Origin of your surname and forename !
NomOrigine

Last Name Natan

Discover my family history now

What is the origin of the last name Natan?

The surname Natan is of Hebrew origin. In Hebrew, Natan means "given" or "granted". It is a biblical name that appears several times in the Old Testament, most notably as the prophet Nathan who was a close advisor to King David. As a surname, it may have been derived from this religious context or could have originated from a personal name among Jewish communities.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Natan

The meaning and origin of the last name Natan

The surname Natan is of Hebrew origin, deriving from the biblical name Nathan, which means "given" or "he gave." In the Old Testament, Nathan is a prophet who appears in the books of Samuel and Kings, delivering God's messages to King David and Solomon. It is likely that this surname has been borne by individuals of Jewish ancestry, as well as those with Hebrew cultural connections, throughout history. The name spread globally among Jewish communities during various periods of migration, such as the diaspora following the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD and subsequent waves of emigration over the centuries. Today, Natan is a common surname among Jews worldwide, reflecting its rich historical and religious roots.

Geographical distribution of the last name Natan

The surname Natan has a diverse geographical distribution, with significant concentrations across various regions globally. In Israel, it is one of the most common Jewish surnames, reflecting its historical roots in the region. It is also prevalent among Ashkenazi Jews in countries such as Poland, Russia, and the United States, where many Jewish immigrants originated from. Additionally, Natan can be found in other parts of Europe, particularly in Germany and Scandinavian countries due to historical Jewish communities. Outside Europe, it is present in North African countries like Morocco and Tunisia, which have significant Jewish populations. In the United States, the name has been widely dispersed across various states, with New York having a high concentration due to the large Jewish immigration from Eastern Europe during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Natan

The surname Natan has several variations and spelling alternatives across different regions and languages. Some common variants include Nathan, Natanen, Natanovich, Natanson, Natteau, Natahn, and Nathen. These alterations may be due to phonetic transliteration from other languages or simply differences in spelling conventions over time. In Hebrew, the name Natan means "given" or "granted," and it is a common name of Jewish origin. The variant Nathan is widely used among English speakers, particularly those of Jewish heritage, while Natan and its variations are more commonly found in European countries with large Jewish populations, such as Poland, Russia, and Germany.

Famous people with the last name Natan

Notable individuals with the surname Natan include:

1. Shlomo Natan (born 1941), an Israeli mathematician known for his work on non-standard analysis and set theory. He has received numerous awards, including the Israel Prize for Mathematics in 2013.

2. David Gurwitsch Natan (1876-1952), a Russian painter who was part of the Jewish art movement known as The Haskalah. His works often depicted Jewish life and themes.

3. Aryeh Natan Janoschka (born 1948), better known by his pen name Erich Kästner, was a German author, journalist, and playwright. He is best known for children's books like "Emil und die Detektive" (Emil and the Detectives).

4. Natan Sharansky (born 1948), a Russian-Israeli politician and human rights activist. He was a refusenik in the Soviet Union, advocating for Jewish emigration, before moving to Israel and serving as a minister in various governments.

Genealogical research on the last name Natan

The surname Natan originates from various ethnic groups and regions, making its precise origin challenging to determine. In Hebrew, Natan means "given" or "gift," which suggests potential origins in Judaism. However, the name is also found among Ashkenazi Jews, who originated from Central and Eastern Europe, indicating a possible Germanic influence due to the similarity with the Old High German name "Natan." Additionally, the name Natan is found in Scandinavian countries, where it may have Norwegian, Danish, or Swedish roots. Notable figures bearing this surname include the medieval Hebrew poet Nathan ben Judah and Rabbi Nathan Adler, Chief Rabbi of Great Britain in the 19th century. The geographical distribution of the name reflects its diverse origins, being found predominantly in Israel, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and various European countries.

Last name distribution maps

Chargement de la carte...

NomOrigine Team
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 :

Share the origin of your last name with your friends

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Messenger Telegram

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names

#1 Natada

Last name • surnames > natada

The last name "Natada" has its origin in India, specifically in the region of Maharashtra. It is derived from the Marathi word "nat," which means "dancer" or "actor," and is used a...

#2 Nataf

Last name • surnames > nataf

The surname Nataf is of French origin and is derived from the Hebrew given name Nathan, meaning "gift of God." It is likely that the surname Nataf was originally a Jewish surname, ...

#3 Natafji

Last name • surnames > natafji

The last name Natafji does not have a widely known or documented origin. It is possible that it could be of Arabic or Hebrew origin, but without further information or context, it ...

#4 Natak

Last name • surnames > natak

Please wait, data loading. It may take 1 minute or 2...

#5 Natal

Last name • surnames > natal

The last name "Natal" has multiple possible origins. One origin is from Italy, particularly the region of Calabria. In Italian, "Natal" means "birth," so it could have been a surna...

#6 Natale

Last name • surnames > natale

The last name "Natale" is of Italian origin. It is derived from the Latin word "natalis," meaning "birth" or "Christmas." The name likely originated as a nickname, referring to som...

#7 Natali

Last name • surnames > natali

The surname Natali is of Italian origin and is derived from the given name "Natale," which means "Christmas" in Italian. It is likely that the surname was originally given to indiv...

#8 Natalini

Last name • surnames > natalini

The surname Natalini is of Italian origin. It derives from a diminutive form of the given name Natale, which means "Christmas Day" in Italian. People with this surname would have l...

#9 Natamba

Last name • surnames > natamba

The surname "Natamba" originates from Uganda in East Africa. It is derived from the Luganda language and is often used among the Baganda ethnic group in Uganda. The name is believe...

#10 Natan dematera

Last name • surnames > natan-dematera

The surname "Dematera" is of Italian origin. It is believed to be derived from the place name "Matera" in the Basilicata region of southern Italy.

#11 Nataño

Last name • surnames > natano

The last name Natano is of Samoan origin. It is a common surname in Samoa and is often used by families with Samoan heritage. The name may have derived from a specific ancestor or ...

#12 Natar

Last name • surnames > natar

The last name "Natar" is believed to have originated from India, specifically from the Tamil Nadu region. It is a Tamil surname that is likely derived from the word "Nadar," which ...

#13 Nataraj

Last name • surnames > nataraj

The last name "Nataraj" is of Indian origin. It is derived from the Sanskrit word "Nataraja," which means "king of dance" and refers to the Hindu god Shiva in his form as the lord ...

#14 Nataraja

Last name • surnames > nataraja

The last name Nataraja originates from the Sanskrit word "Nata" meaning "dancer" and "Raja" meaning "king" or "lord." In Hindu mythology, Nataraja is a form of Lord Shiva as the co...

#15 Natarajan

Last name • surnames > natarajan

The last name "Natarajan" is of South Indian origin, specifically Tamil Nadu. It is derived from the Tamil word "Natarajan," which means "King of Dance." This surname is commonly f...