1. As an historian of later mediaeval/early modern Greek/Balkan history I
have encountered the name Zarbas, which is of a Souliot clan of the 18th
century (pl. Zarbaioi, Zarbataioi); I presume it may be related to the Greek
family name Zorbas (as in "Zorba the Greek," of Kazantzakis fame). Are these
related? Are the roots Slavic, Latin or ? In short what may be the etymology
of "Zarbas."
2. Also, am I to assume that the name of another Souliot clan, "Drakos" (p.
Drakaioi) is etymologically related to the Serbian "Dragash," and other
names with the element "drag." Again, I would be grateful for the
etymological relationships of this word. [I am aware of the Greek word
"drakon," with the posited IE relationships, as described by Frisk,
Chantraine etc., but I woul;d like to know about the more recent
Balkan/Slavic/Romanian? Forms that may suggest about the ancestry of the
Drakos clan.]
With thanks, in advance,
Aristide Caratzas
http://www.caratzas.com