When Slavic tribes arrived in the Balkans, they adopted this Paleo-Balkan term (gjup) to describe local districts, which became the Slavic župa. “Grand Župan” was essentially the “Master of the Great Hollows.” The word survives today primarily in Northern (Gheg) dialects.

“The PIE root *g(h)eup-→ Albanian gjup → Latin iupanus → Slavic župan is not only phonologically coherent but now has the added support that the PIE connection to župa is already acknowledged by Brugmann – the Albanian mediation simply provides the missing phonological bridge that the purely Slavic-internal account cannot supply.”

“INNOCENT III. YEAR 1 OF CHRIST 1199.

In much the same manner to the noble man St. Magno Iupano and the wife of the same St. Magno Iupano. In much the same manner… to the Archbishop of Dioclesia to fulfill. To whom also to us and our successors the oath of fidelity, which we send you under our bull, devoutly and humbly to show. In much the same manner to the Archbishops, Bishops, Abbots, Prelates of the Churches and other clerics throughout Dalmatia and Dioclesia established in the kingdom of our most beloved in Christ son Vulcan, the illustrious King of Dioclesia and Dalmatia, to strengthen them until they are established.”