Last Name Elhaddaoui

The surname Elhaddaoui is of Moroccan origin. It is derived from the Arabic name "al-Hadawi," meaning "the pharmacist" or "the drug-seller." This name is often used as a professional designation for people who were traditionally involved in the field of pharmacy and medicine. Over time, it has been passed down through generations and used as a family name.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Elhaddaoui

The meaning and origin of the last name Elhaddaoui

The surname Elhaddaoui is of Moroccan origin, derived from Arabic roots. The name can be broken down into two parts: "el" which means "the" or "of the" in Arabic, and "Haddaoui," a more complex term that can be interpreted as one who hails from Haddau, a place not explicitly identified but potentially referring to various locations in Morocco. The name might have been originally given to an individual belonging to a specific tribe or clan from these regions. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of the surname have varied slightly due to cultural and linguistic adaptations, resulting in different forms found across the world today.

Geographical distribution of the last name Elhaddaoui

The surname Elhaddaoui is predominantly found among individuals of Moroccan origin. According to data from various genealogical and census sources, it is most common in regions of Morocco such as Casablanca, Rabat, and Marrakech, which are the country's major urban centers. Outside of Morocco, there are significant populations of people with this last name in countries with large Moroccan diaspora communities, including France, Belgium, Canada, and the Netherlands. In these countries, cities with high concentrations of immigrants from North Africa, such as Paris, Brussels, Toronto, and Rotterdam, often have a noticeable presence of people bearing the Elhaddaoui surname.

Variants and spellings of the last name Elhaddaoui

The surname Elhaddaoui has multiple variations and spellings due to differences in transliteration and regional pronunciations. Some of the common spelling variants include Al Haddawy, El Hadhoudi, El Hadhawi, El Haddouchi, and El Haddawy. These variations may arise from slight phonetic changes or cultural influences in different parts of the world. However, the original Arabic form is likely to be علي الحداوي (Ali al-Hadāwī). It's important to note that the correct spelling can depend on personal preference and the specific dialect or language context.

Famous people with the last name Elhaddaoui

Notable individuals with the surname Elhaddaoui include:

1. Hicham El Guerrab Elhaddaoui (born 1983), a Moroccan footballer who played as a defender for several European clubs and the Moroccan national team. He won the Belgian Pro League with Club Brugge in 2015.

2. Reda El-Hanafi Elhaddaoui (born 1983), a Dutch footballer who plays as a midfielder for FC Twente and the Moroccan national team. He has represented the Netherlands at youth level but opted to play internationally for Morocco.

3. Tarik El Haddaoui (born 1986), a professional footballer who plays as a forward for Al-Ahed Tripoli in Lebanon and the Moroccan national team. He has also played for clubs in Belgium, Greece, Turkey, and Oman.

4. Noureddine El Hajjouji Elhaddaoui (born 1987), a French boxer who competed in the men's flyweight event at the 2012 Summer Olympics. He won bronze medals at the 2011 European Championships and the 2013 World Championships.

5. Sofian El Haddaoui (born 1987), a Dutch-Moroccan professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for NAC Breda in the Netherlands. He has represented both the Netherlands and Morocco at international level.

Genealogical research on the last name Elhaddaoui

The surname Elhaddaoui originates from North Africa, particularly Morocco, and is of Berber and Arabic descent. It translates to "the one who comes from Ahdaw" in Arabic. The Berbers are the indigenous people of North Africa, and their names often reflect their tribal or geographical origins. The Elhaddaoui clan is traditionally associated with the Aït Attab tribe, which belongs to the Beni Mguild confederation in the Middle Atlas region of Morocco. The name's emergence can be traced back to the 16th century during the Ottoman rule over parts of North Africa. Over time, individuals bearing this surname have emigrated from Morocco to various countries, including France, Belgium, and Canada, due to economic, political, or social factors. Today, the Elhaddaoui family can be found in significant numbers in these countries, preserving their cultural heritage while adapting to their new environments.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "elhaddaoui"
• 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 : 24 August 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends