Sephardic Jewish last names hold a significant place in Jewish history, culture, and identity. These surnames originate from Jews who lived in the Iberian Peninsula—Spain and Portugal—before the late 15th century, when many were expelled due to the Spanish Inquisition. The term “Sephardic” itself comes from “Sepharad,” a Hebrew word for Spain. After their expulsion, many Sephardic Jews migrated to various parts of the world, including North Africa, the Ottoman Empire, and the Americas, carrying their names and traditions with them.
The surnames reflect a rich tapestry of influences, often blending elements from Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, and Hebrew languages. They can indicate geographical origins, occupations, or even personal characteristics. For example, some names are derived from towns or cities, while others reflect professions like “miller” or “farmer.” Additionally, many surnames incorporate Hebrew words that signify blessings, virtues, or historical connections. As a result, each surname tells a unique story about the family’s heritage and experiences.
Exploring Sephardic last names not only helps to understand the diverse backgrounds of Jewish communities but also connects us to their resilience and rich traditions. Here is a list of 80 Sephardic Jewish last names, each representing a piece of history waiting to be discovered.
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Top Sephardic Jewish Last Names
List of Sephardic Jewish last names
1. Abadi
Abadi is a surname of Arabic origin, meaning “eternal” or “everlasting.” It is common among Sephardic Jews, particularly those from North Africa.
2. Alfasi
Alfasi refers to someone from Fez, Morocco. The name is derived from the Arabic “Fassi,” signifying a connection to the city known for its rich Jewish history.
3. Alderete
Alderete is a Spanish surname that can trace its roots to Sephardic Jews who were expelled from Spain. It often signifies nobility or a connection to the historical nobility of Spain.
4. Alonso
Alonso is a common Spanish name that has been adopted by Sephardic Jews. It may signify “noble” or “ready for battle,” indicating strength and valor.
5. Amezquita
Amezquita means “the thicket” or “the brush” in Spanish. This name is often associated with Sephardic families from the Iberian Peninsula.
6. Aroyo
Aroyo is a surname derived from “arroyo,” meaning “stream” or “brook” in Spanish. It is believed to have originated from the geographical features of the regions where Sephardic Jews lived.
7. Avraham
Avraham is a Hebrew name meaning “father of many.” It reflects the biblical patriarch Abraham, a significant figure in Judaism and among Sephardic communities.
8. Benveniste
Benveniste translates to “son of the blessed.” It has origins in the Iberian Peninsula and is commonly found among Sephardic families.
9. Cohen
Cohen, meaning “priest,” denotes descent from the Jewish priestly class. This surname is prevalent across Jewish communities, including Sephardic Jews.
10. Dahan
Dahan is a surname of Arabic origin, meaning “pleasant” or “delightful.” It is often associated with North African Sephardic Jews.
11. Daniel
Daniel is a common name derived from Hebrew, meaning “God is my judge.” It is frequently used as a surname in Sephardic communities.
12. Duarte
Duarte is a Portuguese name that has been adopted by some Sephardic Jews. It may signify a “guardian” or “protector.”
13. Elbaz
Elbaz means “the hawk” in Arabic. This surname is found among Sephardic Jews, particularly those from North Africa and the Middle East.
14. Elkin
Elkin is a surname that can have both Ashkenazi and Sephardic origins. It is derived from Hebrew, meaning “God’s youth.”
15. Friedman
Friedman is a surname that means “man of peace” in Yiddish. Though more common among Ashkenazi Jews, it can also be found in Sephardic families.
16. Gabbai
Gabbai is derived from Hebrew, meaning “collector” or “treasurer.” It refers to a person responsible for collecting charity in the Jewish community.
17. Golan
Golan is a name that signifies the Golan Heights region, which has historical significance in Jewish tradition. It can be found among Sephardic Jews from Israel.
18. Hasson
Hasson means “noble” or “generous” in Arabic. This surname is common among Sephardic families, particularly from North Africa.
19. Hernández
Hernández is a common Spanish surname meaning “son of Hernando.” Some Sephardic families adopted this surname during the Spanish Inquisition.
20. Katz
Katz is an acronym for “Kohen Tzedek,” meaning “righteous priest” in Hebrew. It is prevalent among both Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews.
