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

Safir, 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 Safir surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Safir in America

Safir is the 61745th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Safir surname appeared 325 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 Safir.

We can also compare 2010 data for Safir 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 Safir

The surname Safir is believed to have originated in the Middle East, specifically in the regions of modern-day Iran and Afghanistan. It is derived from the Persian word "safir," which means "messenger" or "ambassador." The name likely emerged during the medieval period when messengers and ambassadors played a crucial role in diplomatic relations between kingdoms and empires.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Safir can be found in the writings of the renowned Persian poet and philosopher, Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, who lived in the 13th century. In his works, Rumi mentions a messenger named Safir who carried important missives between rulers.

The name Safir also appears in various historical records and manuscripts from the region, including the Safavid Dynasty of Persia (1501-1736). During this period, several individuals with the surname Safir held prominent positions as diplomats and envoys, facilitating communication and negotiations between the Safavid Empire and other nations.

One notable figure bearing the surname Safir was Mirza Mohammad Reza Safir, who lived in the late 18th century. He served as a diplomat and ambassador for the Qajar Dynasty of Persia, representing the country's interests in various diplomatic missions throughout the Middle East and Europe.

Another remarkable individual with the surname Safir was Hossein Safir, a renowned Persian calligrapher and artist who lived in the 16th century. His exquisite calligraphy works adorned the walls of many mosques and palaces in Iran and are still revered today.

In the 19th century, Abdollah Safir, a Persian scholar and writer, gained recognition for his literary works and contributions to the field of Persian literature. His books and writings shed light on the cultural and intellectual traditions of Iran during that era.

The surname Safir also found its way to other parts of the world through migration and cultural exchange. For instance, in the early 20th century, a family named Safir settled in the United States, where they became prominent figures in the business and philanthropic communities.

Throughout history, the surname Safir has been associated with individuals who excelled in various fields, including diplomacy, arts, literature, and scholarship. While the name's origins can be traced back to the Middle East, it has gained recognition worldwide, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of its bearers.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Safir

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

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

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

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