Southern Russian / Caucasus names ending in '-bek'?

[Hajdu]

Example: Kazem-Bek

Tatar, Oghuz Turkic or Khazar? The Ottoman Turkish version is "bey" and means chief - used throughout Islamic hierarchical systems, but many people in Russia or the Caucasus with these names today are Christian. Can also be "-bekov" or in Armenia, "-bekian"...

[Onur]

Yes, you are right. "Bek, bey, beg" is a Turkic title commonly used since the Huns. It`s quite widespread that you could find people with the name "bek" from China (Uygurs) to Balkans (Tatars, Cumans, Pecheneg, Avar).

Most of the Russians or Caucasians with the surname "bek" are not Russians at all. They are various Turkic peoples, forcefully russified since 1860s but mostly during the Soviet era.

[Hajdu]

Thanks! How would you interpret names like this appearing in Armenia or Nagorno-Karabakh?

[Onur]

Btw, do you know the meaning of your nickname, Gurgen Khan?

Gürgen means son-in-law. For example, Timur of 14-15th century was a Gurgen himself because he was married with a girl from the Genghis Khan dynasty.



Thanks! How would you interpret names like this appearing in Armenia or Nagorno-Karabakh?
Armenians lived under Turkish domain for about 800 years, both under Seljuk and Ottoman empires. They adopted Turkish names titles throughout time. Thats why some Armenians uses it today.

For example, you Hungarians and some slavs adopted the name "Szoltan" from us. It`s actually the Turkish title "Sultan".

[Hajdu]

I have heard this, but I have also read that that "gurgen" is a Parthian name meaning "little wolf", and as such was a name of some kings of Armenia (and still a boy's given name in Armenia)...