21. Klein
Klein is a surname meaning “small” in German. While primarily Ashkenazi, some Sephardic families have adopted it.
22. López
López means “son of Lope” in Spanish. It is a common surname that has been used by some Sephardic Jews in Spain and Latin America.
23. Mizrahi
Mizrahi means “eastern” in Hebrew, referring to Jews from Middle Eastern countries. This name is widely used among Sephardic communities.
24. Moreno
Moreno means “dark-skinned” in Spanish. This surname is often associated with Sephardic Jews, particularly those from Spain.
25. Nissim
Nissim is a Hebrew name meaning “miracles.” It is often used as a surname among Sephardic families, reflecting their historical resilience.
26. Pinto
Pinto is a surname of Spanish origin that means “painted” or “spotted.” It is commonly found among Sephardic Jews.
27. Ribera
Ribera means “riverbank” in Spanish. This surname is associated with geographical features and is common among Sephardic families.
28. Roth
Roth is a surname meaning “red” in German. While typically Ashkenazi, it can also be found among Sephardic Jews.
29. Sáenz
Sáenz means “son of Sancho” in Spanish. It is a common surname that has been adopted by Sephardic Jews in various regions.
30. Salomón
Salomón is a Hebrew name meaning “peace.” It is often used as a surname among Sephardic families, reflecting their cultural heritage.
31. Sasson
Sasson means “joy” in Hebrew. This surname is found among Sephardic Jews and reflects a positive sentiment.
32. Sidi
Sidi means “sir” or “mister” in Arabic. It is often used as an honorific title among Sephardic communities.
33. Solomon
Solomon is a name of Hebrew origin meaning “peace.” It is a common surname among Sephardic Jews, often associated with King Solomon.
34. Toledano
Toledano refers to someone from Toledo, Spain. It is a surname associated with Sephardic Jews from the Iberian Peninsula.
35. Valencia
Valencia is a surname derived from the city in Spain. It has historical significance among Sephardic communities from the region.
36. Vidal
Vidal is a surname that means “life” in Latin. It has been adopted by some Sephardic Jews and reflects vitality and resilience.
37. Zaragoza
Zaragoza is a surname associated with the city in Spain. It is often found among Sephardic families from the region.
38. Zohar
Zohar means “radiance” or “splendor” in Hebrew. It is a name found in some Sephardic Jewish communities.
39. Zulauf
Zulauf is a surname that may have German origins but can also be found among some Sephardic families in Europe.
40. Benatar
Benatar is a surname meaning “son of Atar.” It has roots in the Sephardic Jewish community, particularly from North Africa.
41. Benveniste
Benveniste translates to “son of the blessed.” This surname has origins in the Iberian Peninsula and is common among Sephardic families.
42. Alfaro
Alfaro is a surname derived from a place name in Spain. It is often associated with Sephardic Jews who lived in the region.
43. Tzarfati
Tzarfati means “French” in Hebrew and refers to Jews of French origin. It is used in some Sephardic communities.
44. Guerra
Guerra means “war” in Spanish. This surname may have historical significance among Sephardic families involved in various conflicts.
45. Grinberg
Grinberg is a surname meaning “green mountain” in Yiddish. While more common among Ashkenazi Jews, it can also be found among Sephardic families.
46. Sefardi
Sefardi means “Spanish” in Hebrew and directly refers to Jews from the Iberian Peninsula. It is often used as a surname in Sephardic communities.
47. Abravanel
Abravanel is a surname of Portuguese origin, associated with a prominent family in Jewish history. They played significant roles during the Iberian Inquisition.
48. Carmona
Carmona is a surname that refers to a town in Spain. It is commonly found among Sephardic Jews with roots in the region.
Here’s an additional list of Sephardic Jewish last names, formatted with details:
49. Abenatar
Abenatar is derived from Arabic origins, meaning “son of Atar.” It is a surname found among Sephardic Jews, particularly those with roots in North Africa.
50. Adato
Adato means “gift” in Hebrew. This surname is often associated with families of Sephardic descent, reflecting a tradition of generosity.
