Hoxhas

Hoxhas is an Albanian surname. It is common in Albania and among Albanian communities in Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and in the Albanian diaspora across Europe and North America.

Etymology: The name derives from the Ottoman Turkish hoca, meaning a religious teacher or imam. In Albanian usage, hoxha functioned as a title for a cleric, and it later became a hereditary surname.

Usage and distribution: The surname is widely carried across urban and rural areas in Albania and by Albanians in neighboring regions and among diaspora communities. It is often associated with families that historically had clerical or religious roles.

Notable bearers: The most widely known bearer is Enver Hoxha (1908–1985), who led the communist government of Albania from 1944 to 1985. Beyond him, the surname appears among other Albanian public figures, reflecting its long-standing presence in the country’s public life.

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