Are All Serbian Surnames in ‘Ic’ or ‘I’?

It’s a common misconception that all Serbian surnames end with the letter “Ic” or a similar “I”. To clear up this myth and explore the complexities of Serbian surnames, let’s delve into the history and variations of these names.

The ‘Ic’ Surname – A Common Myth

Much like Serbian literature and science have produced luminaries such as Momo Kapor, a famous writer and painter, or Nikola Tesla, the renowned inventor, and Voya Kostunica, a former president of Serbia, it’s important to recognize that not all Serbian surnames follow the ‘Ic’ pattern. In fact, the vast majority of Serbian surnames do not end this way. Names such as Kapor, Tesla, and Kostunica are just a few examples of names that don’t conform to this stereotype.

Historical Context of Serbian Surnames

One of the more amusing stories about Serbian surnames involves the Austro-Hungarian census. According to a professor, the Austrian clerks tasked with recording names during the census in the military frontier jokingly recorded absurd surnames. Imagine a scene where a clerk from the military administration inquired about a Serbian name, and instead of answering as expected, the individual responded with something like “Djoka Bure barrel.”

Subsequently, this name was recorded, and when the payrolls were compiled, one would find the name “Bure” among the others such as “Petrovi?” and “Jovanovi?.” This anecdote illustrates how some Serbian surnames are the result of playful and perhaps accidental naming.

Legitimate ‘Ic’ Surnames and Their Meaning

While not all Serbian surnames end with an “Ic,” a significant portion of them do, especially in historical contexts. In these cases, the surname indicates a connection to a specific ancestor. For example, “Petrovic” means “son of Peter.” This tradition of naming is seen in many other Balkan regions, such as Croatia, Montenegro, and Slovenia, where a similar naming convention exists.

The “Ic” ending serves as a diminutive form, similar to endings in other European languages. For instance, in English, you might have names ending in “-son” such as Jackson, Johnson, and Robertson. In Denmark, names ending in “-sen” such as Andersen, and in Sweden, names ending in “-son” such as Andersson serve the same function.

Other Serbian Surname Endings

In addition to “Ic,” there are other endings commonly found in Serbian surnames. These include:

These endings are more common in regions adjacent to Serbia, such as Croatia, Bulgaria, and Slovenia. For instance, in Croatia, you might find names like Pletikosa, Pletikosic, and Andlojsek.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while it is true that a significant proportion of Serbian surnames end with the “Ic” ending, it is incorrect to say that all of them do. The variety of Serbian surnames reflects the rich history and diverse cultural influences in Serbia, encompassing folk traditions, historical records, and playful naming conventions.