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ArchivesRe: Did anyone know the meaning-the etymology
in reply to a message by Loxandra
Do I detect a pattern in your recent postings, Loxandra?
There was Serntari, which, I suggested was from a Turkish title.
Then there was Zaimi, for which I'm at a loss, but which is also an Albanian surname. Could this be another relic of the Ottoman Empire? I can't find zaim or zaimi in any dictionary, Turkish, Albanian or Greek, but there is an Arabic word, za'im, which is another title. The Turks and other Muslims often borrow Arabic words.
Now Amira(s); it doesn't seem to be a Greek word but AMIR is another Arabic -> Turkish title, denoting a military commander. I draw no conclusion, just note a similarity.
Am I creating a connection between these names which cannot be shown to exist?
There was Serntari, which, I suggested was from a Turkish title.
Then there was Zaimi, for which I'm at a loss, but which is also an Albanian surname. Could this be another relic of the Ottoman Empire? I can't find zaim or zaimi in any dictionary, Turkish, Albanian or Greek, but there is an Arabic word, za'im, which is another title. The Turks and other Muslims often borrow Arabic words.
Now Amira(s); it doesn't seem to be a Greek word but AMIR is another Arabic -> Turkish title, denoting a military commander. I draw no conclusion, just note a similarity.
Am I creating a connection between these names which cannot be shown to exist?
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Replies
Jim, I have to say you are a great contributor to this site!
You are right about the origins of these Greek surnames. Zaimis and Serdaris are indeed relics of the Ottoman Empire but Amiras is much older and dates back to the Byzantine times. Amiras does derive from Amir/Emir and it was used by the Greeks in the last centuries of the Byzantine Empire as a General's title or to address an Arab amir.
As for Zaim, I found this: http://www.encyclo.co.uk/define/Zaim.
You are right about the origins of these Greek surnames. Zaimis and Serdaris are indeed relics of the Ottoman Empire but Amiras is much older and dates back to the Byzantine times. Amiras does derive from Amir/Emir and it was used by the Greeks in the last centuries of the Byzantine Empire as a General's title or to address an Arab amir.
As for Zaim, I found this: http://www.encyclo.co.uk/define/Zaim.
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They all exist...thank you anyway
Zaimis family http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zaimis_family
Amira-Diamantis Amiras
Serntari-Dimitrios Serntaris
Zaimis family http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zaimis_family
Amira-Diamantis Amiras
Serntari-Dimitrios Serntaris
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Zaimis could also be from a Greek placename, namely Zaḯmi which is a variant of either Zaïma or Zaḯmion.
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Amirás is a placename in Greece as you can see at http://europe.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&country=GR&addtohistory=&city=amiras
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They all exist...thank you anyway
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