North African Last Names: Tracing Origins and Meanings

Nov 19, 2025 0

Those whose family roots are in North Africa and are searching for the origin and meaning of their surnames are very lucky because major works have been published on this topic. North African names include those from Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, and Western Sahara. In many African societies, surnames are deeply meaningful and often reflect geography, clan lineage, societal roles, or notable historical events. African last names are living pieces of history, carrying the echoes of empires, oral traditions, tribal affiliations, geographical roots, and even ancient professions.

Moroccan last names are a true reflection of the country’s culture, heritage, history, and evolving identity. They represent the diverse heritage of Morocco inspired and influenced by Arabic, Berber, Jewish, and European cultures. These Moroccan family names tell a story of the great ancestors who dared to explore. Many Moroccan names are patronymic surnames, and also a mix of habitational surnames indicating the descent of an individual.

It is essential to understand that the absence of an African surname does not mean there is no African heritage to explore. In recent years, genetic genealogy has become a powerful tool for African Americans hoping to bridge the gap created by centuries of displacement and erasure. DNA testing for ancestry can reveal ethnic composition and provide estimates of ancestral regions in Africa. By combining DNA testing for ancestry with expert research services, it’s possible to construct a broader picture of one’s heritage. It’s important to manage expectations-genetic results are probabilistic, not definitive.

Let us explore this beautiful North African country’s vast cavern of knowledge and wisdom.

Map of North Africa

Key Pointers of Moroccan Last Names

Many Moroccan surnames have roots in Arabic, Maghrebi, and Berber.
Names that begin with the prefix ‘Ben’ are patronymic surnames.
Judeo-Spanish surnames make up a small percentage of last names in Morocco.
Moroccan surnames can help identify a person’s place of origin or tribe.
These last names help form the basic mosaic of Moroccan culture and history.
From Abergel to Touzani, these surnames are a story of lineage, resilience, and familial pride.

Major Studies on North African Jewish Surnames

The first such research was conducted by Ismael Hamet who published in 1928 a booklet entitled : Les Juifs du Nord de l'Afrique: noms et surnoms (Jews of North Africa: names and surnames). Since then 5 major studies have been published. Two books by Maurice Eisenbeth (Algiers, 1938) and Joseph Toledano (Jerusalem, 1999) cover the 3 countries of North Africa: Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia. A study by Jacques Taieb (Paris, 2004) covers these North African countries and Libya. A comprehensive research on the names of Jews of Morocco was published by Laredo in Madrid in 1978. The book of Abraham Laredo is the most detailed study because of its extensive introduction- an onomastic analysis- and because he added biographies of notables who carried the names and sources documents. In many cases Laredo even points to a source document found in pre-Expulsion Spanish archives.

Onomastics is not an exact science, so sometimes some authors agree on the origin of a name while others disagree and have different suggestions. We had the idea to compile a cumulative index of these 5 books in order to make easier the search for a single name. The by-product of this index is the exhaustive list of the North African Jewish surnames. The result of a search for a single name will show that sometimes the authors all agree and when they do not.

Note: While all the other four books are alphabetically arranged according to the Latin alphabet, Laredo's book is classified according to the Hebrew spellings of the names and each name has a current number. With no book index, it is difficult to find a name in Laredo's book.

Common Moroccan Last Names

Moroccan surnames can help identify a person’s place of origin or tribe. These last names help form the basic mosaic of Moroccan culture and history. From Abergel to Touzani, these surnames are a story of lineage, resilience, and familial pride.

