653+ Sephardic Last Names: Unraveling Their Fascinating Origins

Sephardic last names tell a special story. These names come from Sephardic Jews who lived in Spain and were forced to leave during the Spanish Inquisition.

As they moved to different places, their last names carried bits of Hebrew, Arabic, and Spanish, creating a unique mix. These names are like puzzle pieces, each one holding a piece of the Sephardic Jewish history.

They show how families stuck together through tough times, and even today, these names connect people to their ancestors and the cool story of Sephardic heritage.

Top Sephardic Last Names

Some prominent Sephardic last names include Abulafia, Toledano, and Benaim. These names reflect the rich heritage of the Sephardic Jewish community, tracing their origins to Spain and Portugal. Each surname carries a unique historical significance, embodying the resilience and cultural diversity of the Sephardic people through generations.

Sephardic Last Names and Meanings

Sephardic last names carry rich historical significance. Many originated from Spain before the 1492 expulsion, reflecting the Sephardic Jewish diaspora. Common examples include Cohen (priest), Levi (descendant of Levi), and Toledano (from Toledo). Each name echoes a unique heritage, connecting modern descendants to their enduring cultural roots.

Last Name	Meaning
Cohen	Priest
Levy	Descendant of Levi
Toledano	From Toledo
Benveniste	Son of Venetian
Abulafia	Father of Gazing
Alcalay	From the Citadel
Franco	From France
Baruch	Blessed
Amar	The Moon
Navarro	From Navarre
Azoulay	Devoted
Harari	Mountain dweller
Maimon	Faithful
Shalom	Peace
Sarfati	French
Lopes	Wolf
Rodrigues	Son of Rodrigo
Pinto	Painter
Carvajal	Oak grove
Halevi	Descendant of Levi

Sephardic Jewish Surnames

Sephardic Jewish surnames reflect the rich history of the Sephardim, descendants of Jews expelled from the Iberian Peninsula in the 15th century. These names often bear linguistic and cultural traces from Spain and Portugal, showcasing the enduring heritage of a community that dispersed and settled across the globe.

Unique Sephardic Last Names

Sephardic last names, originating from the Jewish communities of the Iberian Peninsula, exude a rich tapestry of cultural history. Names like Abulafia, Toledano, and Benveniste reflect Sephardic heritage, mirroring a diverse blend of Spanish, Portuguese, and Hebrew influences. Each name carries a unique narrative, echoing centuries of migration and resilience.

Sephardic Portuguese Surnames

Sephardic Portuguese surnames bear witness to the rich history of Jews in Portugal. Reflecting their Iberian heritage, these names often intertwine with local culture. Examples like Abecassis and Pimentel tell stories of Sephardic Jews who, despite historical challenges, contributed to the diverse tapestry of Portuguese society.

Popular Sephardic Last Names

Popular Sephardic last names reflect the rich history of the Sephardic Jewish community. Surnames like Cohen, Levy, and Abulafia often trace their roots to Spain and Portugal. These names signify lineage, occupations, or geographic origins, preserving the cultural and historical tapestry of Sephardic Jews across generations.

Most Common Sephardic Last Names

The most common Sephardic last names reflect the rich history of the Jewish diaspora. Surnames like Cohen, Levy, and Abitbol often trace their roots to Sephardic communities. These names carry cultural significance, embodying a connection to diverse Sephardic traditions that span centuries and regions, from Spain and Portugal to the Middle East.

Famous Sephardic Last Names

Sephardic Jews, with roots in the Iberian Peninsula, possess distinctive last names reflecting their rich heritage. Notable among them are names like Abulafia, Toledano, and Benveniste, each carrying a historical resonance. These surnames encapsulate the enduring legacy of Sephardic Jewish communities and their contributions to diverse cultures worldwide.

Last Name	Origin/Significance
Abulafia	Traces back to a prominent medieval Jewish family
Toledano	Indicates roots in the city of Toledo in Spain
Benveniste	Reflects a connection to the city of Benvenuto in Italy
Navarro	Derived from the Spanish region of Navarre
Maimon	Linked to the renowned philosopher Maimonides
Cordovero	Associated with the Spanish town of Cordova
Carvajal	Indicates connections to the Carvajal family
Baruch	Meaning “blessed” in Hebrew
Abravanel	Tied to the prominent Abravanel family
Albo	Reflects origins in the Spanish town of Alba
Cardozo	Linked to the Cardoso family
Franco	Represents a connection to the Franco family
Medina	Suggests ties to the city of Medina in Saudi Arabia
Pinto	Common among Sephardic Jews in Portugal
Nunes	Derived from the Latin word “nonus” meaning ninth
Bejarano	Indicates ties to the Spanish town of Bejar
Halevi	A name associated with the Levites in Jewish tradition
Belmonte	Associated with the Portuguese town of Belmonte
Sarfati	Indicates ties to the Italian town of Sarfat
Lopes	Common among Sephardic Jews in Portugal
Teixeira	Reflects Portuguese origins
Azulai	Associated with the Azulai family
Rodrigues	A common Sephardic surname
Halevy	Variation of the Halevi surname
Barzilai	Linked to the Barzilai family
Molcho	Associated with the Molcho family
Touro	Connected to the Touro family
Recanati	Reflects origins in the Italian town of Recanati
Levy	Common among Sephardic Jews
Ramban	Acronym for Rabbi Moses ben Nahman
Amar	Meaning “to say” in Hebrew
Shalom	Meaning “peace” in Hebrew
Angel	Common among Sephardic Jews
Kohen	Indicates priestly lineage
Malchi	Associated with the Malchi family
Ibn Ezra	Associated with the medieval Jewish scholar Ibn Ezra
Haim	Meaning “life” in Hebrew
Derhy	Associated with the Derhy family
Serero	Common among Sephardic Jews
Hacohen	Indicates priestly lineage
Peres	Common among Sephardic Jews
Amarillo	Meaning “yellow” in Spanish
Abarbanel	Associated with the Abarbanel family
Menashe	Associated with the tribe of Menashe in Jewish tradition
Belmonte	Reflects Portuguese origins
Benabou	Common among Sephardic Jews
Haddad	Indicates a blacksmith or metalworker
Seruya	Associated with the Seruya family
Levy	Common among Sephardic Jews
Di Santo	Italian-derived, meaning “of the saints”
Almosnino	Associated with the Almosnino family
Caspi	Associated with the Caspi family
Gabbai	Indicates a synagogue official

