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Last Name Raljevic

What is the origin of the last name Raljevic?

The surname Raljević is of Slavic origin, specifically Serbian. It is derived from a given name or a geographical location. The name Ralja was a medieval Slavic personal name, which evolved into Rale in some regions and Ralija for women. Over time, the surname Raljević developed as a patronymic from these names, indicating that the original bearer was a son or descendant of someone named Ralja or Rale. Alternatively, it could also be derived from a place name, with "Ralja" being the name of a village in Serbia. In this case, the surname would have been formed by adding the suffix "-ević," which is a common Slavic patronymic that indicates family descent from a particular ancestor. In summary, the surname Raljević originated in Serbia and has roots either in a personal name or a geographical location.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Raljevic

The meaning and origin of the last name Raljevic

The surname Raljević is a South Slavic name of Serbian origin, specifically from regions that were part of historical Serbia. It's derived from a number of given names, primarily Račo (a short form of Radomir, which means "peaceful rule"), Radoslav ("happy glory"), and Radovan ("rule happiness"). The "-ević" ending is a patronymic suffix denoting that the original name-bearer's father had one of these names. This surname has been distributed primarily in Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia due to historical population movements and settlement patterns within the Balkan Peninsula.

Geographical distribution of the last name Raljevic

The surname Raljević is predominantly found in the Balkan region, specifically within the South Slavic countries of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia, and North Macedonia. It originates from the South Slavic ethnic group and is most common among individuals with Serbian or Croatian ancestry. The name is derived from the place name Ralja, which can be found in modern-day Serbia, suggesting that the surname may have originally been geographically descriptive or topographical. Additionally, there are also smaller populations of people with the last name Raljević living in other parts of Europe, North America, and Australia, due to migration over the centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Raljevic

The surname Raljević can have several variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration from the Cyrillic alphabet used in Serbia, where the name originates, to the Latin alphabet commonly used in English. Some common variants include:

1. Raljic
2. Raljevich
3. Raljevitch
4. Ralljević (phonetic variation)
5. Rajljević (a Serbian variant with a different stress pattern)
6. Ralliévitch (French spelling)
7. Ралјевић, the original Cyrillic version of the name.

The exact spelling can depend on personal preference and regional conventions for transliteration from Cyrillic to Latin script.

Famous people with the last name Raljevic

Notable individuals with the surname Raljević include:

1. Nebojša Raljević (born 1964), a Serbian musician and singer-songwriter who gained popularity in the former Yugoslavia during the 1980s and 1990s with his band Smak.

2. Dragan Raljević (born 1977), a Serbian basketball coach who is currently an assistant coach for Fenerbahçe Beko, a professional basketball club based in Istanbul, Turkey.

3. Aleksandar Raljević (born 1986), a Serbian handball player who plays as a center back for the French team Montpellier Handball and the Serbia national team. He won the World Championship in 2017 and the European Championship in 2014.

4. Miloš Raljević (born 1983), a Serbian handball player who plays for the club Montpellier Handball and the Serbia national team. He won the World Championship in 2017 and the European Championship in 2016 and 2018.

5. Nikola Raljević (born 1992), a Serbian professional basketball player who plays for Crvena zvezda of the ABA League and the EuroLeague. He won the Adriatic League championship in 2016 with Cibona Zagreb and the Serbian Superleague championship in 2018 with Crvena zvezda.

These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields, leaving a lasting impact in music, sports, and coaching.

Genealogical research on the last name Raljevic

The Raljevic surname is primarily of Serbian origin and is associated with the region of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia. The name is believed to have been derived from various places named Ralja or Ravni, meaning 'flat' in Old Slavonic, found throughout these regions. Historically, many Raljevic families can be traced back to the medieval period, with notable mentions in the 14th century during the reign of the Serbian Empire. The family was predominantly of noble or landowning status and played significant roles in regional politics and military affairs. Notable figures bearing the name include Petar Raljevic, a 15th-century Serbian military commander, and Nikola Raljevic, a 19th-century Montenegrin military leader. The diaspora of the Raljevic family can be found in various parts of Europe, North America, and Australia, due to historical migrations and conflicts.

Last name distribution maps

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Sources & References

About the author :
NomOrigine Team
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.
Last updated : 30 July 2025

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