Zupančič is a Slovenian surname, the 5th most frequent surname in Slovenia. It is a patronymic form of Zupan, Zupanc, or Župan, derived from the Old Slavic županŭ, meaning "head of the district, community leader", itself from župa meaning "district, region." The suffix -čič is a common patronymic ending in Slovenian. Notable Bearers Alenka Zupančič (born 1966), Slovenian philosopher Boštjan Zupančič (born 1947), Slovenian lawyer, a justice of the European Court of Human Rights Milena Zupančič (born 1946), Slovenian actor Rihard Zupančič (1878–1949), Slovenian mathematician Oton Župančič (1878–1949), Slovenian poet (variant spelling) Meaning: Patronymic implying descendant of a Zupan Origin: Slavic Type: Surname Usage: Slovene Variants: Zupan, Zupanc (Slovene); Župan (Croatian)