The red grape variety originates from the Balkans; possibly Serbia. There are around 50 synonyms; the most important, grouped alphabetically by country, are Zarčin (Bulgaria); Karlahanades, Karnachalades, Karnachalas (Greece); Crnka, Rekovacka Crnka (Croatia); Negotinsko Crno, Nikodimka, Niševka, Majski Čornii, Skopsko Crno (North Macedonia); Majski Cornii (Moldova); Kameničarka, Kamenilarka, Majski Cornii (Russia); Nichevka, Nikodimka, Niševka, Prokopac, Prokupac Black, Prokupac Noir, Prikupats, Prokupec, Prokupka, Rskavac, Surac Plavi, Vinta (Serbia).

The parentage is unknown. It is possible that the Greek variety Karnachalades is identical. This very old variety was very important in Serbia from the Middle Ages onwards, and there are numerous varieties with many names. Prokupac was a crossing partner of the new varieties Evita, Jagodinka and Župljanka as well as a parent of the varieties Beala Debela (Bulgaria) and Papazkarasi (Turkey), which presumably arose through natural crossing.
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