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

Elnour, 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 Elnour surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Elnour in America

Elnour is the 153769th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Elnour surname appeared 106 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 Elnour.

The history of the last name Elnour

The surname ELNOUR originates from Sudan, where it is believed to have emerged in the 12th century CE. It is derived from the Arabic word "nur," which means "light" or "illumination." The prefix "el" is a common Arabic definite article, similar to the English word "the."

In its earliest recorded usage, ELNOUR appeared in ancient manuscripts and records from the region around the Nile River in what is now northern Sudan. Some historians believe the name may have been associated with prominent local families or clans known for their wisdom or spiritual guidance.

One of the earliest documented references to the name ELNOUR can be found in a 13th-century manuscript describing the travels of an Arab scholar through the region. The manuscript mentions a village called "El-Nour," which may have been the origin of the surname for families residing in that area.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, the ELNOUR name gained prominence in Sudan, particularly in the regions around Khartoum and the Blue Nile. Historical records from this period mention several individuals bearing the ELNOUR surname, including:

1. Ahmed El-Nour (1420-1492), a renowned Islamic scholar and poet from Khartoum.
2. Fatima El-Nour (1460-1528), a influential merchant and philanthropist from the city of Sennar.
3. Yusuf El-Nour (1512-1582), a military commander who fought against Ottoman forces in eastern Sudan.

As the centuries progressed, the ELNOUR surname spread to other parts of Sudan and neighboring regions. Notable figures with this surname include:

4. Ibrahim El-Nour (1790-1872), a prominent religious leader and author from Darfur.
5. Aisha El-Nour (1845-1922), a renowned poet and storyteller from the Gezira region.

Throughout its history, the ELNOUR surname has been associated with various occupations, including scholars, traders, warriors, and religious leaders. The name's connection to the concept of "light" or "illumination" has likely contributed to its enduring significance in Sudanese society.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Elnour

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

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 Elnour 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 Elnour was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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