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

Lafi, 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 Lafi surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Lafi in America

Lafi is the 158432nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Lafi surname appeared 102 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 Lafi.

The history of the last name Lafi

The surname LAFI is believed to have originated from the Middle East, specifically in regions such as Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. It is derived from the Arabic word "lafi," which means "to wrap" or "to cover." This suggests that the name may have been associated with occupations related to textile or cloth production, such as weavers or tailors.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the LAFI surname can be traced back to the 12th century, when it appeared in historical records from the city of Baghdad. During this period, the name was often spelled as "al-Lafi" or "el-Lafi," reflecting its Arabic roots.

In the 14th century, the LAFI surname was documented in several manuscripts and chronicles from the Ottoman Empire, indicating that individuals with this name held positions of significance within the empire's administrative and cultural spheres.

A notable figure bearing the LAFI surname was Abu'l-Faraj al-Lafi, a renowned Arab historian and scholar who lived in the 13th century. His work, "The History of the World," provided valuable insights into the cultural and political landscapes of the Middle East during that time.

Another prominent individual with the LAFI surname was Muhammad al-Lafi, a 15th-century poet and calligrapher from Damascus, Syria. His contributions to Arabic literature and calligraphic arts were highly regarded in his era.

In the 19th century, the LAFI surname was associated with a prominent family from Aleppo, Syria. One member of this family, Abdallah al-Lafi, was a respected merchant and philanthropist who played a significant role in the city's economic and social development.

The LAFI surname has also been found in historical records from regions such as Iran and Egypt, suggesting that individuals bearing this name migrated and settled in various parts of the Middle East over the centuries.

It is worth noting that the LAFI surname is sometimes confused with the similar-sounding name "Lafi," which has different origins and meanings. The latter is a variant of the Arabic name "Latif," meaning "kind" or "gentle."

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Lafi

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

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

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

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