Surname Mercan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Mercan: What does the surname Mercan mean?
The last name Mercan is a common surname in Turkey and means Merchants in Turkish, derived from medieval Turkic languages. People with this last name are likely direct descendants of silk and spice traders, merchants, and caravanserais that once populated the then regional capital centers.
The merchant-related names come from a long and venerable history in Turkey. Traders used the Silk Road and other routes to deliver goods to their customers. The merchants established a vast network of trade routes, taking advantage of the opportunities in different geographical locations. Many of these merchants eventually established trading bases in different towns and cities along their routes, helping to shape the cultural landscape of the region.
These merchants also developed new ways of doing business and of accounting for exchanges, allowing the product and the exchange rate to move freely and allowing buyers and sellers to get the most out of their transactions. This was especially important to the merchants, who had travel expenses to consider along the way.
This long-standing merchant tradition eventually produced the last name Mercan, which continues to be a familiar name in many households in Turkey. The term has come to signify somebody who is reliable, hardworking, and can always be counted on to work diligently in order to complete the task. It also denotes somebody who has a propensity to take on multiple roles. This is a characteristic that is seen in many merchant families, from trade to business to lending money.
Order DNA origin analysisMercan: Where does the name Mercan come from?
The last name Mercan appears to be most popular in Turkey and countries with a Turkish population. It is believed to be a Turkish name which originated in the medieval period when surnames were adopted. The Mercan family held prominent positions in Turkey's leading dynasties, making them an influential family of feudal lords. This likely contributed to the spread of the Mercan surname in Turkey.
In addition to Turkey, the Mercan name can be found in smaller numbers in other parts of the world. The Republic of Macedonia is home to many with the Mercan surname, and the name can also be found in Bulgaria, France, Azerbaijan, the United States, and Canada. Some of those bearing the Mercan surname may be the descendants of Turks who moved to these countries over the years, often for economic reasons.
In terms of its meaning, "Mercan" is derived from the word "mercan" or "merchandiser" in Turkish, hinting at the potential historic occupation of some of those bearing the surname. In terms of its pronunciation, "Mer" is usually pronounced like "mare", and "can" like "John".
Today, the Mercan surname continues to be a popular name in these regions, with some even assuming it as their stage name, such as Turkish pop singer Mercan Dede.
Variations of the surname Mercan
The surname Mercan is of Turkish origin and is usually found among people of Turkish, Albanian, Bulgarian, and Arabic descent. It is a quite popular surname in Turkey and those countries with a strong Turkish influence.
The variants, spelling and surnames of same origin of Mercan include Mercan, Mercen, Mercenay, Merchan, Marchan, and Mercinay. Other variations are Markan, Sarkan, and Marcan. In some parts of Europe, the variation Sarkan is particularly common.
Mercan is a topographical surname which originated from the word "marka" (landmark). It is believed to have been given to people who lived near prominent landmarks, such as bridges, fords, mountain passes, etc.
In Albania, it is spelled as Mukan or Mukhan. It has evolved to Mrokan or Mrukhan in Bulgaria while it has become Markan or Markhan in some Arabic-speaking regions.
In Greece, the surname is spelt as Mertzan and in some parts of Russia and the former Soviet Republics, it has become Mertsen. Similarly, in Estonia, it is pronounced as Mertsen while in Poland, it is spelled as Mertzen.
Variations of the surname can also be found in some other parts of Europe, such as France, Italy, and Hungary, where it is pronounced as Merchan, Marcen, and Marcsan, respectively.
Famous people with the name Mercan
- Itay Mercan: Israeli actor and performer
- Orjzan Mercan: Bosnian footballer
- Fatma Mercan: Turkish netball player
- Türker Mercan: Turkish diplomat
- Cihan Mercan: Turkish politician
- Fahrettin Mercan: Turkish Olympic judoka
- Zeyhan Mercan: Turkish sprinter
- Özer Mercan: Turkish footballer
- Rasim Mercan: Turkish footballer
- Halime Mercan: Turkish official
- Şenol Mercan: Turkish footballer
- Yadigar Mercan: Turkish-Azerbaijani long-distance runner
- Bülent Mercan: Turkish long-distance runner
- Barış Mercan: Turkish actor, director and screenwriter
- Şefik Mercan: renowned Turkish musician
- Çağlar Mercan: Turkish footballer
- Levent Mercan : Turkish footballer
- Cemal Mercan: Turkish film producer
- Stelyo Berkan Mercan: Bulgarian footballer
- Mehmet Mercan: Turkish footballer
- Hakan Mercan: Turkish footballer