Find out how popular the last name Guncay is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Guncay.

Guncay, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Guncay surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Guncay in America

Guncay is the 112568th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Guncay surname appeared 156 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Guncay.

The history of the last name Guncay

The surname Guncay has its origins in Turkey, with roots dating back to the Ottoman Empire period. It is believed to have derived from the Turkish word "güneş," which means "sun," combined with the suffix "-cay," indicating a river or stream. This suggests that the name may have originated from a settlement or region near a sun-drenched river or stream.

One of the earliest known references to the Guncay name can be found in the Ottoman tax records from the late 15th century. These records documented various families and individuals residing in the Anatolian region, which was under Ottoman rule at the time. The Guncay name appeared in several villages and towns, indicating its widespread presence across the region.

During the 16th century, historical records mention a prominent figure named Mehmet Guncay, who served as a high-ranking military commander under Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent. Mehmet Guncay played a significant role in the Ottoman conquests and was recognized for his bravery and strategic military prowess.

In the 18th century, the Guncay family gained prominence in the city of Izmir, located on the Aegean coast of modern-day Turkey. One notable member of the family was Ali Guncay, a respected merchant and trader who established successful business ventures with European nations, contributing to the economic prosperity of the region.

Another prominent individual bearing the Guncay surname was Fatma Guncay (1848-1921), a pioneering Turkish writer and journalist. She was one of the first women to publish articles and essays in Ottoman Turkish newspapers, advocating for women's rights and education. Fatma Guncay's literary works played a crucial role in shaping the intellectual discourse of her time.

Throughout its history, the Guncay name has been associated with various locations and settlements in Turkey, such as the town of Guncay in the Trabzon province, and the village of Guncay in the Bartın province. These place names likely derive from the same root as the surname, reflecting the connection between the name and geographical features.

While the Guncay surname has its origins in Turkey, it has since spread to other parts of the world through migration and diaspora communities. However, the historical roots and significance of this name remain deeply rooted in the rich cultural heritage of Anatolia and the Ottoman Empire.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Guncay

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Guncay.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Guncay was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Guncay was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Guncay, please contact us.

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