Last name: Assaf

Recorded in various spellings including Aasaf, Asaaf, Assaf, Asif, As'ad, and Assad, this is an early Muslim name, probably from a time of at least three thousand years ago. Believed to be of Persian origins, it was a given name, but now can be either a surname or a first name, and in some cases both male and female. It is a descriptive form of endearment, and the meaning is 'pure or genuine'. It is said that the traditions of Muslim names and name giving, are a gift from Allah, who demanded that they be pleasant and reflect the glories of life and nature. Historically Muslim names have upheld the ancient hereditary tradition of adding the fathers name or sometimes the grandfathers, to that of the child, the place of birth, and then the clan or tribal name. This tradition like many others, is under threat by such influences as taxation and the telephone. The telephone, particularly in areas of western influence, demands a 'fixed' spelling for its directories. This creates a 'locked in' surname, which is required for administrative purposes, but is causing distortion to Muslim culture. It is not clear what the long term effect will be. Muslim names were originally recorded in sanscript, which still remains the most popular form, the spellings in the Romanish alphabet being phonetic or "sounds like" forms.

Visitor Comments

B
Please explain to me how a name that predates the birth of Mohammed by a good 2,000 years has a 'Muslim' origin.

David Assaf
"Islam" means submission and hence "muslim" may be applied to anyone who submits to the greater glory of God... in other words, there were muslims long before Muhammaed PBUH brought the message to arabs. Hope that helps. Cheers, Dave

Luis Assaf
Its not an islamic name might wanna re-do this

joshua
is this orginally a turkish surname.

rose
yes, because the assaf clan or family is origined from turky and they were nobels and this surname is writen in jew's book. Muslim and Christian Arabic: from an Arabic personal name asaf, of unknown etymology. This was the name of Suleiman’s grand wazir, whence it came to be used proverbially as a name for any wise counselor.Jewish (Sephardic): either an adoption of the Arabic name or from the Biblical name Asaph, name of a counselor of King David and King Solomon, to whom authorship of twelve of the Psalms is attributed (1 Chronicles 16:4–5; Psalms 50, 73–83). but i don't believe it because we are not arabs. Assaf Family History and Origins The Assaf family name is an old heredity that has migrated all across the world over time, and as the name Assaf has migrated, it has changed making it's etymology a challenge to uncover. This page is dedicated to the complete history of the Assaf family name, Assaf etymology, and history of Assaf family members. Assaf family history has a complex evolution whose details can be pieced together by Assaf family members i've been puzzeled about those infos but i'm proud of being a member in this clan. thank you

joshua
does this mean the assaf family in lebanon are of turkish descent