Mazreku

Mazreku (archaic forms: Masarecu, Masareccu, Meserechus, Mânzaraku, Mazaraki or Mazarek) is an Albanian tribe^[1] or fis from the Dukagjin highlands. Historically they were one of the most widespread tribes, and placenames related to them are found throughout Albania: examples include Mazrek of Shkodër, or Mazrek in Tiranë.

The name Mazrek(u), which means "horse breeder" in Albanian, is found throughout all Albanian regions.^[2] Furthermore, the name relates to the Albanian word mëz - maz ('foal'), deriving from the Proto-Albanian: *mandja and cognates to the messapic word menza ('foal').^[3]

Another Albanian tribe called the Mazreku lived in Epirus during the Middle Ages.

As a surname it may refer to:

• Mazarek (vojvoda), Albanian nobleman and general in Serbia in the 15th century
• Pjetër Mazreku, Albanian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church in the 17th century
• Matija Mazarek, priest in the Ottoman Empire in the 18th century
• Blerim Mazreku (born 1981), Kosovan basketball player
• Gafur Mazreku, Albanian politician, late 20th century
• Pjetër Mazreku (fl. 1624–1642), Roman Catholic bishop
• Luan and Bekim Mazreku, Kosovan soldiers in 1998
• Kostandin Kastrioti Mazreku, Great-grandfather of the Albanian national hero, Skanderbeg.