Surname Murat - Meaning and Origin
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Murat: What does the surname Murat mean?
The last name Murat is a French name of Turkish origin. It likely originates from the name of Ottoman Empire leader Sultan Murad I.
Murat is a very common French name in the south of France, particularly in areas that were historically connected to the Ottoman Empire. It first started to become popular in the 1700s following the death of Murat I, and is since associated with both French and Turkish culture.
It is thought that the name Murat has several potential meanings, including ‘intelligent’, ‘wise’, and ‘athletic’. The name is also associated with good luck, courage, and ambition.
Murat is not only commonly used as a surname. It is also widely used in Turkish language as a given name for boys. The name is particularly popular in some regions of Turkey, as well as in the Muslim-majority countries of Morocco, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan.
People with the last name Murat are said to be ambitious, humble, charismatic, and independent. They are typically strong individuals who possess a great deal of ambition and confidence. Many of them are independent thinkers and often take their own life paths while being driven by their own ideas and visions. As result, Murats have often achieved great success through hard work and determination.
Order DNA origin analysisMurat: Where does the name Murat come from?
The last name Murat is primarily associated with populations in the Mediterranean region, particularly in Turkey, Greece, and the Levant. It is believed to originate from the French name “Murat”, derived from the Latin name Mauritius.
In Turkey, the last name Murat is very common, particularly in the western provinces, most notably in those bordering the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas. Today it is primarily found in Izmir, Bursa, Antalya, and Istanbul, as well as many of the smaller cities and towns in the country.
The last name Murat can also found in Greece, particularly in Crete and surrounding islands. This could indicate that the Murats there could have possibly migrated from Turkey following the Ottoman period or during the Greek-Turkish population exchange that occurred in 1921.
The last name Murat is also occasionally found in Albania, Lebanon, and Syria. Here, the name is likely derived from the French spelling of “Murat” or possibly even from foreign influences related to the Ottoman period.
In France, the Murat surname is found particularly in the southwest region of the country. Here, the name is believed to have descended from fleeing persecutions, whether they be French Protestants or French colonists escaping the turmoil in the Maghreb region.
Finally, the last name Murat can also be found in various other parts of the world (mostly the Americas and Oceania), where it likely entered through a combination of immigration and international travel.
Variations of the surname Murat
The surname Murat has both French and Turkish origins and the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin vary based on each.
The French name Murat has been used since at least the 13th century and typically derived from the personal given name of Murat, itself derived from the Arabic element mur meaning "bitter" or "lord". Alternate French spellings of the surname include Murato, Muratte, Murato, Muratto, Muratie, Muratier, Muratiere, Murator, and Muratore.
The Turkish variant of Murat is most likely derived from the Arabic elements mur meaning "bitter" or "lord" and at meaning "the one who gives". This variant is also found in place names around the region and can be spelled in a variety of ways: Murat, Murad, Mourad, Muharrem, Muharram, Muratt, Muratoğlu, Muradoglu, Muratoglu, Muratoff, and Muratcı.
It is also possible that the surname Murat originates from the Italian surname Murati, which in turn is derived from the Italian word 'murato', meaning 'surrounded by walls'. This variant can be derived from a place called Murata or Muratti, near chiavari in Liguria. Variations of this surname include Muratti, Muratte, Muraty, Muratty, Muratti, Muratie, Muratore, Muratori, Muratini, Muratoro, and Muratino.
The spelling and surname variants of the surname Murat may also vary depending on the language in which it is written, but these are the more recognized variations of the name.
Famous people with the name Murat
- Joachim Murat: Napoleon's brother-in-law, King of Naples
- Achille Murat: Joachim Murat's brother and War Commissioner of France in the beginning of 19th century
- Caroline Murat: Joachim Murat's wife and Napoleon Bonaparte's sister
- Andrea Murat– Ancestor of Joachim Murat, who was the first King of Naples
- Charlotte Murat: Daughter of Joachim and Caroline Murat, Grand Duchess of Berg and Cleves
- Gérard Murat: Actor of French cinema
- Édouard Murat: 19th century composer and musician
- Jean-François Murat: French singer and songwriter
- Giovanni Battista Murat: Italian Baroque painter
- François Murat: French tennis player
- Manon Murat: French former rhythmic gymnast
- Daniel Murat: French ski mountaineer
- David Murat: French tennis player
- Maurice Murat: French World War II flying ace
- François-Michel Murat: 19th century French writer
- André Murat: French sculptor