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

Makhlouf, 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 Makhlouf surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Makhlouf in America

Makhlouf is the 51512th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Makhlouf surname appeared 404 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 Makhlouf.

We can also compare 2010 data for Makhlouf 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 Makhlouf

The surname Makhlouf originates from the Arabic language and is predominantly found in the Middle Eastern region, particularly in Syria, Lebanon, and parts of North Africa. It likely emerged during the medieval period, around the 7th to 13th centuries, during the spread of Islam and the Arabic language across the region.

The name Makhlouf is derived from the Arabic root word "khalaf," which means "successor" or "heir." It is believed to have been initially given as a descriptive surname to individuals who were designated as successors or heirs to a particular position, property, or lineage.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Makhlouf can be found in historical documents from the Ayyubid Dynasty, which ruled parts of the Middle East and North Africa from the 12th to the 13th centuries. The name appears in legal records and chronicles from this period, indicating its presence among the ruling class and aristocracy.

In the 14th century, during the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt and Syria, the Makhlouf name gained prominence. Several notable figures bearing this surname held influential positions within the Mamluk administration and military. One such individual was Ahmad al-Makhlouf (c. 1320-1390), a high-ranking official and diplomat who served under various Mamluk sultans.

During the Ottoman Empire's control of the region in the 16th to 20th centuries, the Makhlouf surname continued to be prevalent, especially in Syria and Lebanon. One prominent figure from this period was Muhammad al-Makhlouf (1760-1836), a Syrian scholar and religious leader who played a significant role in the intellectual and spiritual life of Damascus.

Another notable individual with the Makhlouf surname was Ibrahim al-Makhlouf (1870-1956), a Lebanese poet and writer who was part of the literary renaissance in the Arab world during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His works explored themes of nationalism, pan-Arabism, and social reform.

In more recent history, the Makhlouf family gained prominence in Syria through their political and business connections. Rami Makhlouf (born 1969), a cousin of the former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, became one of the country's wealthiest businessmen and was considered a powerful figure in the regime's inner circle.

While the Makhlouf surname has its roots in the Arabic-speaking world, it has also spread to other regions through migration and diaspora communities. However, its historical significance and concentration remain closely tied to the Middle Eastern region, particularly Syria and Lebanon.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Makhlouf

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

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

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

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