Surname Yüksel - Meaning and Origin
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Yüksel: What does the surname Yüksel mean?
The last name Yüksel is an occupational name derived from Turkish. In Turkish, Yüksel translates to “high” or “upper,” likely referring to someone who occupied a high ranking or who was of high social status in their community. It can also be interpreted as someone who makes their way, or “ascends”, upwards in life—perhaps the word yüksel being derived from the verb, “yükselmek”.
Yüksel is a common family name in Turkey, and is likely to have been prominent since at least the late nineteenth century. As many families throughout the world have, the meaning of Yüksel has likely shifted and adapted throughout the years with many defining it differently today.
Today, the name often carries a positive connotation, representing someone who is brave, independent, successful, and persevering. It is the name of many respected poets, artists, scholars, and professionals. In some cases, it has further been used as a first or middle name to honor ancestry and legacy.
For those who carry the name Yüksel, it’s a strong reminder of their past combined with hope and inspiration for a better future. It is a powerful and enduring symbol for the resilience and potential of an individual, a family, and a people.
Order DNA origin analysisYüksel: Where does the name Yüksel come from?
The last name Yüksel is a Turkish surname that was historically most common in the region now occupied by modern Turkey. Today, many people with the surname Yüksel live in areas where Turks have settled, particularly in Europe, the United States, and Canada.
In Europe, the Yüksel name is most prominent in Germany, where they make up the second largest ethnic Turkish group in the country. It is estimated that there are around 290,000 Turks with the Yüksel surname living in Germany today. It is likely that many of them are descendants of guest workers who were invited to help rebuild the country after World War II.
In the United States and Canada, Turks with the Yüksel surname are less common but still present. After World War II, some Turks migrated to America and Canada in search of new opportunities and to escape the political unrest in their home country. Today, various branches of the Yüksel family are found throughout both countries.
The Yüksel surname is still quite common in Turkey, where it is estimated that roughly 40,000 people bear the same name. It has also been adopted by some Kurds and other ethnic minorities in the country. As Turkey continues to be a source of immigrants to countries around the world, the surname Yüksel is likely to continue to crop up in various places.
Variations of the surname Yüksel
The Turkish surname Yüksel has several variants and alternate spellings including Yukel, Yukell, Yuksel, and Yoksel. It is also sometimes spelled without the umlaut over the u, appearing as Yüksül, Yüksul, Yüksull, Yüksal, Yüksel, Yüksüll and Yuksel, Yüksül, Yüksull, Yuksull, and Yüksal.
The surname Yüksel is an occupational surname derived from the Turkish word yüksek, meaning “high” or “tall” in English. This surname was adopted by individuals who worked as tallers or lumbers in ancient times, which could indicate that the original bearers of this surname lived in the mountains or near forests.
The surname is also sometimes found written as Yükseli, Yükselli, Yukseli, Yüksalli, and Yüksüli. These surnames come from the Turkish word for “ascend” or “to rise,” which could indicate that the original surname holders emigrated or elevated their social status in some way.
The surname is also found as other variations, including Yukseloff or Yüksüloff, which would indicate that the original bearers of the surname were of Tatar ethnic origin. The same concept is extended to the variants Yuksuloff, Yoleyukseloff, Yakuseleff, Yuseleff, and Yuselev.
In addition to its various spellings and variants, the surname Yüksel also has several surnames of the same origin, including Yuckel, Yuckell, Skel, Skell, Yüksal, Meckel, Maksel, Macsel, and Mackell. These surnames are all derived from the same Turkish word, implying a connection between the original bearers and lumbers or tallers.
Famous people with the name Yüksel
1.Karem Yüksel: Karem Yüksel is a Turkish actress who has acted in multiple films and television shows since 1999. She has won many awards, including the Best Actress award at the Eurasia International Film Festival. 2.Zeynep Yüksel: Zeynep Yüksel is a Turkish singer and songwriter who has been active in the music industry since the 1980s. She has released nine successful albums and is best known for her bestselling singles "Kendime Sanatçı" and "Söyleme Ben Sana". 3.Mustafa Yüksel: Mustafa Yüksel is a Turkish businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder and chairman of Yüksel Finansal Hizmetler, a financial services company, as well as the Chairman of the Yüksel Foundation. 4.Halid Yüksel: Halid Yüksel was a Turkish footballer who played for Galatasaray in the 1950s and 1960s. He was part of the team when they won multiple national championships and the 1961–62 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. 5.Ertugrul Yüksel: Ertugrul Yüksel is a Turkish actor and model who has acted in multiple TV shows and movies since 2006. He is best known for his starring roles in the television shows Ankara Yanıyor and Şafak Türküsü. 6.Adnan Yüksel: Adnan Yüksel is a Turkish futsal player who has played for multiple clubs in the past, including Manisaspor and Eskisehirspor. He is currently playing for Cady Futsal Sivasspor. 7.Gözde Yüksel: Gözde Yüksel is a Turkish TV presenter, journalist, and author who has been active in the media industry since 2009. She is best known for hosting the variety show Birimiz Sıkıştı Biz, as well as the journalistic show Ekleyemiyorum Ben. 8.Kubilay Yüksel: Kubilay Yüksel is a Turkish professional footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for the Bozüyükspor team. He is known for his skill on the ball and for his ability to score from range.