Surname Gökcek - Meaning and Origin

Gökcek: What does the surname Gökcek mean?

The last name Gökcek is of Turkish origin and is typically found in the country's central and eastern regions. The name itself translates literally to "sky-hawk," and is composed of two separate words – gök meaning "sky" and çek meaning "hawk." It is often assumed to relate to the person possessing qualities associated with hawks and the sky, such as ambition, determination, and finesse.

The Gökcek surname is linked to Turkish folklore as a reference to Ottoman supremacy and given to those with the courage to stand tall when faced with difficult challenges. According to this tradition, Gökcek people may refer to themselves as "dawn-breakers," due to being the first ones to leave their homes in the morning and remain awake to face the task ahead.

In modern days, Gökcek is a common last name among Turkish people, with notable people such as Mehmet Gökcek, a former mayor of Ankara; Sevahire Gökcek, a popular folk singer; and Süleyman Gökçek, a renowned architect. It is typically assumed that the Gökcek family is known for its perseverance, traditional values, and strong commitment to fulfilling its responsibilities.

The Gökcek surname is a meaningful symbol of a determined spirit and independence that stands the test of time. It is a reminder to never give up and to have courage when facing difficult obstacles. It is an identity associated with the resilience of Turkish people and their ability to innovate and create in the face of hardship.

Gökcek: Where does the name Gökcek come from?

The last name Gökcek is most commonly found today in Turkey. Specifically, the name is associated with the Turkish province of Muğla in the southwestern coastal region of the country. Records indicate that the Gökcek family has lived in Muğla since at least the early eighteenth century.

The Gökcek surname can also be found, albeit less prominently, in the Turkish provinces of Balıkesir in the Marmara region and in Erzincan in the eastern Black Sea region. Additionally, there are Gökceks living in other parts of Europe, in countries varying from Germany to the Netherlands to Bulgaria.

The Gökcek, like many other Turkish surnames, is derived from a personal trait of its original ancestor. In the case of Gökcek, the name is believed to have originated from the expression “gök ceken,” which refers to a home that had a smoke stack - a chimney - reaching into the sky.

The Gökcek surname is also quite common in the Turkish-American community in the United States of America. Several Gökceks have emigrated to the United States from Turkey and other countries with a large population of Turkish people since the early twentieth century.

There is a prominent Gökcek family living in the United States today. Led by the highly esteemed businessman Ozkan Gökcek, the Gökceks are a successful and well-known family of entrepreneurs, inventors, and computer scientists – with many members having achieved success and prominent status in their respective fields.

Variations of the surname Gökcek

The surname Gökcek is of Turkish origin and is derived from the Old Turkic term Gōkček, meaning "blue eyes". It can be spelled in a variety of ways and its variants and surnames of the same origin include the following:

Gokcek - This spelling is almost identical to the original Turkish spelling and is usually used in modern Turkish.

Göcek - This spelling is a slight variation of the Turkish spelling and is often used in modern Turkish.

Gokchek - This variation is a simplified spelling of Gökcek often used in English-speaking countries.

Göchek - This variation is similar to Göcek and is often used in modern Turkish.

Gökchik - This variation is a slightly alternate spelling of Gökcek and is often used in modern Turkish.

Gökçek - This spelling is quite similar to the original Turkish spelling and is often used in English-speaking countries.

Köcek - This variation is a slight alteration of Göcek and is often used in modern Turkish.

Kökcek - This variation has a slight change in the pronunciation of Gökcek and is often used in modern Turkish.

Kökcem - This variation is a slight alteration of Gökcem and is often used in modern Turkish.

Kökchek - This variation is a slightly simplified spelling of Gökcek and is often used in English-speaking countries.

Kökche - This variation is a slight alteration of Gökce and is often used in modern Turkish.

Kökçek - This variation is very similar to the original spelling and is often used in English-speaking countries.

Kökçem - This variation is a slight alteration of Gökcem and is often used in modern Turkish.

Famous people with the name Gökcek

• Erdogan Gökcek: Erdogan Gökcek is the former mayor of Ankara, who held office from 1994 to 2017. He was known for his sometimes controversial policies, such as demolishing old buildings in the historical district of Ankara to build skyscrapers.
• Mustafa Gökcek: Mustafa Gökcek is a Turkish retired professional footballer, who played 114 matches for Trabzonspor and 11 matches for Turkey national football team.
• Can Gökcek: Can Gökcek is a Turkish actress, best known for her roles in the movies Eye of Istanbul (2015), Secret of Love (2015) and Christmas in Kurdoglu (2017).
• Cem Gökcek: Cem Gökcek is a Turkish graphic designer and cartoonist, noted for his creation of the comics character Excalibur Cat (2007). He has worked with several newspapers and magazines.
• Durmaz Gökcek: Durmaz Gökcek is a Turkish taekwondo athlete, who won the silver medal at the 2018 Mediterranean Games. He also competed in the 2016 Olympic Games.
• volunteered Inan Gökcek: Inan Gökcek is a Turkish-born American activist, who fights for the rights of refugees and minority populations. He is a founding partner of several organizations, such as The Respect All Partnerships.
• Salim Gökcek: Salim Gökcek is a Turkish actor, best known for his roles in Ata Demirer movies, such as G.O.R.A. (2004) and Kasaba (1997).

Other surnames

GökceGökcen