Lucaj

Lucaj (/ˈluːts aɪ/; Albanian: [ˈluts ˈaj]; is an Albanian family and surname of the Triesh clan in Malësi e Madhe. The Lucaj family are historically the head of the Triesh clan, known as bajraktars. The family has been in the region for hundreds of years with the earliest recording of the family name appearing in the Sanjak of Scutari in 1485, listed under the ancient tribe of Bankeq. The name Lucaj stems from Luca Gjeloshi, the grandson of Niku, who is viewed as the father of many modern Albanian bloodlines.

History

The Lucajs are direct descendants from Ban Keqi who is the founder of the village Triesh. Ban Keqi was the brother of Lazar Keqi, the founder of the village of Hoti. The known lineage of the family stems back to before the Ottoman invasion of the Northern Albanian highlands. The Treaty of Berlin in 1878 caused Triesh and subsequently the Lucajs to shift into the Montenegrin border. Due to having to register with a predominantly Slavic government most of the family members last names were changed to Ljucovic to assimilate into the different language. Today, most of the Lucaj family has immigrated to the United States of America, mostly in the cities of New York City and Detroit.

Family Lineage

Known Lucaj Ancestry
Ujk Nik Luca Gjelosh Luca Prëla Gjok Pjeter Lek Kristjan Vasel Zef Pjeter Gjon Frank