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Origin of the Surname Gularidze
The surname Gularidze presents a geographical distribution that, according to available data, shows a significant presence in Georgia, with an incidence of 22%, followed by a lower presence in the southern region of Georgia (7%) and a residual presence in Russia (1%). This distribution suggests that the surname is predominantly Georgian in origin, as the highest concentration is found in Georgia, which is typical for surnames that originate in a specific region and maintain a strong presence there. The presence in Russia, although minimal, could be due to migratory movements or historical relations between both countries, but it does not seem to be a main origin of the surname.
The high incidence in Georgia, together with the geographical distribution, allows us to infer that Gularidze is probably a surname of Georgian origin, with roots in the culture and language of that region. The history of Georgia, with its long tradition of patronymic and toponymic surnames, may offer additional clues about its formation and evolution. The presence in Georgia suggests that the surname could be linked to a specific family, clan or locality within the country, and its current dispersion reflects patterns of internal or external migration in recent times.
Etymology and Meaning of Gularidze
From a linguistic analysis, the surname Gularidze seems to follow the typical structure of Georgian patronymic surnames, which frequently end in -dze. This suffix, in the Georgian context, usually means "son of" or "belonging to", and is very common in surnames of family or clan origin in Georgia. The root Gulari could derive from a proper name, a geographical term or a descriptive element, although it is not a common term in standard Georgian vocabulary, suggesting that it could be an ancient given name, a nickname or a term of local or archaic origin.
The element Gulari could have roots in words from the Georgian language or in terms of Arabic, Persian or even neighboring Caucasian languages, given the cultural crossover in the region. However, the most plausible hypothesis is that it is a proper name or nickname that, when the suffix -dze is added, indicates descent or family belonging. Therefore, Gularidze could be translated as "son of Gulari" or "belonging to the Gulari family."
As for its classification, the surname would clearly be a patronymic, given the use of the suffix -dze. The structure and ending are typical of surnames reflecting family lineages in Georgia, and their meaning points to an identity based on an ancestor or ancestral figure called Gulari.
History and Expansion of the Surname
The origin of the surname Gularidze probably dates back to times when patronymic surnames began to become established in Georgia, possibly between the 16th and 18th centuries, when the tradition of recording and distinguishing family lineages became stronger in the region. The -dze structure indicates that the surname was formed in a context in which family identification was important, perhaps in rural communities or in clans that valued descent and family belonging.
The current distribution, with a high incidence in Georgia, suggests that the surname was maintained in its region of origin for centuries, passed down from generation to generation. The presence in Russia, although minimal, could be explained by migratory movements in times of political and social changes in the region, such as the expansion of the Russian Empire or internal migrations in the Soviet Union. Geographic dispersion may also reflect the mobility of families in search of better economic conditions or for political reasons.
The surname Gularidze is likely to have had a role in specific communities, perhaps linked to a locality, a noble family or a particular social group in Georgia. Expansion outside the country, if it exists, would be the result of modern migrations or the Georgian diaspora, which has taken its surnames to different parts of the world, although in smaller numbers compared to its concentration in Georgia.
Variants of the Surname Gularidze
As for spelling variants, given the phonetic nature of the Georgian language and adaptations in other languages, it is possible that there are different or simplified forms of the surname. For example, in contexts where transliteration into the Latin alphabet is done differently, it might be found as Gularidze or Gularidzeh. WithoutHowever, there are no clear records of widespread variants in the literature or historical records.
In other languages, especially in diaspora contexts, the surname could have been adapted phonetically or in its writing to facilitate its pronunciation or integration into different cultures. However, the form Gularidze appears to be quite stable in its original form, reflecting its origin in Georgian language and culture.
Related to the surname, there could be other patronymics with the suffix -dze derived from different roots, forming a family of surnames that share that structure, but each one with its specific root. The presence of these surnames in Georgia and in Georgian communities abroad reinforces the idea of a pattern of surname formation in the region.
