Last Name Abdullah

The origin of the last name Abdullah can be traced back to Arabic and Islamic traditions. The name Abdullah is derived from the Arabic word "Abd," which means "servant" or "slave," and "Allah" meaning "God" or "the divine." When combined, Abdullah can be interpreted to mean "servant of God" or "worshipper of God." It is a common name among Muslims and is often used as a given name for males, reflecting a strong religious affiliation and devotion to God. The name has been widespread across various parts of the Arab world and other regions with Muslim populations.

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Abdullah

The ethnicity distribution for the surname Abdullah also changed during this period as per the Decennial U.S. Census data. The highest percentage of people with this surname identified as Black, though this decreased slightly from 58.22% in 2000 to 51.36% in 2010. The second largest ethnic identity was White, which grew from 16.93% in 2000 to 24.40% in 2010. People of Asian/Pacific Islander descent made up 12.15% of the Abdullahs in 2000 and increased to 13.74% in 2010. Those identifying as Two or more races dropped from 10.45% to 7.28% over the decade. Meanwhile, the proportion of Abdullahs who identified as Hispanic rose from 1.88% to 2.96%, while those identifying as American Indian and Alaskan Native declined from 0.38% to 0.26%.

	2000	2010	Change
Black	58.22%	51.36%	-11.78%
White	16.93%	24.4%	44.12%
Asian/Pacific Islander	12.15%	13.74%	13.09%
Two or More Races	10.45%	7.28%	-30.33%
Hispanic	1.88%	2.96%	57.45%
American Indian and Alaskan Native	0.38%	0.26%	-31.58%

Abdullah ancestry composition

NomOrigine computes an ancestry breakdown for each customer. People may have ancestry from just one population or they may have ancestry from several populations. The most commonly-observed ancestry found in people with the surname Abdullah is Nigerian, which comprises 11.8% of all ancestry found in people with the surname. The next two most common ancestries are Northern Indian & Pakistani (10.9%) and British & Irish (9.0%). Additional ancestries include Ghanaian, Liberian & Sierra Leonean, Peninsular Arab, Iranian, Caucasian & Mesopotamian, Levantine, and Bengali & Northeast Indian.

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ANCESTRY BREAKDOWN	COMPOSITION
Nigerian	11.8%
Northern Indian & Pakistani	10.9%
British & Irish	9.0%
Other	68.3%

Your paternal lineage may be linked to men who spread the Semitic languages

Men carrying the J-M267 lineage took part in many waves of migrations over the millennia, and domesticated animals and plants weren't the only things they carried. They may also have been among the communities that spread the Semitic languages, a diverse group that bloomed from a single proto-Semitic tongue in the Levant nearly 5,750 years ago. These men likely carried branches of both haplogroup J and of the Semitic language family through the Arabian Peninsula to the Horn of Africa. Still later, some J-M267-bearing men re-expanded from the Arabian Peninsula back through the Middle East and across North Africa in migrations associated with the emergence and spread of Islam.

Your maternal lineage may be linked to Marie Antoinette

Because it is so dominant in the general European population, haplogroup H also appears quite frequently in the continent's royal houses. Marie Antoinette, an Austrian Hapsburg who married into the French royal family, inherited the haplogroup from her maternal ancestors. So did Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, whose recorded genealogy traces his female line to Bavaria. Scientists also discovered that famed 16th century astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus traced his maternal lineages to haplogroup H.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Abdullah

The meaning and origin of the last name Abdullah

The surname Abdullah is of Arabic origin and has deep historical and cultural roots within the Islamic world. Derived from the Arabic word "Abd Allah," it translates to "servant of Allah" or "slave of God." The name Abdullah is highly significant in Islam, as it refers to Abdul, meaning "servant" or "slave," and Allah, meaning "God." Muslims often bestow this name upon their children as an expression of their devotion and submission to Allah. The name Abdullah can be traced back to the time of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, as it was directly associated with him through close companions and family members. Due to the spread of Islam across many regions, the surname Abdullah became widespread, particularly among Arabs and those of Arab descent. Today, the surname Abdullah is found across the globe, carried by individuals of diverse backgrounds who identify with the Islamic faith or have ancestral ties to the Arab world. It stands as a testament to their religious heritage and serves as a reminder of the individuals' commitment to serving and honoring Allah.

Geographical distribution of the last name Abdullah

The last name Abdullah has a widespread geographical distribution across the world. It is predominantly found in countries with a significant Muslim population due to its Arabic origins. In the Middle East, countries such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Iraq have a high concentration of individuals with the last name Abdullah. These countries often have large Muslim populations and are known for their strong Islamic traditions and cultural ties. The name Abdullah can also be found in Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, where Islam is the dominant religion. These countries have diverse populations, and the name Abdullah is a common choice for Muslim families. In addition to the Middle East and Southeast Asia, the last name Abdullah can also be found in other parts of the world with Muslim communities, such as Pakistan, India, and various African countries. Migration and diaspora communities have also contributed to the spread of the surname Abdullah in countries like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, reflecting the global nature and diversity of the Muslim population.

Variants and spellings of the last name Abdullah

The last name Abdullah can have several variations and spellings. Common variations include Abdallah, Abd Allah, Abdulah, and Abdollah. These variations may be attributed to regional or cultural differences, as the name is of Arabic origin and widely used in many countries. Additionally, other spelling variations might arise due to phonetic translations when adopting the name in different languages. In some cases, people may choose to hyphenate the name, such as Abdullah-Smith or Abdullah-Khan, to combine it with another surname. Furthermore, transliteration variations might occur when converting the Arabic script into different writing systems, like Cyrillic or Latin alphabets. Despite these variations, the core meaning of the name remains the same—Abdullah translates to "servant of God" or "slave of God" in Arabic.

Famous people with the last name Abdullah

There are several notable individuals with the last name Abdullah who have made significant contributions in various fields. One prominent figure is Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, the current reigning king of Jordan. Known for his diplomatic approach and commitment to modernization, King Abdullah II has played a vital role in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East. Another noteworthy name is Ahmad Abdullah, a renowned Egyptian football player who achieved great success in the 1980s and 1990s, primarily as part of the Zamalek Sporting Club. His exceptional skills as a midfielder and his numerous accolades have solidified his place as one of Egypt's greatest football icons. Additionally, Tunku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, a member of the Malaysian royal family, has excelled as a sports administrator and was even elected as the President of the Asian Hockey Federation. His contributions to promoting and developing hockey in Asia have been invaluable.

Genealogical research on the last name Abdullah

The surname Abdullah is of Arabic origin and holds significant historical and cultural roots. The name derives from the given name Abdullah, which means "servant of Allah" in Arabic, emphasizing devotion to God. The genealogical research of the Abdullah family unveils a rich heritage linked to the Islamic faith. Originating from the Arabian Peninsula, families with the surname Abdullah can be found across various regions and countries with a strong Muslim presence, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Indonesia, Malaysia, and many others. The lineage of the Abdullahs often traces back to notable figures in Islamic history, such as companions of the Prophet Muhammad, scholars, or leaders. This research reveals a continuous thread connecting individuals with a shared ancestral background, shaping their identities, values, and religious practices. The exploration of genealogy further illustrates the diversified heritage and the global impact of the Abdullah surname, showcasing the unifying influence of Islam in diverse communities worldwide.

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Abdullah"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 April 2025

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