What is the origin of the last name Nedeljkovic?

The surname Nedeljković is a Slavic patronymic derived from the given name Nedeljko (meaning "holiday" or "feast day" in Serbian). It originally emerged among the South Slavic peoples, specifically among Serbs, Croats, and Montenegrins. The suffix "-ević" is a common Slavic patronymic indicating "son of Nedeljko." This surname has various spellings due to linguistic and transcription differences, such as Nedeljkovič, Nedelković, Nedelkoski, Nedelkovski, etc.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Nedeljkovic

The meaning and origin of the last name Nedeljkovic

The surname Nedeljković is of Serbian origin, derived from the Slavic personal name Nedeljo (meaning "Sunday") and the diminutive suffix -ić, which denotes a son or descendant. It is typically a patronymic surname, indicating that it was originally used to denote a relationship to an individual named Nedeljo. The name itself comes from the Slavic word for "day of rest," referring to Sunday, as it was considered the day of Christ's resurrection in Christianity. The surname Nedeljković is commonly found among Serbs and other South Slavic peoples.

Geographical distribution of the last name Nedeljkovic

The surname Nedeljković is primarily associated with countries that were once part of the former Yugoslavia, most notably Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to data from FamilySearch, it ranks as one of the top 500 most common surnames in Serbia, with a significant concentration in the regions of Šumadija, Vojvodina, and Kosovo-Metohija. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the name is predominantly found in the entities of Republika Srpska and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly in the cities of Sarajevo, Banja Luka, and Mostar. Smaller populations can also be found in other parts of Europe, North America, and Australia, due to migration from the Balkans during the 20th century.

Variants and spellings of the last name Nedeljkovic

The surname Nedeljković has several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration and regional pronunciation. Here are some common versions:

1. Nedeljkovic - This is the most common spelling, found primarily among those with Serbian origins.
2. Nedeljkovitch - An alternative spelling that adds an additional 't' to the end of the surname.
3. Nedeljkovich - Another variant with a slight alteration in spelling, replacing the final 'c' with a 'ch'.
4. Nedeljkovskij - A Russian transliteration of the surname, with the addition of a 'ski' at the end.
5. Nedeljkovsky - An alternative transcription that includes a '-sky' suffix.
6. Niedeljkovic/Niedeljkovitch/Niedeljkovich - These variations could potentially arise from individuals who have anglicized their surname during immigration or assimilation processes, with the addition of the 'n' prefix to better conform to English phonetic rules.

It is important to note that these spellings may be used interchangeably by different individuals and families, and there may be no definitive "correct" version of the surname Nedeljković.

Famous people with the last name Nedeljkovic

Notable individuals with the surname Nedeljkovic include:

1. Filip Nedeljković (born 2002), a Serbian professional ice hockey goaltender who currently plays for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Red Wings in the second round (37th overall) of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

2. Aleksandar Nedeljković (born 1984), a Serbian football coach and former player who played as a defender. He started his coaching career at FK Čukarički in 2015, leading the team to promotion to the Serbian SuperLiga in his first season.

3. Nebojša Nedeljković (born 1946), a Serbian architect and urban planner. He was the Mayor of Belgrade from 1982 to 1986, playing a significant role in the reconstruction of the city following the devastating 1963 Belgrade floods.

These individuals have made significant contributions in their respective fields, spanning sports, coaching, and urban planning.

Genealogical research on the last name Nedeljkovic

The Nedeljkovic surname originates from Serbia and is of Slavic origin, specifically South Slavic. It is a patronymic surname derived from the given name Nedeljo, an old Slavic name related to the word "nedela," meaning "non-working day" or "Sunday." The Nedeljkovics were primarily Serbian Orthodox Christians and the surname can be found in regions such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, and Croatia. Notable figures with this surname include NHL player Alexandar Nedeljkovic, a professional ice hockey goaltender for the Detroit Red Wings, and Aleksandar Nedeljković, a Serbian politician who served as the Mayor of Belgrade from 2016 to 2020. The spelling variations of this surname may include Nedelkovic, Nedeljkovitch, and others, due to differences in transliteration and local dialects.

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NomOrigine Team
About the author :

NomOrigine Team

Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.

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