Surname Rajovic - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'R'
Rajovic: What does the surname Rajovic mean?
The last name Rajovic is of South Slavic origin, deriving from the region of Montenegro. Meaning "son of Rajo," Rajovic is a patronymic surname created from the given name Rajo, itself derived from an old South Slavic noun meaning "that which shines," usually referencing a beam of light.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, the Rajovic family was among the many Serbian aristocrats who settled in Montenegro, a region of the Balkans located in southeastern Europe. This mountainous area is best known for its strong sense of national and cultural identity, often exemplified by traditional folk songs and costumes.
The Rajovics have a long and complicated history rooted in Montenegro. They were major players in the history of Prince-Bishoprin of Montenegro during the late Ottoman Empire, and it is not uncommon to see Rajovic's today living in many towns across Montenegro.
However, today, the Rajovic name can be seen around the world. People bearing this surname have found homes in several different countries, such as Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, France, United States, and Canada, displaying the family's strong connection to the South Slavic region.
Today, this surname is most commonly used to identify people with ethnic Serbian, Montenegrin, Bosnian, and Croatian backgrounds. The Rajovic family is one of many who represent the diverse and distinctive history of the South Slavic region, stemming from their ancestral origins in Montenegro.
Order DNA origin analysisRajovic: Where does the name Rajovic come from?
The last name Rajovic is most commonly found in Serbia and Montenegro. It is widespread across the former Yugoslavian countries of Bosnia, Herzegovina, Slovenia, Croatia, as well as Albania and Romania. It is also found in diaspora populations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States.
The surname is derived from Raj, a personal name that has its root in the Sanskrit for king. It is a popular name amongst the Eastern Orthodox population and has since been used as a last name or as part of a compound surname.
In Serbia and Montenegro, the most commmon variation of the name is Rajović. Other common variations in this region include Rajočvić, Rajačvić, Rajivić, Rajević, and Rajković. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is also known as Rajiković.
Outside of the former Yugoslavian region, the last name is commonly found amongst Australian, Canadian, and American diaspora populations. It is also commonly found in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Variations of the surname Rajovic
The surname Rajovic has its origin in the Balkan countries of South-Eastern Europe, primarily in Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia. This surname, a patronymic derived from the personal name Rajo or Rajko, indicates a son of Rajo or Rajko. It is common to modern-day Serbian-Croatian-Bosnian surnames and is commonly transliterated into the English language.
Variants of Rajovic include Rajevic, Rajijevic, Rajkovic, Rajevski, Rajic, and Rajkovich. An alternate spelling is Rajowich, a name used primarily by Croatian-American immigrants. All of these surnames share the same roots as Rajovic, and any of these spellings could be used to refer to the same family lineage.
Surnames of similar origin, which began with the personal name Rajo, may come from the related personal name Rajo, which is closely associated with the South Slavic name Rajko. Close variants of Rajo include Rajolovic, Rajolovitch, Rajkov, Rajik, and Rajelovich. These surnames are often used interchangeably with those derived from the name Rajo, and they refer to the same family.
Overall, the surname Rajovic is rooted in South-Eastern Europe, and many alternate spellings, surnames of a similar origin, and relatedpersonal names indicate the same family lineage. All of these variants and spellings are associated with the Balkan region, where the name Rajo is most prevalent.
Famous people with the name Rajovic
- Milica Rajović: Serbian tennis player
- Vinko Rajović: Serbian pop singer
- Drażen Rajović: Croatian former handball player
- Bojan Rajović: Serbian footballer
- Milan Rajović: Serbian actor
- Dragan Rajović: Serbian football manager
- Damir Rajović: Croatian basketballer
- Lazar Rajović: Serbian basketball player
- Zoran Rajović: Serbian volleyball player
- Nikola Rajovic: Serbian judoka