Prenk

Prenk, also prënk, prek is Albanian language title of the chieftain of Catholic Mirdite clan and also a given name. In the 19th century it was hereditary position of the heads of Gjomarkaj family who had the official title of prenk paşa (English: Prince Lord). Members of this clan lived on the territory of the Sanjak of Shkoder and their chieftain was obliged to provide 5,000 troops to Ottomans upon notice.[1] It is used by Catholic Albanians of all regions.

According to one 19th-century travel account Prenk was corruption of Peter that "from time immemorial has been the first baptismal name of nearly all chiefs of this tribe".[2]

List of notable people with this title includes:

• Prenk Bib Doda, Mirdita clan leader, politician
• Prenk Doçi, Albanian Rilindas
• Prenk Pervizi, military figure of 20th century
• Prenk Cali, Kelmendi warlord

References

1. Gawrych, George (26 December 2006). The Crescent and the Eagle: Ottoman Rule, Islam and the Albanians, 1874-1913. I.B.Tauris. p. 32. ISBN 978-1-84511-287-5. The head of Gjomarkaj family served at the same time as the hereditary prince for the Merdita with the official title of "Prince Lord" (Prenk Paşa).
2. Lluellyn, Raymond Maude (1887). Occasional Contributions to "The Globe". p. 247. .... mountains, the title of "Prince," the common mistake having obviously arisen from a very natural corruption of the word "Prenk," or "Prink," meaning "Peter," which from time immemorial has been the first baptismal name of nearly all ...