Find out how popular the last name Asseff is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Asseff.

Asseff, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Asseff surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Asseff in America

Asseff is the 152628th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Asseff surname appeared 107 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Asseff.

The history of the last name Asseff

The surname ASSEFF has its origins in the Middle East, specifically in the region of modern-day Syria and Lebanon. It is derived from the Arabic word "asaf," which means "to grieve" or "to lament." This suggests that the name may have been given to someone who had experienced significant sorrow or loss.

The earliest recorded instances of the ASSEFF surname date back to the 12th century, where it appears in records of trade and commerce in the cities of Damascus and Aleppo. During this time, the name was often spelled as "Assaf" or "Assaff," reflecting the phonetic variations common in the Arabic language.

In the 14th century, the ASSEFF name gained prominence with the rise of a wealthy merchant family in the city of Tripoli, Lebanon. One notable member of this family was Ibrahim Asseff, a successful trader who established trade routes between the Levant and Europe, facilitating the exchange of goods such as spices, silks, and precious metals.

As the ASSEFF family's influence grew, they established connections with other prominent families in the region, including the Mamluk dynasty of Egypt. Historical records from the 15th century mention an Asseff ambassador being sent to the Mamluk court to negotiate trade agreements.

In the 16th century, the ASSEFF name appears in the Ottoman Empire's records, as some members of the family migrated to Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) in search of new opportunities. One notable figure from this period was Hasan Asseff, a renowned calligrapher and scholar who served in the court of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.

During the 18th century, the ASSEFF name spread further across the Mediterranean region, with members of the family settling in places like Greece, Italy, and Spain. One significant figure from this time was Miguel Asseff, a Spanish naval officer who participated in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, where he displayed great valor and bravery.

As the centuries progressed, the ASSEFF name continued to be found in various parts of the Middle East, Europe, and beyond. Notable individuals bearing this surname include:

1. Yusuf Asseff (1856-1927), a prominent Lebanese journalist and political activist who advocated for Lebanese independence from Ottoman rule.
2. Fatima Asseff (1879-1958), an Egyptian feminist and advocate for women's rights, who played a significant role in the Egyptian feminist movement of the early 20th century.
3. Abdul Asseff (1905-1986), a Syrian painter and sculptor whose works reflected the cultural heritage of the Middle East and were exhibited internationally.
4. Samir Asseff (1928-2005), a Lebanese-American writer and academic who taught at several universities in the United States and authored several books on Middle Eastern literature and culture.
5. Leila Asseff (born 1973), a Jordanian-American entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded a successful technology company and is known for her efforts in promoting education and empowerment for women and girls in the Middle East.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Asseff

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Asseff.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Asseff was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Asseff was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Asseff, please contact us.

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