Abergel: A Judeo-Spanish surname that finds its roots in Moroccan Arabic, Abergel carries a distinctive meaning of ‘one-legged’ or ‘one-footed.’ It can also be spelled as Abergele, Abargil, Abergil, Abourgil, and Abourgal.
Abourouphael: An Arabic surname that is common in the regions of Morocco, Lebanon, Algeria, and Tunisia, Abourouphael means ‘father of rouphael.’
Adlani: Adlani is a predominantly Moroccan surname and it comes from the given name Adlène. In Arabic, the name means ‘to act justly’ or simply ‘justice’ or ‘fairness.’ Another spelling of Adlani is El Adlani.
Ait: A common surname found in the region of Morocco and coming from the deep woods of Estonia, Ait is an ornamental surname that means ‘granary’ or ‘outbuilding.’
Akebdani: Akebdani is a Moroccan-Rifian surname used as a locative surname for someone who comes from the town of Dar El Kebdani. It can also be spelled as Kebdani or Lkebdani.
Alaoui: A name with royal ties, Alaoui is a surname derived from the given Arabic name Ali. It can also be spelled as El Alaoui, Alawi, and Allaoui. It means ‘lofty’ or ‘sublime.’ As mentioned, it is a name borne by royals, Princess Lalla Joumala Alaoui is a Moroccan diplomat and ambassador of Morocco to the United States.
Amine: Amine is a Maghrebi-Arabic surname taken from the first name Amin. It is derived from an Arabic word that can be translated as ‘truthful.’ The sixth Abbasid caliph bore the name Amin.
Amrani: A Maghrebi last name that is quite popular in Morocco and Algeria, Amrani is taken from the given name Imran and means ‘exalted nation.’ Amrani can also be spelled as Imrani or Omrani. Israeli diplomat and Israeli ambassador to Greece, Yossi Amrani bears the surname.
Aziz: An Arabic and Urdu surname taken from the first name Aziz, it can also be spelled as Azeez or Eziz. It comes from an Arabic word that can be translated as ‘to be powerful’ or ‘to be cherished.’ Aziz is one of the many names of Allah. The surname is borne by the 17th Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shaukat Aziz.
Bel: A French surname that was used as a nickname for a handsome man, Bel can also be used ironically for someone who is not handsome. Matthias Bel was the founder of Hungarian geographic science and was also known as the ‘Great Ornament of Hungary.’
Ben: Ben is usually used as a prefix in names since it comes from the Arabic ‘bn’ or ‘ibn.’ The surname translates to ‘son of’ or ‘offspring,’ and is seen in Maghrebi names such as Benali or Ben Amor.
Benali: Benali is a patronymic surname that can be spelled as Ben Ali or Ben-Ali. It means ‘son of Ali,’ and is borne by Zine El Abidine Ben Ali or Ben Ali, the second president of Tunisia.
Benchekroun: The Benchekroun family name is a converted surname with Jewish roots. It is usually a name born by a family of scholars. Siham Benchekroun is a Moroccan novelist and poet who also works as a physician and psychotherapist. Her work focuses on the status of Moroccan women.
Benfarès: Benfarès is an Arab-Maghrebi patronymic surname that means ‘son of Farès.’ It is a popular Algerian and Moroccan surname that can also be spelled as Ben Fares or Benfares.
Benkirane: Predominantly a Moroccan surname taken from a nickname or an occupation. It comes from two Arabic elements, ‘bn’ and ‘kīrān,’ when combined meaning ‘son of forging.’ It is possibly a surname given to a blacksmith or a metalworker. Abdelilah Benkirane was the Prime Minister of Morocco from 2011 to 2017.
Ben Larbi: An Arabic-Maghrebi patronymic surname that is commonly found in Tunisia and Morocco, Ben Larbi can also be spelled as Benlarbi. It means ‘son of Larbi.’ Mohamed Firas Ben Larbi, a Tunisian footballer plays for his country at the senior international level.
Bennani: With roots in Hebrew, Bennani may be a Maghrebi-Arabic surname and it means ‘my son.’ It is the surname of a Jewish family that converted to Islam. A surname borne by the first female politician of Morocco, Zineb Benani.
Bennis: A Dutch patronymic surname that comes from the personal name Benne or Bernhard, Bennis means ‘Benne’s son’ and was also used as a name for someone who was a member of the Baptist religious sect in the Netherlands. Mohammed Bennis, a bearer of the surname, is one of the pioneers of modern Arabic poetry.
Berrada: Although the meaning is unclear, Berrada is a popular Moroccan surname. It is a name borne by Mohammed Berrada, one of Morocco’s most prominent authors in the contemporary world.
