Surname Sherif - Meaning and Origin
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Sherif: What does the surname Sherif mean?
The last name Sherif is an Arabic surname, which originally means "nobility" or "prosperity". It is derived from the root words sherif and sharif, which refer to leadership, protection, and honor. Historically, it was used as a title of nobility for those who were of noble ancestry, particularly in Egypt and Gulf states.
The most common origin of the surname Sherif is from Hadhrami Arabs who originated in what is now Yemen but have since spread throughout the Middle East. It is believed that the Hadhrami Arab migrants to Egypt brought the surname with them, as well as the related surnames Al-Sharif and Al-Shareef.
Nowadays, the surname Sherif often denotes someone who is of a respectable, elite social standing, and it is likely to be passed down through generations of extended family and close-knit communities. In addition, the surname Sherif can be found in both Muslim and Christian communities living in North Africa and the Levant.
It is not only a surname of Arab descent, but is rather widespread among people from Middle Eastern, African, and Asian backgrounds. The name Sherif symbolizes a family history of wealth and honor, and is ultimately a sign of respect for one’s ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisSherif: Where does the name Sherif come from?
The last name Sherif can be found in many countries throughout the world. In the United States, Sherif is most common in the southeast, particularly in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. In Mississippi, it is the 74th most common surname. In South Carolina, it is the 31st most common surname.
In Canada, the last name Sherif is quite uncommon. The 2016 Canadian Census recorded only 82 Sherifs in the entire country.
In Britain, Sherif is most commonly found in England. According to a recent report, there were 271 Sherifs recorded in the 2011 UK census, with most being found in major cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham.
In the Middle East, Sherif is a popular surname. It is most common among people of Lebanese and Egyptian descent, as well as Palestinians living in Jordan and Syria. It is also popular in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.
Finally, in Africa Sherif is a relatively common name, especially in northern countries such as Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia. In Ethiopia, a recent study found that Sherif is the 24th most popular surname in the country.
Overall, it appears that Sherif is most common in the United States, the Middle East, and northern Africa.
Variations of the surname Sherif
The given surname Sherif can be spelt in a number of ways including Sherif, Sharif, Shariff, Shurif, Shuriff, Sharaf and Charif. Sherif is derived from the Arabic work “Shariff” meaning ‘noble one’.
It appears more predominantly in the Middle East and North Africa region, an area with a large population of Arabic speakers.
In some parts of the world, the name has taken other forms such as Scharif, Sharriff, and Sorif. Other regional variants of the name include Sherifov or Sherifovitch in Russia and former Soviet republics; Szariff in Hungary; and Charifis in Greece, which has a major population of Arab descent.
The common surnames derived from the Sherif include Sharif, Sherif, Charef, Ellicherif, Esharif, Shaderif, Sharifi, Shurif, Szariff and Sharaf.
Other such as Cherif, Chref, Charif, Chorif, Cherifsun, Choriff, and Scheref are also seen in various countries.
Sheriff is also an unrelated English surname derived from the Old French name “shivre”, meaning a shield maker. It’s also one of the oldest surnames which is found in old English records and was also used as a title by the nobility.
In conclusion, the given surname Sherif can be spelt in a number of different ways, depending on the different regional variants and language conventions. The various spellings and surnames associated with Sherif are sure to add to its historical significance.
Famous people with the name Sherif
- Rashad Sherif: An Egyptian actor, film producer, director, and screenwriter.
- Ahmed Sherif: An Egyptian singer and songwriter.
- Shadia Sherif: An Egyptian actress, nationally and internationally known for her roles in classic Egyptian films.
- Farid Ismeth Emir: A Malaysian writer and academic who was born of Malay-Sherif parents.
- Omar Sharif: A Cairo-born actor who gained international recognition for his roles in Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and Doctor Zhivago (1965).
- Marwan Sherif: A Lebanese actor and composer of multiple musical albums.
- Nader Sherif: An Egyptian film actor, director, and producer who is known for his work in Takfir and Play Your Cards Right.
- Lojein Sherif: An actress, presenter, and winner of the Miss Egypt 2010 beauty pageant.
- Ahmed Saleh Sherif: An Albanian businessman and philanthropist who was the first President and CEO of the Albanian-American Enterprise Fund.
- Laila Elwi: An Egyptian actress and daughter of prominent Egyptian father Youssef Sherif and Mother Laila Moussa Elwi.