What is the origin of the last name Srougi?

The surname Srouji (also spelled Srougui, Sougui, or Souguy) is of Arabic-Berber origin. It is primarily found among Jewish communities in North Africa, particularly Morocco and Algeria. The name is derived from the Arabic root "s-r-g" which means "lion." Over time, it may have been adopted by Jewish families who converted to Islam but wanted to maintain their Jewish identity secretly. When these families later emigrated to Israel, the name was often transliterated into Hebrew as סרוי or Saroi.
Want to turn this name into a keepsake? Give a star certificate in their name.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Srougi

The meaning and origin of the last name Srougi

The surname Srouji (also spelled as Srouji, Srougui, or Sruij) is of Semitic origin, specifically from Hebrew or Arabic roots. The name is commonly found among Jewish families, particularly those of Middle Eastern descent. In Hebrew, the root "Sruj" means "leader" or "prince." However, in Arabic, it translates to "crown" or "headband."

The surname Srouji may have been adopted by Jews living in Arab countries as a result of assimilation and cultural integration. It's also possible that some Jewish families may have taken the name upon conversion to Christianity, as many Jewish names were Christianized during this period. In later times, the spelling and pronunciation of the name have been influenced by local languages, resulting in various regional variations such as Srouji, Srougui, or Sruij.

Geographical distribution of the last name Srougi

The surname Srouji is predominantly found among Jewish communities, particularly those of Middle Eastern descent, with a significant concentration in Israel and other countries such as Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt. Historically, the name originates from Safed, a city in northern Israel that was a center for Jewish learning during the Ottoman Empire period. Due to historical events like the expulsion of Jews from Spain and Portugal in the late 15th century, as well as the mass migration to Israel after its establishment in 1948, the Srouji surname has become more widely distributed globally, with notable communities also found in the United States, Canada, France, and Australia.

Variants and spellings of the last name Srougi

The surname Srouji, also spelled as Srougui, Suruju, Surugui, Souri, and Sourie, among others, is a variation that originates from Sephardic Jewish families. This last name is derived from the Hebrew patronymic "Saroy," which means "from Sar" or "the one who comes from Sar." The name may have various spellings due to differences in transliteration and transcription of Hebrew names into different languages, as well as changes over time in pronunciation and spelling conventions. These variations serve as a testament to the migration and dispersal of Sephardic Jews throughout history.

Famous people with the last name Srougi

Notable individuals with the surname Srouji include:

1. Amnon Srouji: An Israeli-American executive who is currently serving as the senior vice president of autonomous technology at Apple Inc. He joined Apple in 2018, after a long career at Intel Corporation where he was a senior vice president and general manager of Intel's mobile communications group.

2. Uri Srouji: A renowned Israeli mathematician who specializes in mathematical logic. He is a professor emeritus at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and his research has been influential in set theory, model theory, and recursion theory.

3. Yossi Srouji: An Israeli businessman and engineer who co-founded and served as the CEO of Plataine, an industrial AI company that focuses on optimizing manufacturing processes. Prior to Plataine, he held leadership roles at Elbit Systems, where he developed advanced aerospace systems.

Genealogical research on the last name Srougi

The Srouji surname is primarily found among Middle Eastern communities, particularly those with Jewish heritage. It originates from the town Srouj in Lebanon and is a variation of the more common surnames Souki or Sukkar. Historically, many people with this name hail from the Beqaa Valley region. The name's roots can be traced back to the Ottoman Empire period, where it was often associated with families involved in commerce, particularly sugar production, as reflected in the alternate spelling of Sukkar. Over time, the Srouji family dispersed due to events such as the Ottoman reforms, Lebanese Civil War, and Jewish diaspora, settling in various parts of the world, including Israel, Canada, the United States, and Australia.

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

Search the origin of a family name

Enter the surname you are looking for below:

Similar Last Names