Fattah
An Arabic surname meaning "conqueror" or "opener."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 377 Americans carry the last name Fattah. That puts it at #62,903 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.11 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 909,163 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Fattah surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
377
1 in 909,163
Census rank
#62,903
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
318
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 318 bearers of the surname Fattah in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.11 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 62903rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Fattah, the largest self-reported group is White at 76.7%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (9.1%) and Hispanic (5.7%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Fattah
The surname "FATTAH" is of Arabic origin, with its roots tracing back to the Middle East and North Africa regions. It is derived from the Arabic word "fattah," which means "conqueror" or "opener." The name is believed to have emerged during the early Islamic period, around the 7th century AD, when the Arabic language and culture were spreading across the Middle East and parts of North Africa.
One of the earliest known references to the surname FATTAH can be found in the medieval Islamic manuscripts, where it was used to refer to individuals who were known for their military prowess or their ability to conquer new territories. These manuscripts often recorded the names of prominent individuals, including warriors, scholars, and religious leaders.
The FATTAH surname gained prominence during the reign of various Islamic dynasties, such as the Umayyad and Abbasid caliphates. It was commonly associated with individuals who held positions of power or authority within these empires. Some notable historical figures bearing the name FATTAH include:
1. Al-Fattah ibn Khaqan (c. 8th century AD), a renowned Arab general and military commander who played a pivotal role in the expansion of the Abbasid Caliphate.
2. Ibn al-Fattah al-Qarshi (c. 12th century AD), a prominent Islamic scholar and jurist from the Maliki school of jurisprudence.
3. Fatima al-Fattah (c. 14th century AD), a renowned female poet and scholar from the Mamluk Sultanate in Egypt.
4. Mahmud al-Fattah (c. 16th century AD), a influential political figure and advisor to the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent.
5. Ali ibn al-Fattah (c. 17th century AD), a renowned Islamic scholar and theologian from the Maghreb region of North Africa.
The surname FATTAH was also associated with various place names and toponyms throughout the Middle East and North Africa. For instance, the name "Fattah" was often used to refer to specific towns, villages, or regions that were conquered or opened up for settlement during the Islamic expansion.
Over time, the FATTAH surname spread across different parts of the Arab world, including the Levant, the Arabian Peninsula, and parts of North Africa. It continued to be used by families with ties to military or political leadership, as well as those associated with religious scholarship and intellectual pursuits.
While the surname FATTAH retains its historical significance and connections to the Arabic language and Islamic culture, it has also been adopted by individuals of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds, particularly in regions with a strong Arabic influence or presence.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Fattah
Among Census respondents with the surname Fattah, the largest self-reported group is White at 76.7%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (9.1%) and Hispanic (5.7%).
The bar chart below shows how Fattah bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Fattah surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White76.7%
- Asian and Pacific Islander9.1%
- Hispanic or Latino5.7%
- Black or African American5.3%
- Two or more races3.1%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Fattah surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #62,903 | #62,903 | 0.0% |
| Count | 318 | 318 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.11 | 0.11 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Fattah bearers went from 318 to 318 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #62,903 to #62,903.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Fattah
FAQ
Fattah surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Fattah?
The surname Fattah holds position #62,903 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 377 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.11 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Fattah surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Fattah, the largest self-reported group is White at 76.7%. The next largest groups are Asian/Pacific Islander (9.1%) and Hispanic (5.7%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.