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

Seif, 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 Seif surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Seif in America

Seif is the 40976th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Seif surname appeared 532 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 Seif.

We can also compare 2010 data for Seif 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 Seif

The surname "SEIF" is of Arabic origin, derived from the Arabic word "sayf" which means "sword". It is believed to have originated in the Middle East during the medieval period, particularly in regions with significant Arab or Islamic influence.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "SEIF" can be found in historical documents from the 10th century, where it was used to refer to individuals who were skilled swordsmiths or warriors. The name was often associated with those who excelled in the art of swordmaking or demonstrated exceptional prowess on the battlefield.

In the 12th century, records indicate that a prominent figure named Seif al-Din al-Malik al-Adil (1145-1218), a Kurdish ruler and member of the Ayyubid dynasty, bore the name "SEIF". He was known for his military campaigns and strategic alliances during the Crusades.

Another notable figure with the surname "SEIF" was Al-Seif Al-Yazdi (1292-1366), a Persian scholar and poet who lived during the Ilkhanate period. His works encompassed various subjects, including poetry, astronomy, and mathematics, and he is remembered for his contributions to the intellectual and cultural landscape of the time.

In the 16th century, the name "SEIF" appeared in Ottoman records, where it was associated with individuals from various backgrounds, including merchants, artisans, and military personnel. One such individual was Seif Pasha (1550-1610), an Ottoman statesman and Grand Vizier who served under Sultan Mehmed III.

During the 19th century, the surname "SEIF" gained prominence in regions such as Egypt and the Levant. One notable figure from this period was Seif Bey al-Masri (1815-1890), an Egyptian politician and reformer who played a significant role in the modernization efforts of the country under the reign of Khedive Ismail.

While the surname "SEIF" has its roots in the Middle East, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. Throughout history, individuals bearing this name have made significant contributions in fields ranging from literature and academia to politics and military affairs.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Seif

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

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

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

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