Shortest last names within the population of Croatia

Surnames that look like abbreviations (or as if being Chinese)

Two letter surnames are very uncommon in among European nations. Only very few persons bear such family names in Croatia. However, about dozen two-letter surnames can be found among the population. Since most of them are probably abreviations of longer Croatian surnames, it is difficult to determine their origin.

The Ač family name is the most frequent two-letter surname in Croatia with 47 persons bearing it. Up to nine persons with this surname live in Osijek, six in Vinkovci and four in each Bjelovar and Satnica Đakovačka. Ač surname can also be found in Kalinovac (3), Ploče (3), Rovinj (3), Čepin near Osijek (2), Dugo Selo (2), Sisak (2), Maglenča near Veliko Trojstvo (2), Zagreb City (2), Koprivnica (1), Višnjevac near Osijek (1) and Široko polje near Đakovo (1). We included this surname in the Directory of Family Names.

The Il family name is the second most frequent two-letter family name in Croatia with 21 persons bearing it. It has a strong presence in the village of Mece near Darda (twelve persons). It can also be found in Đurđenovac (5), Darda (2) and Šumarina near Beli Manastir (2). Check the Direcory of Family Names for this surname.

The Fa family name is borne by 20 persons, five of which live in tiny village of Trojeglava near Dežanovac. It can also be found in Vinkovci (3), Vukovar (3), Petrovci near Bogdanovci (3), Prekopakra near Pakrac (2), Zaprešić (2), Mikluševci near Tompojevci (1) and Pula (1). Included in the the Directory.

The Em family name is probably the only two-letter last name in Croatia for which we believe to know the origin. It came from german word ehm with the meaning uncle. It can be found in Garešnički Brestovac near Garešnica (6), Rijeka (3) and Zagreb (4).

Other two-letter surnames in Croatia are: Jo (seven persons bear that name, all from Osijek), Ek (Osijek, four persons), Fo (Kutina, four persons), De (four in Zagreb, two in Rijeka and one in Garešnica), Re (one person in Medulin) and Uj (two persons in Zagreb).

All articles from Croatian genealogy web site

Female given names as a motivator for Croatian surnames A matronymic surname would be typically created using a name of a women who particularly excelled in a community, or was famous because of some fortunate or less fortunate circumstance. Tidbits of Janeš family history available online Nenad Menićanin gathered valuable data from various sources on the meaning, geography and genealogy of his ancestors, and published his findings on the internet. A new book published on the history of the noble Jelačić family Pavao Maček, a prominent Croatian historian, introduced the book "Noble clans of Jelačićs" in Zaprešić City Hall. Herzegovian village of Hardomilje and it's clans The most prominent clans and family names in the area are Bandur, Boras, Bubalo, Ćuže, Gadže, Grbavac, Ilić, Jelinić, Kravić, Mandić, Miloš, Rupčić and Vukšić. Vučetić nobility from Brinje and Senj The first mention of the Vuchetich surname can be traced back to a certain Bosnian nobleman Pribislav and his last will written at the second half of the 15th century. (14 Mar 2010) Bosnia-Herzegovina, an important area for genealogical research for Croats Vital records kept in local Catholic parishes have always been crucial in claims of Croats in the area about their identity and history. Pitomača family trees researched An interesting work about genealogy of residents of the Croatian town situated between Đurđevac and Virovitica had been published on the internet. Slavonian settlements with a significant German population By 1931, in about hundred settlements in eastern parts of Croatia lived about 20 thousand inhabitants of Germanic origin. Aristocracy of the Republic of Ragusa One of the oldest and most prominent aristocracies in the Mediterranean region had developed in 12th and 13th century in Dubrovnik region. Visiting Croatia (2): Accommodation We continue our series of articles about the country and it's people for genealogists preparing to visit Croatia and do the research. 19th century census as a source of genealogical data The oldest census in the areas of today's Croatia was performed in 1785, but the most valuable one was done in 1857. Visiting Croatia (1): Transportation If you plan to visit Croatia to do genealogy research, our series of articles on transportation, accomodation, telecommunications and the culture may help you as you prepare for the trip. Croatian genealogists invited to contribute Several interesting new colaborative internet technologies were presented in Zagreb, Croatia to those interested in research of Croatian records. Hrastovac vital records available online Up until the end of the World War II the settlement also known as Eichendorf had been a vibrant society, mostly inhabited by Germans.

By their noses shall they be recognized
Lidija Sambunjak
professional genealogist
People who want their family trees to be researched come from all around the world and it’s no wonder every one of them is different. But as special as family Sadar was, none were before them. (11 Oct 2011)