99 Sephardic Jewish Last Names And Their Meanings

Are you looking for Sephardic Jewish last names? Then you’ve come to the right place.

In this post, we’ll delve into the fascinating world of Sephardic Jewish last names, exploring the rich history, cultural significance and linguistic diversity that make these surnames so unique.

From Spain to North Africa to the Middle East and beyond, Sephardic Jews have carried with them a legacy of resilience and adaptation, reflected in the diverse array of surnames that have endured for centuries.

Whether you’re a descendant of Sephardic Jews or simply curious about this often-overlooked aspect of Jewish heritage, get ready to embark on a captivating journey through time and tradition as we uncover the hidden gems within Sephardic Jewish last names.

Sephardic Jewish Last Names And Their Meanings

Abadi – From Abadia, meaning “abbey” or “monastery” in Spanish.

Abulafia – Derived from the Arabic word “abu-l-afia,” meaning “father of prosperity.”

Amar – Means “to say” or “to speak” in Hebrew.

Amarillo – Spanish for “yellow,” possibly a nickname based on hair color.

Baruch – Hebrew for “blessed” or “fortunate.”

Benaim – Derived from Arabic, meaning “son of the right hand” or “son of good fortune.”

Benarroch – Possibly derived from Arabic, meaning “son of the merchant.”

Bensusan – Derived from Arabic, meaning “son of Susan” or “lily.”

Benzaquen – Derived from Arabic, meaning “son of the zealous” or “son of the passionate.”

Berdugo – Spanish for “executioner” or “hangman.”

Bittan – Derived from Arabic, meaning “son of the fig tree.”

Bohbot – Derived from Arabic, meaning “father of the dough” or “father of the unleavened bread.”

Caro – Portuguese and Spanish for “dear” or “beloved.”

Cohen – Hebrew for “priest” or “descendant of Aaron.”

Dahan – Derived from Arabic, meaning “tough” or “strong.”

Darmon – Possibly derived from the Hebrew name “Darom,” meaning “south.”

Dayan – Hebrew for “judge.”

Elkayam – Hebrew for “God is eternal.”

Elmaleh – Arabic for “the salty one” or “the bitter one.”

Ezra – Hebrew for “help” or “assistance.”

Fassi – Referring to someone from the Moroccan city of Fes.

Franco – Spanish and Italian for “French,” often used as a surname for Sephardic Jews in areas with a significant French influence.

Gabay – Hebrew for “cantor” or “one who leads prayers.”

Gabizon – Possibly derived from the Arabic word “gabiz,” meaning “peanut.”

Ghedalia – Hebrew for “God is great.”

Ghiloufi – Derived from the Arabic word “ghalaf,” meaning “to replace” or “to substitute.”

Hacohen – Hebrew for “the priest” or “descendant of Aaron.”

Hadida – Hebrew for “myrtle,” a type of flowering plant.

Halevy – Hebrew for “Levite,” a member of the Levitical tribe.

Hamon – Hebrew for “multitude” or “abundance.”

Hanono – Derived from the Arabic word “hanun,” meaning “merciful” or “gracious.”

Harari – Possibly derived from the Arabic word “harar,” meaning “silk” or “silk merchant.”

Hasson – Derived from the Arabic word “hasuna,” meaning “to be beautiful” or “to be good.”

Houri – Arabic for “houri,” a beautiful woman in Islamic paradise.

Journo – Derived from the Arabic word “yourni,” meaning “my neighbor.”

Kadoch – Hebrew for “holy” or “sacred.”

Kassin – Derived from the Arabic word “kass,” meaning “cup” or “goblet.”

Knafo – Derived from the Aramaic word “knaf,” meaning “wing” or “edge.”

Laredo – Possibly derived from the Spanish city of Laredo.

Levy – Hebrew for “attached” or “joined,” often used to denote the tribe of Levi.

Lopes – Derived from the Portuguese and Spanish word “lobo,” meaning “wolf.”

Maimon – Derived from the Arabic name “Maimun,” meaning “fortunate” or “blessed.”

Mamane – Possibly derived from the Arabic word “mamun,” meaning “trustworthy” or “reliable.”

Maroc – French for “Morocco,” indicating origin or connection to the country.

Maslaton – Uncertain origin, but may be related to the Arabic word “maslaha,” meaning “profit” or “benefit.”

Medina – Spanish for “city” or “town.”

Mevorah – Derived from the Hebrew word “mevorach,” meaning “blessed” or “praised.”

Mizrachi – Hebrew for “Eastern,” often used to denote Jewish communities from the Middle East or Asia.

