Croatian Heraldry

By Adam S. Eterovich

SAPUNAR is found on the Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia. Some families left the island and settled in Split on the mainland opposite the island. Sapunar means the soap maker. Sapunar was originally Krstulovich-Krstich (Christian-Christianson) but took the name Sapunar because there were too many Krstulovich's on the Island of Brac.

The original Krstulovich came to Brac in the 1500's when the Turks conquered Bosnia. Sapunar also had Clan names (Nadimak) to distinguish themselves when they became too numerous: Lukini, Tutovac, Skenderbeg, Govorela, Bandirica, Katuse, Buortin and Spuce.

Most of the Sapunars were from Lozisce, Brac. This name had lawyers and intellectuals in the family during the 15-1600's. Sapunar was also related to Anticevich, Cvitanich, Biskupovich and Dragicevich.

John Sapunar voted as an American citizen at Plymouth, Amador County, California in 1880. He was a goldminer seeking his fortune. Luck took him to San Francisco when the mines were worked out. Mare, Marko, Nike, Pavao, Toma, Tone and Stepan Sapunar all settled in Sacramento, California, at the turn of the century. Many Sapunars also settled in Chile, South America. There are more Bracanin overseas at this time than on Brac itself.

Courtesy of the Croatian Genealogical and Heraldic Society, 2527 San Carlos Ave., San Carlos, California, 94070.Six weeks delivery. Phone: 650-592-1190; E-Mail croatians@aol.com; Web www.croatians.com. Adam S. Eterovich.