Chakir: Chakir is derived from the given name Shakir and means ‘thankful’ in Arabic. The name is borne by Moroccan judoka, Aziza Chakir, a bronze medalist at the African Games and a four-time medalist at the African Judo Championships.
Chaoui: Surnames may travel from one place to another as in this case. Chaoui is the name of a Berber ethnic group in Algeria. Since Algeria and Morocco share a border, it may be possible that this name seeped its way into Moroccan culture and became a popular last name.
Chraibi: Although the exact origin and meaning of Chraibi is unknown, it is borne by Rochdi Chraibi, a senior member of the royal cabinet of King Mohammed VI of Morocco.
Daoudi: One of the common surnames in the Middle East and Northern parts of Africa, Daoudi is probably a surname that comes from the Biblical King David since he is known as Dawud or Daoud in Arabic countries. It can be assumed that Daoudi means ‘descended from Daoud.’
Drissi: Drissi is a surname with enigmatic roots and connotations. It is borne by Tomy Drissi, an American professional stock and sports car racing driver. He was named the Sports Car Club of America’s Trans-Am Series Champion in 2009.
El Alaoui: Taken from a given name, El Alaoui is a Maghrebi-Arabic surname. In Arabic, the name translates to ‘the Alaoui.’ It is borne by the senior royal official or the Chamberlain of King Mohammed VI of Morocco.
El Amrani: El Amrani is a predominant Moroccan surname derived from the given name Imran. It can also be spelled as El-Amrani or Elamrani and it means ‘the Amrani.’ Moroccan tennis player, Reda El Amrani is one notable bearer of the surname. He was ranked world no. 160 in 2010.
El Hassan: A North African surname that is common among Sudanese families, El Hassan can be spelled as El-Hassan or Elhassan. It comes from the Arabic word ‘hasuna,’ which can be translated as ‘to be good’ or ‘to be beautiful.’ It is a name borne by the regal Princess Sarvath El Hassan, the wife of Prince Hassan bin Talal of Jordan.
El Idrissi: Also spelled as Elidrissi or Idrissi, El Idrissi is a Maghrebi-Arabic surname. It is a common surname in Morocco and it means ‘the Idrissi.’ Swiss-Moroccan athlete, Cédric El-Idrissi is a former 400m hurdles runner. He was a part of the Swiss team that set a new national record in the 4×400m relay at the 2004 World Indoor Championships.
Filali: A distinct Moroccan surname with Arabic roots, Filali is connected to the region of Tafilalt in Morocco. It can be assumed that Filali is used as a locative surname. The surname is borne by the first Tunisian minister of agriculture. Mustapha Filali, after their independence.
Hajji: Hajji is used as an Arabic surname and a title for someone who completed the Hajj to Mecca. It can be transliterated as Haji, Hadji, or Hacı. Hajji was a last name shared by the minister of defense of Kenya, Mohamed Yusuf Haji.
Hamdaoui: The name is also found as El Hamdaoui and is considered to be a Maghrebi surname. It translates to ‘relating to Hamid’ or ‘relating to Hamad.’ The last name is popular in the world of sports. A few notable bearers are professional footballers Mounir El Hamdaoui, Mo Hamdaoui, and Khalid Hamdaoui, to name a few.
Hanae: The Moroccan respelling of the Arabic given name Hana or Hanaa. It means ‘bliss’ or ‘happiness’ in Arabic.
Hassan: A common surname found in Persian, Urdu, and Arabic families. It is derived from the given name Hassan, which means ‘improver’ or ‘beautifier.’ It is the name of the crown prince of Morocco, Moulay Hassan Ali bin Mohammed.
Hassani: Taken from the given name Hassan, it can also be spelled as Hasani. This surname can be found in Swahili, Arabic, and Persian communities. In Arabic, the surname means ‘beautifier’ or ‘improver.’ Samya Hassani is a Moroccan professional football player who represented her country’s national team.
Idrissi: A common Moroccan surname, Idrissi is taken from the first name Idriss. It can be spelled as Idrisi or El Idrissi, and it means ‘interpreter.’ Mariah Idrissi made a name for herself in the fashion industry for being one of the first Muslim hijab-wearing models. She became the face of ‘modest fashion.’
Jalal: The surname is found in Arabic, Urdu, and Bengali families. Jalal is taken from the given name with the same spelling and it means ‘greatness.’ Farida Jalal is one of the renowned actresses with the surname who won numerous awards for her long career in the Indian entertainment industry.