51. Alhadeff
Alhadeff is of Arabic origin, meaning “the guide.” It is commonly found among Sephardic Jews, especially those from Turkey and the Balkans.
52. Almonte
Almonte is a Spanish surname that can indicate someone from a mountain area. It is often associated with Sephardic families who settled in Latin America.
53. Benami
Benami means “son of my people” in Hebrew. This surname is often used by Sephardic Jews to reflect their identity and heritage.
54. Benvenisti
Benvenisti means “son of the blessed” in Hebrew and is a variation of Benveniste. It highlights the familial connections within Sephardic communities.
55. Chalom
Chalom is derived from the Hebrew word for “dream.” This surname is found among Sephardic Jews and reflects aspirations and hope.
56. Cotler
Cotler is a surname that can have both Ashkenazi and Sephardic roots, possibly linked to the occupation of a “cotler” or “cask maker.”
57. Eskenazi
Eskenazi refers to people from the Ashkenazi Jewish community, but some families have adopted it as a surname reflecting mixed heritage.
58. Hacohen
Hacohen means “the priest” in Hebrew. It indicates descent from the priestly class and is common among Sephardic Jews.
59. Kadosh
Kadosh means “holy” in Hebrew. This surname is used by Sephardic families and reflects a strong spiritual heritage.
60. Kirshner
Kirshner is a surname meaning “cherry farmer” in Yiddish. Though it primarily has Ashkenazi origins, some Sephardic families may have adopted it.
61. Lavi
Lavi means “lion” in Hebrew. It is a surname often associated with strength and bravery in Sephardic Jewish culture.
62. Maimon
Maimon is derived from the Hebrew word for “the one who is blessed.” It is historically linked to the prominent Maimonides family.
63. Maron
Maron is a surname that can mean “bitter” in Hebrew. It is often found among Sephardic Jews, especially those from the Mediterranean region.
64. Meir
Meir means “one who shines” in Hebrew. This surname reflects brightness and is commonly found among Sephardic families.
65. Mizrahi
Mizrahi means “eastern” in Hebrew, referring to Jews from the Middle East and North Africa. It emphasizes the geographical roots of many Sephardic Jews.
66. Morel
Morel is a surname that is common in Spain and has been adopted by Sephardic families. It may refer to someone who is associated with a particular location.
67. Ocampo
Ocampo is a surname of Spanish origin that has been adopted by Sephardic families, often indicating a connection to a specific geographic area.
68. Pardo
Pardo means “brown” in Spanish and is often associated with Sephardic Jews who lived in Spain and Latin America.
69. Ramos
Ramos means “branches” in Spanish and can signify a connection to family trees. It is commonly found among Sephardic families.
70. Romano
Romano means “Roman” in Spanish and Italian, indicating origins connected to the Roman heritage of some Sephardic families.
71. Sanabria
Sanabria is a surname of Spanish origin, often associated with Sephardic Jews from the Iberian Peninsula.
72. Sanz
Sanz is derived from the name “Sancho” and is commonly used among Sephardic Jews, particularly in Spain and Latin America.
73. Sefaradi
Sefaradi translates to “Spanish” in Hebrew and is a term used to describe Jews from the Iberian Peninsula, encompassing a rich cultural identity.
74. Taha
Taha is of Arabic origin, meaning “pure” or “innocent.” This surname is found among Sephardic Jews, especially those from North Africa.
75. Toledo
Toledo is a surname associated with the historic city in Spain. It reflects the deep roots of Sephardic Jews in the Iberian Peninsula.
76. Valerio
Valerio is a surname that can mean “to be strong” in Latin. It has been adopted by some Sephardic families.
77. Vargas
Vargas is a surname of Spanish origin that has been used by Sephardic Jews, often indicating a geographical connection.
78. Zamorim
Zamorim refers to a “keeper of the garden” in Hebrew. It is a surname found among Sephardic families, reflecting a connection to nature.
79. Zekaria
Zekaria is derived from the Hebrew name Zechariah, meaning “God remembers.” It is used as a surname among Sephardic Jews.
80. Zohar
Zohar means “radiance” or “splendor” in Hebrew. This surname is commonly associated with Jewish mysticism and spirituality.
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