Cool Sephardic last names

The history of making out of Sephardic from Spain started after 1942. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella ruled in 1940 and, after 1942, started to expel all the Jews from Spain; soon after, a similar law expelled Jews from Portugal.

In the 21st century, people in both Europe and the Americas are still discovering and reclaiming their Jewish ancestry.

Gaster – plural form of stomach issue

Hassan – handsome

Toledano – habitational name for someone from Toledo

Shriki – name of a lake

Assayag – goldsmith 

Gabay – lateness

Mena – name of a girl

Sarfati – French birth significant

Galante – suitor

Veneziano – people of venice

Marciano 

Gabai 

Margalit 

Verga

Torres

Todros

Benveniste

Henriques

Charnier

Pinto

Huerta

Cardoso

Shitrit

Andrade

Sá

Pincherle

Neri

Cárdenas

Solomon

Astruc

Benayoun

Bensaïd

Bernal

Schaal

Pérez

Mendes

Pallache

Azoulay

Curiel

Salomon

Saraiva

Alhadeff

Arruda

Abravanel

Benady

Abulafia

Cardozo

Pardo

Sandoval

Mariano

Benasayag

Amaral

Mortara

Marcus

López de Lacalle

Moreno

Senigaglia

Navarro

Modiano

Parra

Abecassis

Bensoussan

Abreu

De Castro

Pereira

Abergel

Touro

Peres

Bassano

Nieto

Cayetano

Fun fact: Abreu- A name of a ghost in the Annabelle movie which people think of as hunted.

Catchy Sephardic last names

The most typical traditional language of Sephardim is Judeo-Spanish, also called Ladino. It is a romance language derived from old Castilian concerning French, Turkish, Greek, Arabic, etc.

It was spoken by Sephardic people and is known as the official language of their communication. Other languages associated with Sephardic Jews are mostly extinct, e. g. Corfiot Italian, formerly spoken by some Sephardic communities in Italy.

Ashkenazi – fictional name of k drama 

Ash – body in asses after death

Frieling – freed man

Bachar – one who is full of joy

Gaer – wall full of difficulty

Galin – person of mad or crazy

Frum – people called for French 

Futterman

Frieder

Axelrod

Babel

Babicz

Freund

Balkin

Bakst

Freidman

Frenkel

Fruchter

Babe

Friedler

Banker

Bacharach

Barad

Fridman

Galkin

Freifeld

Aronstein

Friedman

Banet

Fromm

Bachrach

Gabay

Babicz

Attias

Barach

Furer

Banda

Galinsky

Balter

Frisch

Balser

Avner

Averbach

Fried

Frischman

Babin

Frischmann

Freud

Bachmann

Bable

Fulop

Friedenberg

Ballin

Gabbay

Balin

Frid

Ascher

Babin

Axelrad

Friedmann

Frishman

Axler

Furst

Gal

Friedhoff

Attia

Fruhling

Gabel

Asher

Freudenberg

Frumkin

Freudenberger

Bakal

Bacher

Frieden

Gaber

Fruchtman

Asch

Atlas

Galinski

Baer

Frieman

Balsam

Freiman

From

Badgett

Bach

Avram

Fromer

Baer

Bachman

Frischkorn

Furth

Freyman

Futter

Fund

Aronson

Assaf

Fuks

Bakal

Fun fact: Baer- the word is similar to bear animal as both words pronounce the similar way.

Best Sephardic last names

The best thing about Sephardic people is wherever they travel, they have something to remember about that place. They brought unique ritual customs, art, architecture, and language.

They dominate their identity and maintain their dignity of the image among people. Some best last names for Sephardic are given below.

Entin – old French noble people

Elson – baby name given to old town 

Dropkin – aka little white boy

Flaster – band aid 

Fleckenstein – Germany people who rich wealth

Druckman – drunken people 

Druker – a laser printer

Drach – dragon or kite

Dubner – habitational name for someone from either of two places called Düben in Saxony and Thuringia.

