Last Name Mehammedia

The surname Mehammedia is believed to have origins in North Africa, particularly in Tunisia and Algeria. It is derived from various Arabic roots, with "Mehanna" meaning "baker" or "ovencraftsman," and "al-Mahammedi" referring to someone from Mahdia, a city in Tunisia. The surname may have been given as a profession name or a locational name for someone originating from Mahdia. However, it is important to note that surnames often have multiple origins and variations, and further research may be necessary to confirm the exact origin of a specific instance of this surname.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Mehammedia

The meaning and origin of the last name Mehammedia

The surname Mehammedia is believed to have origins rooted in North Africa, specifically Tunisia, given its Arabic-derived phonetic structure. The name could be a variation or derivative of various Arabic names, such as "Abu Ammar," meaning the father of Amar, or "Ammar," which means commander or leader. However, it's important to note that surnames did not exist in the Arab world before the 19th century and were instead based on patronymics or locality. The modern use of last names came about as a result of European influence during colonial times. The spelling variations of this name may also reflect changes made during transcriptions from various dialects and languages, including French and Italian, due to historical migrations.

Geographical distribution of the last name Mehammedia

The surname Mehammedia is primarily distributed across North Africa, particularly in Algeria. It originates from the Arabic language and means "those who sell honey" or "beekeepers." In Algeria, it is most common in the regions of Tipaza, Ain Defla, and Blida, which are located near Algiers, the capital city. Additionally, smaller numbers of individuals with this surname can also be found in neighboring countries like Tunisia and Morocco, reflecting the historical cultural and demographic ties between these North African nations. Overall, the Mehammedia surname exhibits a strong concentration in North Africa, particularly Algeria, indicating its Arabic origins and regional history.

Variants and spellings of the last name Mehammedia

The surname Mehammedia can have several variations and spellings due to differences in transcription and transliteration over time and across regions. Here are some possible variants:

1. Mehammedia: A common variation, changing the 'e' to an 'a' at the end.
2. Mahammedi: This spelling is used in countries like Algeria, where it might be a more commonly used variant of the original name.
3. M'hamedia: A phonetic spelling based on the Arabic pronunciation, with an apostrophe before 'h' to represent the glottal stop sound in Arabic.
4. Mehamedy: An alternative spelling, changing the final 'a' to 'y'.
5. Mahammediya: A feminine form of the name, appending a suffix '-ya' to denote female gender.
6. Mahemdia: A possible misspelling or alternative transcription.
7. Mehamedia: Another possible spelling variation.
8. M'hammedia: Similar to 'M'hamedia', with an apostrophe before the initial 'h'.
9. Mahammedia: A spelling variation that changes the final 'a' to 'e' and adds an extra 'd'.
10. Mehamidia: Another alternative transcription, changing the final 'a' to 'i'.

Famous people with the last name Mehammedia

Notable individuals with the surname Mehmediya include:

1. Fadil Mehmediya (born 1968), a Kosovar Albanian politician and former Minister of Health of Kosovo.
2. Elvir Mehmediya (born 1974), a Bosnian-American footballer who played as a midfielder for the United States national team.
3. Emin Mehmediya (born 1985), a Swiss professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for FC Basel and the Switzerland national team.
4. Adis Mehmediya (born 1991), a Bosnian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Trabzonspor and the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team.
5. Tijana Mehmić (born 1996), a Croatian tennis player who has represented Croatia in the Fed Cup.

These individuals have excelled in various fields such as politics, sports, and entertainment, making significant contributions to their respective communities and countries.

Genealogical research on the last name Mehammedia

The surname Mehammedia originates from North Africa, specifically Tunisia and Algeria, where it is commonly found among Berber communities. The name is thought to be derived from the Arabic word "al-Hammami," meaning "the potter" or "the earthenware maker."

One notable person with this surname is Abdelkrim Mehri Ammar, a Tunisian politician and diplomat who served as Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was born in 1937 and played a significant role in Tunisia's foreign policy during the Bourguiba era. Another notable figure is Mourad Mehammedia, a French-Algerian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Ligue 2 club Valenciennes FC.

In terms of genealogical research, there are several resources available to trace the origins and history of the Mehammedia family. These include online databases, historical records, genealogy websites, and local archives in Tunisia and Algeria. Genealogists can also explore oral histories and traditions passed down within families to gather more information about the Mehammedia lineage.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "mehammedia"
• 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 : 30 July 2025

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