Raspopović is a South Slavic surname found primarily in Montenegro, Croatia, Serbia and among diaspora communities in North America and other countries. The name is patronymic in form, typical of Slavic surnames ending in the suffix ‑ović, which denotes “son of” or “descendant of”. The root “Raspop” is likely derived from a personal name or nickname, though specific etymological details are not well documented in widely available scholarly sources.
Geographic distribution
- Croatia: According to the Acta Croatica surname database, approximately ten individuals bearing the surname Raspopović reside in Croatia today, spread across six households. Historically, bearers were concentrated in the counties of Osijek and Dubrovnik, with smaller numbers in Nova Mokosica, Mokosica, and the Erdut‑Vinkovci area.
- Montenegro and Serbia: The surname is also present in Montenegro and Serbia, where it appears among both ethnic Montenegrin and Serbian families.
- Diaspora: Small populations of people with the surname (or its transliterations Raspopovic, Raspopovich) are recorded in Canada, the United States, and other countries on four continents.
Notable individuals
- Momčilo Raspopović (born 18 March 1994) – A Montenegrin professional footballer who plays as a right‑back. He has represented the Montenegro national team and has played for clubs in Montenegro, the Czech Republic (Karviná) and other European leagues.
- Milisav Raspopović (born 24 November 1982) – A Montenegrin diplomat who served as the Ambassador of Montenegro to the Netherlands, presenting his credentials to King Willem‑Alexander in September 2025.
- Milan Raspopović (1935 – 2025) – A Serbian author and educator noted for publishing numerous scientific monographs, textbooks, and workbooks for primary, secondary, and university students. He was awarded the Sretenje Order by the President of Serbia in 2015.
Cultural references
The surname appears in the name of institutions such as the “Srednja stručna škola ‘Spasoje Raspopović’” in Podgorica, Montenegro, a secondary technical school named after a local figure.
Etymology and usage
While the exact origin of the root “Raspop” is not definitively established in publicly available linguistic literature, the suffix ‑ović confirms its classification as a patronymic surname common to the South Slavic naming tradition. No single authoritative source provides a detailed historical account of the name’s earliest occurrence.
References
- Acta Croatica surname database, “Surname Raspopović,” accessed 2026.
- Wikipedia entry “Momčilo Raspopović,” retrieved 2026.
- Diplomat Magazine, article on Ambassador Milisav Raspopović, 2025.
- UDARNA VEST, obituary for Milan Raspopović, 2025.