Surname Alatas - Meaning and Origin
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Alatas: What does the surname Alatas mean?
The last name Alatas is of Arabic origin, originating from the Al-Atas phrase meaning “the heights”. This surname is first found mainly in areas around the Mediterranean such as Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan.
In Arabic culture, a strong emphasis is placed on family structure. It is believed that the family name serves as a representation of spiritual guidance and protection, and it is typically passed down from generation to generation. This is the same with the Alatas family, where holders of the surname have generally maintained the same family name.
The Alatas family held an influential position in the Middle East, and is still referred to as one of the oldest dynasties in the region. The Alatas family have enjoyed powerful affiliations with trade, politics, and law throughout their existence. Famous names associated with the family include Said Alatas, an active figure in the early Syrian independence movement in the early 1930s, and Bourhan Alatas, an Islamic scholar from Jordan who taught at the University of Jordan in the 1960s.
Today, the family name Alatas is still in use by descendants of this prominent family living in different parts of the world. The name stands as a testament to the family’s ongoing legacy of courage, honour, and loyalty that continues to inspire generations to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisAlatas: Where does the name Alatas come from?
The last name Alatas is most commonly found in Turkey and the wider Middle East. It was among the 70 most common last names in Turkey in 2020. It is also relatively resource in Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar.
The origin of the name Alatas is unclear, though some have proposed that it may have Persian and Ottoman Turkish roots. Alatas may be derived from Ottoman Turkish language and is similar to the name Elac. In many Middle East cultures, the name is closely associated with people of wealth and power, with ‘Alatas’ being an honorific title of respect meaning ‘excellent’ or ‘fine’.
In the last hundred years, the last name Alatas has spread to other parts of the world. It is becoming increasingly common in the United States, particularly in Texas and California. In addition, it is found in Canada, South Africa and Britain, where large migrant communities have settled.
The last name Alatas remains a source of great pride for those with the name. It is a reminder of its Middle Eastern origins and the many cultures and stories that make up their shared history and identity.
Variations of the surname Alatas
The surname Alatas originates from the southern Asia region and has been popular in areas such as Turkey, Indonesia, and Malaysia. This surname holds different cultural and regional connotations. Variations in spelling, pronunciation, and usage for this name include ‘Altas’, ‘Alathas’, ‘Eltas’, ‘Althas’, and ‘Alatis’. These slight changes in spelling are also due to language barriers within different regions and dialects.
In Indonesia, the surname is usually used in the form of Alatas, while in Malaysia this surname typically takes the form of Alathas. In Turkey, this name can be pronounced as Alatis and/or Eltas. Additionally, some members of this family may choose to use one of the variant spellings as a surname, depending on when their ancestors arrived or settled in the respective region.
In Malaysia, common surnames associated with the name Alatas include Alatas bin Salleh, Alatas bin Saub, Alatas bin Umer, Alatas bin Mahmood, Alatas bin Abdul Aziz, and Alatas bin Salim. Similarly, in Indonesia, the surnames associated with this name are Alatas bin Abdullah, Alatas bin Hasan, Alatas bin Harun, Alatas bin Zainul, and Alatas bin Rais.
In conclusion, Alatas is a widely used surname originating from the Asian region, and its spelling variants and surnames vary due to cultural and regional differences. This surname has a deep meaning for families who trace their lineage back to this namesake, and there are numerous branches of this family tree spreading throughout different parts of the world.
Famous people with the name Alatas
- Ridwan Kamil: Indonesian architect and current mayor of Bandung, Indonesia.
- Edy Nasution: Indonesian police general.
- Oetarjo Diran: Indonesian military commander and Governor of Jakarta during the Suharto era.
- Rani Alatas Syailendra: Indonesian businesswoman and philanthropist.
- Jusuf Kalla: Indonesian vice president from 2004-2009 and 11th vice president of Indonesia.
- Ismi Alatas: Indonesian politician, former minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection.
- Burhanuddin Alatas: Indonesian Muslim scholar, professor of philosophy at Universitas Indonesia, and former member of the Ulama Council.
- Richard Alatas: Indonesian actor and politician who was a member of the People's Representative Council from 1997-2004.
- Indu Alatas: Indonesian classical pianist.
- Omar Alatas: Voice For Coins and WWE 20 commentator.