muçaj: This last name is found in Elbasan (Central Albania) and it derives from the Albanian word “muçej” meaning rooster.
Mulliqi: This last name is found in Muçaj area of Elbasan (Central Albania) and it derives from the Albanian word “mulliq” which means little bull.
Muka: This last name is found both in Zadrima region as well as among Gorani people and it means to stand out, to be visible. It also derives from the Albanian word “mukat” which means mouse.
Nuhiji: This last name is found in Shkodra (Northern Albania) and it derives from the Turkish word “nuh” which means prophet.
Peci: This last name is found in Rahovec (Kosovo) and it derives from the Albanian word “Pec” which means head, or from the Turkish word “pic” which also means head.
Shoshi: This last name is found in Shkodra (Northern Albania) and it derives from the Albanian word “shosh” which means shy.
Sopa: This last name is found in Elbasan (Central Albania) and it derives from the Albanian word “sop” which means sieve.
Toka: This last name is found in Shkodra (Northern Albania) and it might derive from either the Albanian word “tokë” meaning earth, or from the Greek word “topos” which also means earth.
Tepelena: This last name is found in Kosovo and it derives from the Albanian word “topall” which means to go up, or to climb. The famous bearer of this last name was Ali Pasha Tepelena (Ali Pasha the Lion), who ruled much of Albania in the 18th century and was famous for his cruelty.
Vako: This last name is found in Kosovo, and it is derived from the Albanian word “vakë” which means time, or season.
Zoto: This last name is found in Shkodra (Northern Albania) and derives from either the old Greek word “zotos”, or from the Albanian word “zot” which means God.
Zeqiri: This last name is found in Skrapari (Southern Albania) and it derives from the Greek words “zeus” meaning Zeus, and “Qiriazi” meaning a clergyman.
Zhalari: This last name is found in Gjirokaster (Southern Albania) and it derives from the Albanian word “zhalar “which means red berries, or red flowers.
Zhilli: This last name is found in Puka (Central Albania) and it derives from the Albanian words “zilja”, meaning willow tree, or “zjarri”, meaning blaze.
Zogu: This last name is found in Skrapari (Southern Albania) and it comes either from the Albanian word “zog” which means eagle, or from the Turkish word “oguz” which also means eagle.
We hope that you learned some interesting facts about Albanian culture through their last names. If you have any suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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