Surname Thafir - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'T'
Thafir: What does the surname Thafir mean?
The last name Thafir is derived from the Arabic word “Thafir”, meaning “clean”. This surname has been used by generations of families originating in the countries of the Middle East, including Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and parts of Saudi Arabia. It is also used by members of certain Muslim and Druze communities in Israel, Iraq and Turkey.
The Thafir family name is believed to have been given to ancestors who lived during the Islamic golden age, approximately from the 8th to the 13th centuries. It was thought that those who possessed this surname represented those who were clean in both their words and deeds, a virtue highly esteemed by their religion.
The Thafir surname is today considered to be a noble name in many countries of the Middle East, serving as a reminder of the strong moral and ethical code that was held by the families that originally used it.
It is also thought to bestow wealth and honor, as well as luck and success. Some say that those with the last name Thafir will be successful in the worldly life, and possibly ascend to paradise in the afterlife.
The traditional meaning of “clean” has since been expanded to include other positive attributes such as faithfulness, decency, humility and trustworthiness. Despite cultural shifts and changes in locations, these qualities remain part of the Thafir name.
Order DNA origin analysisThafir: Where does the name Thafir come from?
The last name Thafir is most commonly seen in the Middle East and North Africa, particularly in countries such as Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya. The name is also known to appear in other Arabic-speaking countries, including Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. It is derived from the Arabic root letters “th-f-r” which can be translated to “the one who is pious and observant.”
In popular culture, the last name Thafir can be seen in the acclaimed novel I Heard the Owl Call My Name by Margaret Craven, which follows the journey of Mark Brian, a young Anglican priest sent to live in a Native American village on the west coast of Canada.
The Thafir family also has an extensive history in Morocco, where some records have traced the name as far back as the 15th century. The family is an ancient Berber tribe, one of several other prominent tribes integral to Moroccan history. The Thafirs are known to have settled in the Aït Mezouarag region in the High Atlas Mountains.
The name Thafir is still a common surname found throughout the Middle East and North Africa. It has seen a worldwide rise in popularity in recent decades, particularly amongst Arabic-speaking diaspora communities who take pride in their heritage and culture.
Variations of the surname Thafir
Thafir is a surname that has several variants, spellings and other surnames of the same origin. The most common spelling of the surname is Thafir, however, other variants and spellings include Thafer, Tafier, Tofer, Thafear, Thafeer, Thisier, Tafyer, Thaphir, Thafur, Thapar, Thapier, Thapair, Thaper, Thaperr, Thappair, Thappaer, Thapper and Thapur.
All of these variants, spellings and related surnames are derived from the Arabic roots, which are variously pronounced and can be spelt in a variety of ways. The root ‘thaf’ meaning ‘to think’ is the source of Thafir. It is believed that the name also stems from the Arabic word ‘Tafiyyah’, which relates to having modesty.
The closest known relatives of the Thafir name are Thapar, Thapper and Thapur, all of which have similar meanings stemming from the same root. There are also several surnames related to the Thafir name, such as Thabat, Thabit, Thaheer, Thakair, Thalib, Tulaib, and Thaqib.
In terms of geographical distribution, the Thafir surname is predominantly found in South and Central Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Oman and the UAE.
Overall, there are several variants, spellings and related surnames of the same origin as Thafir, all of which have similar meanings stemming from the Arabic root ‘thaf’. The geographical distribution of the surname is predominantly found in South and Central Asia.
Famous people with the name Thafir
1.Najwa Thafir: Najwa Thafir is an Iraqi actor, writer and director. She is known for her roles in films such as Breathe (2014), Life Was Sweet (2016) and Wariner (2019). 2.Muhammad Thafir: Muhammad Thafir is a Syrian archaeologist and professor of archaeology at Aleppo University. He is known for his work on the archaeology and history of Palmyra, Syria. 3.Tewfik Thafir: Tewfik Thafir was an Egyptian film producer and director. He directed many films such as The Thief of Baghdad (1961), The Shepherd of the Monsters (1974) and The Curse of Khaleefah (1977). 4.Mohammed Thafir: Mohammed Thafir is a Yemeni businessman and entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Jupiter Group, a Yemeni conglomerate operating in industries such as food, logistics, and construction. 5.Salman Thafir: Salman Thafir is an Emirati-born entrepreneur and investor. He is the founder of Origami, an Abu Dhabi-based private equity and venture capital firm. 6.Ashraf Thafir: Ashraf Thafir is a Jordanian artist, engineer and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder and CEO of Tinker, an online marketplace connecting makers with buyers, and is the founder of Urban Arts, a project aiming to promote street art in Jordan.