Surname Al Asfur - Meaning and Origin
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Al Asfur: What does the surname Al Asfur mean?
The last name Al Asfur is a toponymic surname which is derived from the ancient city of Asfur, located in the modern day nation of Yemen. The root Arabic word ‘asfur’ itself translates to ‘yellow’, so the name likely originates from a yellowish sandy hill near the city.
Asfur was an important city in ancient times, located near the "Incense Route" which connected the Roman Empire to the Far East. The city was known for its reputation of producing and trading high quality goods such as incense, silk, and gold. Asfur was also renowned for its beautiful historical scenery and monuments, including Sabaen temples, burial monuments, and lengthy tombs.
The surname Al Asfur is reflective of the long history and proud heritage of this area. It is seen as a source of pride for those with a history of the ancient city and its colorful culture. Though the city is no longer inhabited by many, those with the last name Al Asfur remain proud of their vibrant ancestry and timeless tradition.
Order DNA origin analysisAl Asfur: Where does the name Al Asfur come from?
The last name Al Asfur is common today in many parts of the Middle East, especially in the Arabian Gulf countries of the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait. It is much less common in other parts of the world, although a few people with that name can be found in North Africa, Turkey, and parts of Europe.
Al Asfur is a traditional Arabic surname of considerable distinction, stemming from the root “asfoor.” Traditionally the bearers of this name and its variants were associated with business and trade, although many have found success in other fields as well.
Due to the nature of the region in which the name is most ubiquitous, those with the surname Al Asfur are known as a tight-knit community with strong family and social ties between them. These ties are extremely important in a region where extended families are considered to be the cornerstone of social life.
Though not as widespread as other surnames, Al Asfur is held in high esteem and continues to be a common spoken name in many areas of the Middle East today.
Variations of the surname Al Asfur
Al Asfur is an Arabic surname with a number of variants in spelling and usage. Common spellings of the name include Al-Asfour, Al-Asfoor and Al-Asfore. A variety of surnames can also be derived from the original Al Asfur root, including Assafuri, Asfouri and Asfouri.
Al Asfur has a meaning that derives from the Arabic word asfar which translates to "yellow". It is likely that the historical origin of the surname came from a person or family with a physical attribute that resembled the color yellow, or the name may have originated from a place name that had associations with the color yellow.
In Lebanon, one prominent branch of the Al Asfur family connected the name to a prominent tribe in the northern district. Here, the Al Asfur surname is often translated to 'The Yellow One' in reference to the region's yellow sand.
The Al Asfur name is also used in Israel, where Jewish families brought the surname after fleeing persecution in different Arab regions. Here, the Al Asfur surname is often associated with Sephardic families and is sometimes spelt "Al-Ashfoor".
In Kuwait, the Al Asfur family is known to have descended from the prominent tribe of Al-Sabah, from which the ruling house originates. The Al Asfur family here can be traced all the way back to the 18th century, and descendents of the same family are found all over the country today.
The Al Asfur surname can be found in a number of other countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Syria and Jordan. Today, the name continues to be popular among Arab families around the world.
Famous people with the name Al Asfur
- Dr. Maher Al-Asfur: Alderman of the Jerusalem Municipality.
- Sharif Al-Asfur: Jordanian diplomat, Chief Foreign Minister and former Prime Minister of Jordan.
- Anwar Al-Asfur: Palestinian actor, film director, and producer.
- Naser Al-Asfur: Syrian poet and literary critic.
- Mohammad Al-Asfur: Palestinian representative for the European Union.
- Ashraf Al-Asfur: Ethnomusicologist and composer from Jordan.
- Zein Al-Asfur: Two-time Kuwaiti National Champion in Powerlifting.
- Abdel Aziz Al-Asfur: Saudi Arabian businessman.
- Sultan Al Asfur: Emirati actor, producer, and television host.
- Walid Al Asfur: Jordanian musician and singer.