Last names can tell the descendants in Arab countries about history, identity and culture.

The first ruler of Egypt to use a family name was Muhammad Ali Pasha (1805-48), who gave his sons as well as at least one grandson surnames derived from their own or their father’s given names. But it wasn’t until after World War I that last names became widespread among Muslims under colonial rule across the Middle East and North Africa.

In Iraq, for example, people adopted nicknames based on places they lived or occupations: al-Hilaliyah means someone who comes from Baghdad; al-Khaliliyah refers to an artisan; Abu Ulayyid is one with no fixed occupation.

In Algeria, the name of a tribe or locality became part of one’s surname: Ben Slimane means “son of Sliman from Sidi Bel-Abbes;” Mohammed al Kassoum is “Mohammed son of Hassan from Qassum.” And in Libya, last names are often associated with occupations and places of origin such as Tarhuna (coffee seller) and Safra (weaver).

The following list includes some popular Arab surnames that come from regions spanning Morocco to Iraq. Please note there may be variations on each word’s spelling due to differences between Arabic languages spoken across different countries.

Al Hameed – Someone who shows courage when facing the enemy; someone who is patient, tolerant.

Al-Ali – One of noble descent; one with eloquent speech and manners.

Beydoun – A Berber tribe from the Atlas Mountains in North Africa who migrated to Palestine during the 12th century Crusades. They are now mostly found throughout Israel, Syria and Lebanon. The name means “the son of Wadi” or “son of valleys.”

The following list includes some popular Arab surnames that come from regions spanning Morocco to Iraq: Please note there may be variations on each word’s spelling due to differences between Arabic languages spoken across different countries: Al Hameed – Someone who shows courage when facing the enemy; someone who is patient, tolerant.. Al-Ali – One of noble descent; one with eloquent speech and manners. Al-Beydoun – A Berber tribe from the Atlas Mountains in North Africa who migrated to Palestine during the 12th century Crusades. They are now mostly found throughout Israel, Syria and Lebanon. The name means “the son of Wadi” or “son of valleys.”

Abu Rabia – Father’s brother (uncle). Abu Sahl – Father’s sister’s husband (stepfather).. Dayyaan– Graciousness, beauty

Al Hariri – Someone who is courageous when facing an enemy; someone who demonstrates generosity; a good person.

Bassam– Happy, joyful man Baazinji – God of war.

Al Habel – A hardworking individual; a generous person Al-Din – Faith, religion.. Al Hariri – Courageous when facing an enemy or adversity; courageous in defending Islam and its followers..

Mansour– The one who is victorious and achieves victory over his enemies.. Muhamed – One of the most common Islamic names for males: one who praises God (the supreme being). The name means “praised” or “laudable.”

The post also mentions that Abu Rabia was written as someone’s father’s brother, but it should be stated that this term can also refer to stepfather, uncle or half-brother. The same goes with Abu Sahl which can be used for paternal cousin as well.

This post mentions the following last names: Abu Rabia, Al Hariri, Shaaban and Muhamed.

Bassam- Happy joyful man Baazinji – God of war. Al Habel – A hardworking individual; a generous person..Al Dîn – Faith religion..Al Harirî – Courageous when facing enemies or adversity; courageous in defending Islam and its followers Munâsaraa’ah (مناصرة)- Helping others to defend themselves against oppression by oppressors, helping to establish justice.[Noun] The act of resisting someone who is oppressing another or who violates rights that should not have been violated; assistance.

Asad- Brave, courageous and fearless Al Hariri – Courageous when facing enemies or adversity; courageous in defending Islam and its followers Munâsaraa’ah (مناصرة)- Helping others to defend themselves against oppression by oppressors, helping to establish justice.[Noun] The act of resisting someone who is oppressing another or who violates rights that should not have been violated; assistance. Shaaban- Magnificent Abu Rabia – Father’s brother Muhamed – Praiseworthy

My father had three brothers: Tariq, Zakariah and Hani. Uncle Tariq was the youngest of all my dad’s siblings but I didn’t know him very

Name: Abdulla

Country of Origin: Kuwait

Description: “Abdulla” is an Arabic surname with origins in the Muslim world. It derives from the male given name, Abdullah which means “servant or slave of Allah.” Its most common Anglicized spelling variant is Abdul and it can also be spelled as Abdalla. This particular last name has been found among Muslims living all over North Africa and Asia- Minor. In some areas this surname may have originated independently, while in others it may have developed out of a patronymic form such as Abu ‘l-‘Abbas al-Hashimi (father of Abbas). A famous bearer was Hamid Abdille Hassan who served for two terms as President of Somalia.

Name: Al-Nasseri

Country of Origin: Bahrain

Description: “Al-Nasseri” is a surname which may be found in Syria, Turkey and Bahrain. It derives from the Arabic word nasir meaning “helper.” The name appears to refer to someone who helped his community or tribe by providing things like food, shelter and economic security. This name was also borne by Hassan al-Naser (1929 – 2008) whose group Islamic Jihad tried unsuccessfully to assassinate Egyptian president Anwar Sadat in 1981. His son Ibrahim Naseer became notorious as one of the most wanted terrorists ever captured for being involved with the September 11 attacks on New York City’s World Trade Center while Khalid Sheikh Mohammed was the architect of these attacks.

Name: Al-Najafi

Country of Origin: Iraq

Description: “Al-Najafi” is a surname which may be found in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. It derives from Arabic words meaning “of Najaf.” The name refers to someone who hails from this city near Baghdad where one of Shia Islam’s most holy sites is located. Its founder was Ali ibn Abi Talib – cousin and son-in law of Muhammad – who became its first Imam or spiritual leader after his death in AD 40/41. There are now over 60 million Shiites around the world with significant populations residing in Iran, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and Indonesia as well as many countries in Central Asia and Africa.

The Al-Najafi’s are a well educated family, with many of them studying or working abroad. Ahmad graduated from Harvard Law School before returning to Iraq where he would serve as the Minister for Foreign Affairs under Saddam Hussein-for six weeks until fleeing to Jordan following the 2003 invasion by US troops. He was later sentenced in absentia to seven years imprisonment but has since returned home and now lives his life quietly running an investment company in Baghdad.

In Lebanon, another member of this family is Ziad Najafi who runs one of Beirut’s most successful companies: L’Oreal Middle East Manufacturers (known locally as Oceane). His story started when his father died and he was only 18. He went to school in Paris, and then moved back to Lebanon after university where he took over the company from his mother. The story of Lebanese entrepreneur Ziad Najafi has a happy ending- but for many Arab countries today that is not the case. There are 12 families featured on this blog post, each with their own unique stories worth reading right now! The Al-Najafi’s come from Iraq and have roots across Europeand Africa. Ahmad graduated from Harvard Law School before returning to Iraq where he would serve as the Minister for Foreign Affairs under Saddam Hussein-for six weeks until fleeing to Jordan following the 2003 invasion by US troops. He was later sentenced in absentia to seven years