Meaning & History
Etymology and Meaning
Jurišić (Serbian Cyrillic: Јуришић) is a Croatian and Serbian patronymic surname, derived from the personal name Jure, a regional form of George. Literally meaning "son of Jure," it follows a common Slavic naming pattern where the suffix -ić (or -vić) indicates lineage. The root name George ultimately comes from the Greek Geōrgios, meaning "farmer, earthworker" (from gē "earth" and ergon "work").
Notable Bearers
The Jurišić surname appears across various fields, particularly in the regions of Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia. Among the most historically significant bearers is Nikola Jurišić (c. 1490–1545), a Croatian nobleman and military commander remembered for his defense against the Ottoman Empire. In modern contexts, the name is shared by athletes such as Tomislav Jurišić (mixed martial artist), Melita Jurišić (Australian actress), and footballers like Goran Jurišić. The surname also appears in arts and culture, including Iva Jurišić (volleyball) and Mario Jurišić (parody rock musician).
Distribution and Variants
Jurišić is concentrated in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, with significant numbers in Serbia. Similar surnames in the region include Jurić (a shortened form), Juriša, and Jurković. Equivalents in other cultures reflect the same underlying root of George, such as the Bulgarian Georgiev, Armenian Gevorgian, and Danish Jørgensen.
- Meaning: "Son of Jure" (patronymic)
- Origin: Croatian and Serbian; derived from George
- Type: Patronymic surname
- Usage Regions: Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Jurišić