Surname Asfoor - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'A'
Asfoor: What does the surname Asfoor mean?
The last name Asfoor has its origin in a region known as the Levant and is thought to be a variant of the Arabic name Asfour, meaning “bird”. The name likely began as a nickname given to a person who was known to be agile, alert, vigilant, and gregarious – qualities associated with a small bird. Over the centuries, those bearing the last name Asfoor have likely embraced these characteristics and use them to their advantage in business or social settings.
Throughout the Middle East, the last name Asfoor is commonly associated with communities of religious and ethnic minorities – many of which have fled their homeland and dispersed around the world to seek refuge in other countries. These resilient individuals are known to be hard-working, ambitious, and independent. They often demonstrate successful leadership qualities while facing adversity and dealing with challenging circumstances, setting an example for their descendents for generations to come.
The Asfoor family tree is likely made up of strong-willed individuals who have his extensive and long-standing history of success, resilience, and independence. This legacy of ambition and determination lives on in the children and grandchildren of those who bear this name, inspiring them to reach heights of success and impact their communities and the world in a positive way.
Order DNA origin analysisAsfoor: Where does the name Asfoor come from?
The surname Asfoor is most commonly associated with people of Arabic descent, particularly those originating from the Middle East. It is also found among people of North African descent and even among some descendants of Spanish or Portuguese Jewish immigrants.
Within the Middle East, the Asfoor surname is particularly common among people from Iran, Iraq, and other areas in the region. In Iran, it is thought to have come from the Farsi words "as" which means "horse" and "foroosh" which means "riding." As a result, it is often interpreted as meaning "those who ride horses." It is also sometimes said to come from the Arabic word "defoor" which means to remove or separate.
The surname is also found in Turkey, Jordan, Syria, and even some parts of Europe. In Europe, it is mostly found among Spanish or Portuguese Jews who often moved tomovers Europe to escape the persecution they suffered in the Middle East.
Today, the Asfoor surname is particularly common in countries like United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom which are home to large populations of immigrants from the Middle East. It is also found in other parts of the world, such as Australia and South Africa.
Variations of the surname Asfoor
The surname Asfoor is of Arabic origin, and can have several different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin:
Asfoor or Asfour – This is the traditional spelling of the surname, and can be found in its original spelling in use among some families in the Middle East.
Esfoor or Esfour – This is a spelling typically used by Arabic Christians living in the Middle East, most likely due to a period of Francophile influence in the region.
Osfoor or Osfour – Yet another spelling option likely favored by Arabic Christians, or by those trying to Anglicize the surname.
Asfour or Asfuhr – These are alternate transliterations of the traditional spelling, originating from Arabic dialectical forms of the name.
Asfur or Asfurrah – Yet another variant from the Arabic, this spelling is often found among Turkish speakers
Famous people with the name Asfoor
- Ali Asfoor: Bahraini former professional goalkeeper
- Steve Asfoor: retired goalkeeper who played for Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Israeli Premier League
- Saeed Asfoor: world-renowned stuntman and stunt coordinator
- Sulaiman Asfoor: Bahraini journalist, writer, author, and editor
- Hadi Asfoor: Jiu-Jitsu black belt competitor and champion
- Abdulla Asfoor: Bahraini international football player
- Yousuf Asfoor: major figure in the Bahraini insurance industry
- Hassan Asfoor: international business executive and ex-chairman of Bahrain’s leading investment management firm
- Jameel Asfoor: Bahraini contemporary artist
- Ramzy Asfoor: Bahraini artist, photographer, and filmmaker