Nahon – Possibly derived from the Hebrew word “nahum,” meaning “comfort” or “consolation.”

Nakash – Hebrew for “snake” or “serpent.”

Nataf – Hebrew for “droplet” or “teardrop.”

Nessim – Derived from the Arabic name “Nasim,” meaning “breeze” or “gentle wind.”

Ohana – Hebrew for “grace” or “favor.”

Ovadia – Hebrew for “servant of God” or “God’s servant.”

Pinto – Derived from the Portuguese and Spanish word “pinto,” meaning “painted” or “spotted.”

Quitt – Uncertain origin, but may be related to the Yiddish word “kvit,” meaning “white.”

Rahamim – Hebrew for “compassion” or “mercy.”

Ribi – Hebrew for “teacher” or “master.”

Rousso – Possibly derived from the Hebrew word “rosh,” meaning “head” or “chief.”

Saba – Hebrew for “grandfather” or “elder.”

Sabbagh – Arabic for “dyer” or “cloth dyer.”

Sadi – Arabic for “fortunate” or “blessed.”

Safra – Arabic for “yellow” or “golden.”

Salkin – Possibly derived from the Yiddish word “zalkin,” meaning “elderly” or “old.”

Salomon – Hebrew for “peaceful” or “peaceful one.”

Sasson – Hebrew for “joy” or “happiness.”

Semah – Hebrew for “joyful” or “glad.”

Serero – Derived from the Arabic word “sirr,” meaning “secret” or “mystery.”

Serfaty – Derived from the Arabic word “sarf,” meaning “change” or “exchange.”

Shalom – Hebrew for “peace.”

Shemesh – Hebrew for “sun.”

Shoshan – Hebrew for “lily” or “rose.”

Siboni – Derived from the Hebrew word “sevani,” meaning “from Sevan,” a region in Armenia.

Tawil – Arabic for “tall” or “long.”

Toledano – Denotes connection to the Spanish city of Toledo.

Toledano-Arad – Indicates a combination of Toledano and Arad, possibly representing a familial connection.

Tubiana – Possibly derived from the Arabic word “tub,” meaning “good” or “virtuous.”

Uziel – Hebrew for “God is my strength.”

Vidal – Catalan for “life” or “vitality.”

Wazana – Uncertain origin, but may be related to the Arabic word “wazan,” meaning “weight” or “measure.”

Yahalom – Hebrew for “diamond” or “gemstone.”

Yedid – Hebrew for “beloved” or “friend.”

Yehuda – Hebrew for “praise” or “thanksgiving,” also the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.

Yomtov – Hebrew for “good day” or “holiday.”

Zagury – Uncertain origin, but may be related to the Hebrew word “zagur,” meaning “to reside” or “to dwell.”

Zaoui – Derived from the Arabic word “zaoui,” meaning “seller” or “merchant.”

Zekri – Derived from the Arabic word “zakariyya,” meaning “God remembers.”

Zerafa – Derived from the Arabic word “zarafa,” meaning “giraffe.”

Zerah – Hebrew for “rise” or “shine.”

Zeruya – Hebrew for “refined” or “purified.”

Zilberman – Yiddish for “silver man.”

Zini – Possibly derived from the Hebrew word “tzniut,” meaning “modesty.”

Zrihan – Possibly derived from the Arabic word “zahran,” meaning “flower.”

Zuckerman – Yiddish for “sugar man” or “confectioner.”

Zunzunegui – Possibly derived from the Basque language, meaning “place of swallows.”

Zurita – Derived from the Spanish word “zurita,” meaning “little female hawk.”

Zwang – Yiddish for “compulsion” or “necessity.”

Zylberberg – Yiddish for “silver mountain” or “silver hill.”

Zysman – Derived from the Yiddish word “tsuzman,” meaning “adviser” or “counselor.”

Note: The above 99 Sephardic Jewish last names can be used for both boys and girls, they are gender neutral so to speak.

Last Word on Sephardic Jewish Last Names

Sephardic Jewish last names carry a rich and diverse history that reflects the complex journey of the Sephardic Jewish community.

These Sephardic surnames serve as a reminder of the resilience and endurance of a people who have faced centuries of persecution and diaspora.

Understanding the origins and meanings behind these Sephardic Jewish last names can provide valuable insight into Sephardic heritage and identity.

Whether you are exploring your own family tree or simply interested in learning more about Sephardic culture, delving into the world of Sephardic Jewish last names is an enriching and rewarding experience.

Embracing this knowledge can help us preserve and celebrate the unique legacy of the Sephardic Jewish people for generations to come.

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