Surname Pechlivanis - Meaning and Origin
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Pechlivanis: What does the surname Pechlivanis mean?
Pechlivanis is a Greek surname that is of unknown origin. It is thought to have been taken from the Greek word ‘Pechlovani’, meaning ‘shrewd’ or ‘clever’. As a Greek surname, Pechlivanis has been used throughout the centuries by families in many different regions of Greece.
Traditionally, the Pechlivanis surname is often found in the Chersonese area of Greece, which includes the important cities of Patras and Livadia. Here, the majority of the people who have used it can trace their families back to the time of the Byzantine Empire. The Pechlivanis family name is also present in other regions of Greece, including the islands of the Aegean Sea and the Ionian Sea.
The surname Pechlivanis is most likely derived from the Greek word ‘piknikova’, which translates to ‘quick-witted’ or ‘clever’. This meaning is well-suited to what the Pechlivanis surname represents – intelligence and wit, particularly within business-related matters.
In more recent times, the Pechlivanis surname is spreading throughout the world, as more people travel abroad and begin to take the family name with them. As a result, the meaning of the Pechlivanis surname continues to evolve and spread, as people interpret its meaning in their own way.
Order DNA origin analysisPechlivanis: Where does the name Pechlivanis come from?
The last name Pechlivanis is common in parts of the Balkans, especially in Albania, Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Montenegro. It is also found in Greece in small numbers, and is believed to originate from the Republic of Pechlivan.
In Albania, it is the 7th most common last name, with approximately 10,550 people carrying the surname. In Macedonia, it ranks 34th, with 1,511 people bearing the name. In Serbia, it is the 401st name, with 836 people claiming it as part of their identity.
In Bulgaria, people of the Pechlivanis surname make up 37th on the list of most used last names, with 901 people with the surname. In Montenegro, figures report that 961 people have the surname.
Due to the large Albanian diaspora, the Pechlivanis name is also found in Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. It has also been found in the United States, with populations over 40 in the states of New York, California, and New Jersey.
The exact origin of the surname is unknown, but is believed to be derived from the Republic of Pechlivan, which was a state that existed in the Ottoman Empire before it was destroyed by the Serbs in the 13th century. Over the following centuries, Albanians, Serbs, and other ethnic groups in the Balkans adopted the name.
Variations of the surname Pechlivanis
The surname Pechlivanis is an Eastern Orthodox Greek name that derives from the personal name Pakhlavs which means “cricket” or “mallet.” Common variants of the surname include Pekhlivanis, Peklewanis, Pekhlivanos, Pekhlivanidis and Pekhlivani.
Spellings of the surname may vary depending on the script used to record the original name. Variants of the surname that are often encountered in the Latin alphabet include Pechelivanis, Pechelivan Kochlivanis, Pecilivanis, Pechelivon, Packlewanis and Pachlivanis.
Surnames related to the Pechlivanis family include Bechlivanis, Machlivanis, Pontichlivanis, Prechlivanis, Prochlivanis and Sachlivanis which all have a similar origin. Additionally, the surname is related to the derivatives Pekhlivanides and Pechlivanes, which are both derived from the same root as the surname Pechlivanis.
These surnames may be found among families of both Greek and Albanian origin, although the root of the name—Pakhlavs—originates from the Greek language. The surname is considered to be a patronymic name and is associated with the Eastern Orthodox Church. The surname has been found in nations including Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, and Turkey where many Greek-speaking populations reside.
Famous people with the name Pechlivanis
- Thanos Pechlivanis: economist and professor at the Department of Economics at the University of Athens.
- George Pechlivanis: Former Greek basketball player, now an assistant coach for the Greek National Team.
- Nikos Pechlivanis: Greek footballer who currently plays for AEK Athens.
- Miltos Pechlivanis: Former Greek professional footballer who played for AEK Athens and Panathinaikos.
- Christos Pechlivanis: Greek field hockey player who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
- Stephania Pechlivanis: Greek poet, playwright, and television personality.
- Christina Pechlivanis: Greek author, poet, and translator.
- Angelos Pechlivanis: Greek sculptor, painter, and ceramic artist.
- Stergios Pechlivanis: Greek politician who served as a member of the Hellenic Parliament.
- Vagelis Pechlivanis: Greek singer, songwriter, and actor.