Meaning & History
Martinović (Serbian Cyrillic: Mартиновић) is a patronymic surname meaning "son of Martin." It is common in countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia. The Hungarian form of this surname is Martinovics.
Etymology and Origins
The surname derives from the given name Martin, which itself comes from the Roman name Martinus, a derivative of Mars, the Roman god of war. The name Martin gained wide popularity in Christian Europe due to Saint Martin of Tours, a 4th-century bishop known for his act of sharing his cloak with a beggar. Additionally, the Protestant reformer Martin Luther and other notable figures contributed to the continued use of the name. The Serbian and Croatian suffix -ović signifies lineage, meaning "descendant of," thus fully realizing the patronymic character of Martinović.
History and Cultural Significance
In Montenegro, Martinović also designates one of the historical tribes (plemena) of the region. This tribe traces its origins to Martin Orlović, the founder of the Martinovitch-Orlovitch aristocratic dynasty during the times of the medieval Serbian state. Today, the tribe perpetuates a notable tradition: every Orthodox Christmas, a member of the Martinovići clan lights the Badnjak (a ceremonial oak branch) at the Cetinje Monastery, a central symbol of Montenegrin religious and cultural identity.
Notable Bearers
- Aleksandar Martinović (born 1976), Serbian lawyer and politician
- Alexandre Martinović (born 1985), French-born Montenegrin footballer
- Anica Martinović (born 1976), Croatian model
- Branislav Martinović (1937–2015), Serbian wrestler
Related Surnames
- Martinov (Bulgarian)
- Martinova (Bulgarian)
- Martí (Catalan)
- Martínek (Czech)
- Martinek (Czech)
- Martínková (Czech)
- Meaning: "son of Martin"
- Origin/Type: Patronymic surname
- Usage Regions: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia
- Variants: Martinovics (Hungarian)
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Martinović