Surname Mardin - Meaning and Origin

Mardin: What does the surname Mardin mean?

Mardin is a widely recognized surname originating from the Mardin Province in Turkey. Researchers have suggested that the name is of Armenian, Kurdish, and Arabic origin, potentially referencing “sanctuary” in the Kurdish language, or “guard” in the Arabic language, in reference to the status of Mardin as a regional stronghold.

The city of Mardin was mentioned in ancient texts dating as far back as the 8th century, and the province was formed in the 19th century. It is nestled in the mountains of the Anatolian Plateau, and outlines the border of Syria and Turkey. Although, at one time, Christians and Jews made up most of the population of the region, the majority of the citizens are now Muslim due to population movement in the area.

The name Mardin carries a long history as a refuge for persecuted communities, and is a reminder of the city’s distinctive culture. It symbolizes the many cultures of Anatolia that have blended together and created a vibrant, resilient region.

Nowadays, the Mardin surname is still seen in Turkey, Kurdistan, and the Middle East, and is scattered around the world as individuals and families emigrated away from the region. In many cases, the name carries a strong sense of personal identity, pride, and resilience, qualities that define the people of the Mardin region.

Mardin: Where does the name Mardin come from?

The last name Mardin is commonly found in the region of southeastern Anatolia in Turkey. The name is thought to be of Kurdish origin and is linked to the region of Mardin, an ancient city located in the province of Mardin in Turkey. This city has been populated since at least Neolithic times and has a significant influence on the culture and population of the region today.

In terms of modern demographics, the last name Mardin is most commonly found in southeastern Turkey and parts of northern Iraq, specifically among the Kurds. In Turkey, the name Mardin is especially common in the provinces of Mardin, Batman, Siirt and Diyarbakir. It is estimated that roughly 28,000 people living in Turkey share the name.

The name Mardin is also common in other parts of the Middle East, such as Syria, Lebanon and Israel, as well as in Europe, notably France, the Netherlands and Germany. Smaller numbers of people with the last name Mardin can be found in North America and other parts of the world.

Variations of the surname Mardin

The surname Mardin is commonly spelled as Marden, Mariden, and Mardens. It is known to be a largely British variation of the original surname, Mardin. The Mardin surname originates from a German surname spelling of Martin.

The Marden variant is an Anglicized version of the surname Martin, primarily used in Britain. The Anglo-Norman version of the surname includes many French variants including Mariden and merged with the English forms, such as Mardin and Mardens.

The Mardin name was first present in the United Kingdom in the early 1700s when Samuel Marden (1702-1798) married a Hannah in London in 1730. During the 1700s and 1800s in the UK, many of the Mardin's changed their spelling of the name to Marden, Mariden, and Mardens. Some of them emigrated to the United States, Canada, and Australia, where the spelling of the surname changed again to Mardin, Marden, Mariden, and Mardens.

The name is found around the world, especially in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. Other variations on the surname in other countries include: Maradan in Portugal, Maradana in India, Maradan in Russia, Maradan in India, and Marić in Serbia.

In the United States, the variants of Mardin range primarily from Marden to Maridon, while in Canada and the United Kingdom the most popular spelling is Mardin.

Famous people with the name Mardin

• Arif Mardin: Music Producer and Grammy Award-Winning Record Engineer who worked with many musical artists including Aretha Franklin, Bette Midler, Chaka Khan and Norah Jones.
• Ahmet Ertegun: Lyricist and organizer of Atlantic Records, a label that Arif Mardin helmed.
• Nezih Mardin: Illustrator and cartoonist responsible for many popular and influential Turkish comic books, including Batman and Superman.
• Yalın Mardin: Psychiatrist and head of the Department of Psychiatry at Ankara University.
• Yılmaz Mardin: Turkish academic and professor of social sciences at Ankara University.
• Güngör Mardin: Former professor of sociology and political science at Ankara University and President of the Social Sciences Institute at the same university.
• Orhan Mardin: Actor and playwright who was the first Turkish actor to receive the Most Valuable Player award from the National Theater Bull.
• Sultan Mardin: Electronic music producer and founder of the progressive house record label, Mardin Music.
• Yıldız Mardin: Journalist and founding member of the Democratic Progress Party in Turkey.
• Yılmaz Mardin: Actor and filmmaker known for his award-winning films, such as Grass and Land of Promise.
• Sunay Mardin: Turkish football player who plays for the Istanbul-based Fenerbahçe SK, and won the 2007-08 Süper Lig championship with the team.
• Sema Mardin: Emancipation activist and one of the first female members of the Turkish Parliament.
• Can Mardin: International psychologist and professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, author of the book, Social Engineering in the Twentieth Century: a Study in Perception and Ideology.

Other surnames

MardickMardicksMardini