Fishman – Person who catches fish 

Ehrenfeld

Ellenbogen

Edelson

Dub

Eckstein

Eckerman

Elkin

Elkind

Fixler

Fliss

Ellner

Flint

Edelman

Eppel

Duchin

Drell

Dubinski

Ducker

Elfman

Fishkin

Dreyfuss

Dreyer

Engelsman

Elgart

Engelberg

Egert

Engelmann

Elfenbein

Eller

Drapkin

Engel

Ellenberg

Engelman

Dunay

Fishbein

Flam

Edel

Entler

Edel

Edelstein

Flohr

Ellin

Engelson

Drachman

Drabkin

Edelmann

Englander

Epshteyn

Drucker

Ehrenberg

Eckhaus

Emer

Fisher

Dubin

Druck

Efron

Fischel

Emison

Flaum

Ehmann

Flash

Eli

Fishler

Fliegelman

Elman

Dunaj

Fishel

Dubrow

Elkin

Dreyfus

Fun fact: Eli- name of the famous footballer in brazil and name of a famous Hollywood actress too. 

Amazing Sephardic last names

The university library catalog will lead students to interesting books such as The Mezuzah in Madonna’s Foot by Trudy Alexy, which provides a great deal of information about the Sephardim.

Alexy’s work links the history of the Sephardim with twentieth-century Spain and provides information about the remote Jewish communities of Spanish New Mexico. Below are a few amazing Sephardic last names.

Gitter – mesh things around

Goldbaum – artificial name of gold called in German

Harnick – mean special 

Handelsman – name given in Norton England people

Edelmann – mean nobleman

Handleman – people who handle things perfectly

Glickman – wise man

Gitlitz – error occurred in a work

Gittler – things of bright colour

Engelsman – businessman of goods

Gittleson 

Efron

Harkavy

Edelson

Flaum

Elkin

Ehrenfeld

Goffman

Hanan

Eckhaus

Fixler

Engelsman

Efron

Eller

Flohr

Gittleman

Flint

Flam

Emison

Glassberg

Gingold

Gerstein

Elkin

Ehrenberg

Gips

Engelmann

Drabkin

Gitlin

Harshbarger

Gideon

Hankin

Dubinski

Gluckman

Engel

Glaser

Fishler

Eckstein

Glass

Ginsberg

Dubner

Gerstenkorn

Flaum

Glick

Gimpel

Ellin

Elfenbein

Flash

Dub

Glickstein

Gewirtz

Edel

Englander

Godel

Dreyfus

Drucker

Engelmann

Gettinger

Dunaj

Elfman

Engelson

Fliss

Harman

Elgart

Getman

Gleicher

Elkin

Elfman

Edelman

Gerstenfeld

Fishel

Gilinsky

Flohr

Elkind

Gold

Hanson

Gitelman

Eppel

Eckerman

Eli

Emer

Flaster

Engelberg

Entin

Flaster

Ellin

Eller

Harel

Gindi

Fun fact: Gold- is ornament wear by women and men both but still it is called as worship of women more.

Awesome Sephardic last names

During the medieval period, many Ashkenazi Jews from historic “Ashkenaz” had moved to study Kabbalah and Torah under the guidance of Sephardic Jewish Rabbis in Iberia.

These Ashkenazi Jews who assimilated into the Sephardic society eventually gained the surnames “Ashkenazi” if they came from Germany and “Zarfati” if they came from France. Below are some awesome Sephardic last names.

Dreyer – common German surname originating from Grübe in Holstein Germany

Gill – people originated from mountain region

Druck – mean starker

Dubner – someone from Ukraine

Elgart – olive garden in German

Drach – dragon and kite 

Fliegelman – name in northern America

Flam – basic pattern in math

Gluck – To flow or cause to flow in a noisy series of spurts

Entler – occupation name for white wine

Elkin

Harari

Glauber

Hankes

Gilberg

Drucker

Eckstein

Gladstone

Fleckenstein

Fisher

Dreyfuss

Harary

Gersten

Engelberg

Ginsburg

Golan

Fixler

Handelman

Dubin

Gertz

Edel

Handel

Dunay

Edelson

Drach

Ellenberg

Golberg

Dreyfuss

Golda

Gildner

Gershowitz

Ehmann

Goldbach

Fishbein

Englander

Gilbert

Fliss

Eppel

Emison

Dubrow

Fishkin

Ellenbogen

Engelson

Dubrow

Ehrenberg

Glotzer

Edelstein

Gogol

Elson

Drachman

Ginzburg

Hanis

Elfenbein

Hantman

Harris

Ellner

Glas

Ellenberg

Engel

Elson

Goldberg

Drabki

Egert

Emer

Duchin

Drell

Dreyer

Dunaj

Edelstein

Glen

Gimbel

Conclusion

Sephardic last names tell a story of resilience and heritage. From being expelled in 1492 to today’s diaspora, these names hold the history of the Sephardic Jewish community. They are more than just labels; they are a connection to a rich past that continues to shape their identity across generations.

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