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

Rahhal, 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 Rahhal surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Rahhal in America

Rahhal is the 90495th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Rahhal surname appeared 204 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 Rahhal.

We can also compare 2010 data for Rahhal 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 Rahhal

The surname "RAHHAL" is believed to have originated in the Arab world, specifically in the region of the Levant, which includes modern-day Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine. The name is thought to derive from the Arabic word "rahhala," which means "to travel" or "to wander."

In the early days of Islam, many Arabs embarked on long journeys, either for trade, exploration, or religious pilgrimages. It is possible that the name "RAHHAL" was initially given to individuals or families who were known for their extensive travels or nomadic lifestyles.

The earliest recorded instances of the name "RAHHAL" can be traced back to the 9th century CE, during the Abbasid Caliphate. Several historical manuscripts from that era mention individuals bearing this surname, though their specific identities and roles remain obscure.

One notable figure who carried the surname "RAHHAL" was Abu Bakr al-Rahhal, a renowned scholar and traveler who lived in the 11th century CE. Born in Cordoba, Spain, he embarked on numerous journeys across the Mediterranean region, documenting his travels and observations in a series of travelogues.

Another prominent individual with the surname "RAHHAL" was Mahmud al-Rahhal, a 13th-century Arab explorer and geographer. He is best known for his exploration of the Indian Ocean and the East African coast, where he made significant contributions to the understanding of maritime navigation and cartography.

In the 14th century, a family by the name of Rahhal resided in the city of Damascus, Syria. They were known for their involvement in trade and commerce, and their name is mentioned in several historical records from that period.

During the Ottoman Empire, which ruled over much of the Arab world from the 16th to the early 20th century, the surname "RAHHAL" continued to be present. One notable figure was Ahmed Rahhal, an Ottoman diplomat and scholar who lived in the 18th century and served as an ambassador to several European courts.

Over the centuries, the surname "RAHHAL" has been associated with various professions, from scholars and explorers to merchants and diplomats. While its origins may be rooted in the nomadic traditions of the early Arab tribes, the name has evolved to represent a diverse range of individuals and families across the Arab world.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Rahhal

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

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

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

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