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

Kassem, 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 Kassem surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kassem in America

Kassem is the 22838th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kassem surname appeared 1,121 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 Kassem.

We can also compare 2010 data for Kassem to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Kassem

The surname Kassem has its origins in the Arabic language and is primarily found in the Middle Eastern region, particularly in countries like Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine. The name is derived from the Arabic root word "qasama," which means "to swear" or "to take an oath." It is believed that the name was initially given to individuals who were known for their honesty and trustworthiness, as they would often be called upon to swear oaths or bear witness in legal matters.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Kassem surname can be traced back to the 12th century, when it appeared in historical documents from the region during the Ayyubid Dynasty. This period saw the rise of notable figures such as Saladin, the first Sultan of Egypt and Syria, who played a significant role in the Crusades.

During the Ottoman Empire's rule over the Middle East, which lasted from the 14th to the early 20th century, the Kassem surname gained further prominence. Several individuals with this surname held positions of authority within the Ottoman administration and military ranks. One such example is Kassem Pasha, a prominent Ottoman statesman and military leader who served as the governor of various provinces in the 18th century.

As the name spread across the Middle Eastern region, it also developed variations in spelling and pronunciation. In some areas, it was written as "Kassim" or "Qassem," while in others, it was pronounced with a slight variation, such as "Kasim" or "Qasim." These variations often reflected local dialects and linguistic influences.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the Kassem surname. One of the most famous is Abdel Karim Kassem (1914-1963), an Iraqi military officer and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Iraq from 1958 to 1963. His rule was marked by significant social and economic reforms, as well as a shift towards pan-Arab nationalism.

Another prominent figure is Nizar Qabbani (1923-1998), a renowned Syrian poet and diplomat who was widely regarded as one of the greatest romantic poets of the modern Arab world. His works celebrated love, feminism, and Arab nationalism, and he is considered a literary icon in the region.

In the field of sports, Mahmoud Kassem (born 1960) is a former Egyptian footballer who played as a striker for various clubs, including Al-Ahly and the Egyptian national team. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in Egyptian football history and was known for his prolific goal-scoring ability.

The Kassem surname has also been associated with various place names throughout the Middle East. For instance, the town of Kassem in Lebanon is believed to have derived its name from the surname, reflecting the presence of families bearing this name in the area.

Overall, the surname Kassem has a rich historical background that spans centuries and reflects the diverse cultural and linguistic influences of the Middle Eastern region. Its origins can be traced back to the Arabic language and its significance as a marker of honesty and trustworthiness, while its variations and associations with notable individuals and places have further enriched its legacy.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kassem

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

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 Kassem 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.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Kassem has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

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

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

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