Jaouhari: Jaouhari is a common Moroccan surname that can be spelled as Jawhari or El Jaouhari. It is derived from the Arabic word ‘jawhar,’ which means ‘essence,’ ‘gem,’ or ‘jewel.’
Kamal: With roots in a given name, Kamal means ‘perfection’ and is common in Bengali, Urdu, and Arabic. Mustafa Kamal BS was a Bangladeshi freedom fighter who was awarded the Bir Sreshtho posthumously.
Karim: An Arabic surname taken from the given name Karim and it means ‘to be generous’ or ‘noble.’ In Islam, this is one of the 99 names of Allah. One of the co-founders of YouTube shares the surname, Jawed Karim, who is also the first person to upload a video on the site.
Kissami: Kissami is a notable Moroccan surname that comes from the Idrisid dynasty. It can also be written as Kasmi, Kasimi, and Kassimi and means ‘descendants of Qasim.’
Laayouni: Predominantly a Moroccan surname, Laayouni is used as a locative surname for someone who comes from the city of Laayoune. Zoubida Laayouni, a Moroccan athlete who won over eight medals in the African Championships in Athletics shares the surname.
Lahlou: A renowned and popular Moroccan family name and considered to be the first elite of Morocco. The exact meaning of the name is unknown but it carries Arabic roots. Benyounés Lahlou is one of the notable figures with the surname. He is a Moroccan runner who placed 7th in the 4 x 400 m relay at the World Championships in 1991.
Malki: Commonly used as a reference for someone related to the name Malek. It is a Muslim-Maghrebi surname and David Malki is one known bearer. He is famous for his webcomic Wondermark. The comic has been nominated and won several awards over the years.
Mansouri: If you are particularly looking for Muslim last names or surnames, then we have one for you here. Mansouri is a Muslim surname common in Iraq and Maghreb. It is a name given to someone related to Mansour. Mansouri may be a patronymic surname. The name is borne by the royal dignitary, Mohamed Yassine Mansouri, who previously served as the director of Morocco’s external intelligence agency, the General Directorate for Studies and Documentation (DGED) under King Mohammed VI.
Marrakchi: Found as a locative surname predominantly in Morocco, Marrakchi is given to someone from the city of Marrakesh. Laila Marrakchi, a Moroccan filmmaker known for her controversial film, Marock, bears the surname.
Mohamed: Taken from the given name Muhammad, it means ‘praised’ or ‘commendable.’ Amina Chawahir Mohamed Jibril is the immediate former cabinet secretary for sports, heritage, and culture in Kenya.
Moujahid: Commonly used as a reference to the member of a liberation army in Muslim countries, predominantly Moroccan. Moujahid means ‘one who is laboring’ or ‘one who is in distress.’ Danish singer and songwriter, Anis Basim Moujahid shares the surname.
Naciri: Naciri is an extremely popular surname in Morocco. It is taken from the given name Nacir or Nasir. It can also be spelled as Nasiri, Naceri, or Nassir. Mohammad Naciri is a prominent Moroccan man. He is the chief of staff for UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women.
Naji: Found as an Arabic and a Persian last name, Naji is taken from the first name Naaji. It means ‘saved’ and was borne by Kamal Naji, a Palestinian politician. He was the deputy representative of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) in Lebanon.
Rachidi: A common surname in Muslim households. Rachidi is given to someone who is a descendant of or someone who is related to Rashid. The exact meaning of the surname is uncertain. Moroccan journalist and director of Al Jazeera in Morocco, Hassan Rachidi shares the name.
Regragui: One of the most common surnames in Morocco is Regragui. Although the meaning and origin of Regragui are uncertain, it is also found as Regrague or Rakraki. Moroccan theatre, TV, and film actress, Nezha Regragui, holds the name.
Saber: A common Arabic and Persian surname, Saber is a spelling variant of the given name Sabir. It means ‘enduring,’ ‘patient,’ and ‘steadfast.’
Said: Also spelled as Sa’id and Saeed, Said can be found in Urdu, Somali, and Arabic communities. It is taken from the given name Sa’id and means ‘happy’ or ‘lucky.’ A name borne by a man in power, Abdelmadjid Sidi Said has been the president of ...

