Law on Surnames

The Surname Law is the law that mandates citizens of the Republic of Türkiye to adopt a surname in addition to their given names and regulates the principles of selection, use, and registration of such surnames. It was adopted by the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye on 21 June 1934, published in the Official Gazette No. 2741 dated 2 July 1934, and came into effect on 2 January 1935.

Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's Population Record (Encyclopedia of Atatürk)

Historical Background and Rationale

Enacted as part of the Republic's cultural revolutions, the Surname Law was designed not only to ensure social order and facilitate official procedures but also to establish a new societal structure based on modernization and equality. During and after the National Struggle period, it became evident that the large number of individuals sharing the same name caused various confusions within state institutions, the military, and administrative operations, making it difficult to identify individuals accurately.

In the Ottoman State, individuals were typically identified by nicknames, patronymics, professions, or place of residence. However, as required by the modern state concept, the adoption of a unique and fixed surname system became inevitable. Moreover, ending the use of titles and nicknames that reflected class-based privileges inherited from the past was considered essential for establishing a social structure consistent with the principle of equal citizenship.

Excerpt from the Official Gazette on the Day the Law Came into Effect (TRT News)

Content of the Law

Article 1 of the law mandated that every Turkish citizen must adopt a surname in addition to their given name. Article 3 prohibited the selection of surnames based on military ranks, tribal affiliations, foreign ethnic or national names, or those contrary to morality or deemed ridiculous. The right to choose a surname was initially granted to the husband within a marriage, but this provision was annulled by the Constitutional Court in 2011.

The law also granted local administrative authorities—governors and district governors—the authority to resolve disputes arising during surname selection and to intervene in cases where individuals failed to choose a surname or selected an inappropriate one. Administrative sanctions were prescribed for those who did not select a surname or used an unlawful surname within two years.

Implementation and Effects

Shortly after its adoption, the Surname Law was widely embraced by the public and implemented throughout the country. The state undertook various measures to guide citizens through the surname selection process and ensure orderly administration. The law contributed not only to preventing administrative confusion but also to strengthening the concept of social equality. In this context, the transmission of familial titles such as "Binbaşızade" and "Kaymakamzade" inherited from the past was prohibited, reducing the visibility of social privileges.

On the other hand, the Surname Law made a significant contribution to the process of simplifying the Turkish language and aligning names and titles used among the public with the national cultural understanding. The use of native Turkish words in surname selection was encouraged, and restrictions were imposed on the use of Arabic, Persian, and foreign-origin names to support the movement toward linguistic simplification.