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Last Name Kafaji

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What is the origin of the last name Kafaji?

The surname Kafaji is of Arabic origin. It is derived from the Arabic name "Kafej" which means "coffee maker". This surname is common among Arabic-speaking populations and its variant forms can be found in various Middle Eastern countries like Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Jordan, and Iraq. Over time, due to migration and assimilation, the spelling of the name has been adapted to conform with local phonetics and orthography.
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Learn more about the origin of the last name Kafaji

The meaning and origin of the last name Kafaji

The surname Kafaji is of Arabic origin and is derived from the Arabic name "Kaffaji," which translates to "the one who wears or sells copper" in English. This surname is primarily found among Arabic communities, particularly in North Africa and the Middle East. The name likely originated as a profession-based name, reflecting the occupation of the individual being a coppersmith. Over time, it has been adopted and spread through migration and assimilation into various cultures and regions.

Geographical distribution of the last name Kafaji

The Kafaji surname is predominantly distributed across various regions within the Middle East, particularly in countries such as Iraq, Iran, and Syria. It is also found among the Assyrian and Chaldean communities in diaspora, with significant populations residing in countries like the United States, Canada, Sweden, Australia, and Germany. The name originates from the Semitic language and is a variation of Qafar, a common Arabic name meaning "falcon." This geographical dispersion suggests a historical migration pattern among people sharing this surname, likely linked to cultural, religious, or political factors over time.

Variants and spellings of the last name Kafaji

The Kafaji surname has several variations and spellings due to differences in transcription and translation over time. Some common versions include Cafej, Cafaggi, Kafaiji, Kafay, Kafai, Kaphagi, Kafagy, Kaffagy, Kaffai, and Kaphaj. These variations may have originated from slight misspellings, transliterations in different languages, or regional dialects. The name is of Arabic and Persian origin and can be translated as "the scribe" or "the secretary." It is a common surname among communities with roots in the Middle East.

Famous people with the last name Kafaji

Notable individuals with the surname Kafaji include:

1. Naima Kafaji (born 1946), an Iraqi-American author, professor, and scholar who has written extensively on Middle Eastern literature and women's studies.

2. Said Kafaji (1870–1957), a prominent Ottoman-Albanian political figure who served as Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire from 1913 to 1914.

3. Youssef Kafaji (born 1962), a Syrian actor known for his roles in films like "The Time That Remains" and "Omar."

4. Ahmad Kafaji (1870–1935), an Iraqi writer, poet, and intellectual who played a significant role in the development of modern Arabic literature.

These individuals have made significant contributions to their respective fields, spanning academia, politics, art, and literature.

Genealogical research on the last name Kafaji

The Kafaji surname is predominantly of Arabic origin, stemming from the Middle East. It is believed to be a variant or derivation of the name "Al-Kafaja," which means "the weaver" in Arabic, referring to a profession or a place name. The Kafajis are primarily found among Arab communities in various parts of the world, including the Middle East, North Africa, and the diaspora. Notable historical figures with the Kafaji surname include Ibrahim Kafaji Pasha, an Ottoman military officer, and Muhammad al-Kafji, a scholar and poet from Yemen in the 19th century. In modern times, the Kafaji family can be found across many countries, reflecting their diverse history and migration patterns over centuries.

Last name distribution maps

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NomOrigine Team
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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.

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