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Berber Surnames

Many Moroccan surnames have roots in Arabic, Maghrebi, and Berber. Here are some examples of Berber surnames:

Read also: Comparing Africa and North America

Abeqquy: BerberMoroccan (Rifian): tribal name from the tribe of Ibeqquyen from the province of Řḥusima.
Adaagist: BerberMoroccan (Rifian): habitational name from the town of Daagist in the province of Řḥusima.
Adriwec: BerberMoroccan (Rifian): habitational name from the city and province of Driwec.
Agzenay: BerberMoroccan (Rifian): tribal name from the tribe of Igzenayen from the province of Daza.
Aït: Berber, Northern AfricanDerived from Tamazight ⴰⵢⵜ (aït) meaning "son", also commonly used a component for compound names and surnames.
Ait Bekka: BerberBerber surname derived from ait meaning "son" and Bekka, possibly a Berber given name.
Akebdani: BerberMoroccan (Rifian): habitational name from the town of Dar Lkebdani.
Atargist: BerberMoroccan (Senhaja Srayr): habitational name from the town of Targist in the province of Lḥusima.
Awaayaɣeř: BerberMoroccan (Rifian): tribal name from the tribe of Ayt Waayaɣeř from the province of Řḥusima.
Bouhouche: Berber, Northern AfricanKabyle name possibly derived from Arabic أَبُو (ʾabū) meaning "father" and حَوْش (ḥawš) meaning "courtyard, enclosure, farm" (chiefly Algerian).
Boujettif: Northern African (Archaic)Meaning, "The family of the son of the Clever Head" or "One Whom Possess a Clever Head." Bou (normally used in the North African Regions of the Maghrib Countries) has 2 possible derivative meanings both originating from the Arabic language, "Son of..." or an Arabic word Tho meaning, "One Who Possess A Quality." Jettif is a variance of Jettef, Jeif or Ji'f which is derived from the ancient Tamazight or Imazighen (popularly known as Berber) and is pronounced "j-ixf" which means Clever, head, or brain."
Boulahrouz: Arabic (Maghrebi), BerberMeans "father of Lahrouz", possibly an Arabic given name of unknown meaning. It is chiefly used in Algeria and Morocco. The retired Dutch soccer player Khalid Boulahrouz (1981-) is a famous bearer of this name.
Grigahcine: Berber (Rare, ?)Meaning unknown, perhaps of Kabyle origin. A known bearer is DJ Snake, who was born William Grigahcine (1986-), an Algerian-French musician.
Guanche: Spanish (Canarian), Berber, GuancheDerived from the name of the original inhabitants of the Canary Islands before the Spanish conquest. The Guanche people were a Berber-speaking people who arrived in the Canary Islands in the 5th century AD.
Jlassi: Arabic (Maghrebi), BerberFrom the name of an Tamazight (Berber) tribal confederation in Tunisia; the name could be from Arabic إِخْلَاص (ʾiḵlāṣ) meaning "sincerity, devotion, loyalty" or of unknown Berber meaning.
Mazigh: Arabic (Maghrebi), BerberDerived from Arabic أَمَازِيغ (ʾamāzīḡ) the Arabic designation for the Berber (Amazigh) people of North Africa. The word itself is ultimately of Tamazight origin, from Central Atlas Tamazight ⴰⵎⴰⵣⵉⵖ (Amaziɣ) of disputed meaning; in modern Central Atlas Tamazight, it means “free-man”.
Mkerref: Berber (Modern, Rare)Mkerref originated from the 1950s in Tangier, Morocco. The surname is rare and its holders have riffian (amazigh) roots, known as the Temsamanis originally.
Tamazight: Berber, Northern AfricanDerived from ⵜⴰⵎⴰⵣⵉⵗⵜ (Tamaziɣt), the Berber (Amazigh) name for the collective Berber language family used in North Africa.
Usɛid: BerberPatronymic from the personal name Saïd; the name is of Arabic origin. Also a habitational name from various places with Sɛid in the name.

Jewish Surnames

Sephardic Jewish surnames include:

Meghnagi: Jewish, Northern AfricanSephardic Jewish, originating from the Libyan Jewish community. Most were from Tripoli, with a much smaller contingent from Benghazi.

THE ORIGIN OF SEPHARDIC JEWS

References

Eisenbeth, Maurice. Les Juifs d'Afrique du Nord; démographie et onomastique. Alger, 1936.
Laredo, Abraham. Les noms des Juifs du Maroc; essai d'onomasique judéo-marocaine. Madrid, Institut Arias Montano, 1978.
Sebag, Paul. Les noms des Juifs de Tunisie; origines et significations. Paris, L'Harmattan, 2002.
Taieb, Jacques. Juifs du Maghreb; noms de famille et société. Paris, Cercle de Généalogie Juive, 2004.
Toledano, Joseph. Une histoire de familles; les noms de famille d'Afrique du Nord.