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

Shameem, 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 Shameem surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Shameem in America

Shameem is the 131379th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Shameem surname appeared 129 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 Shameem.

The history of the last name Shameem

The surname Shameem has its roots in the Arabic language and is believed to have originated in the Middle East region, particularly in countries like Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates. The name is derived from the Arabic word "shamim," which means "fragrant" or "pleasant-smelling."

The earliest known records of the surname Shameem can be traced back to the 7th century CE, during the early years of the Islamic era. It is possible that the name was initially used as a descriptive term or a nickname for individuals who had a pleasing aroma or were associated with the perfume trade.

In the 9th century, the name Shameem appeared in several historical manuscripts and records from the Abbasid Caliphate, which ruled a vast territory spanning from modern-day Iran to North Africa. These documents mention individuals bearing the surname Shameem, often in connection with various professions and trades.

One notable figure from this period was Abdullah ibn Shameem, a renowned poet and scholar who lived in Baghdad during the reign of the Abbasid Caliph al-Mu'tadid (892-902 CE). His works and contributions to Arabic literature have been widely studied and celebrated.

As trade and migration patterns evolved, the surname Shameem spread to other regions of the Middle East, North Africa, and eventually to the Indian subcontinent. In the 12th century, records from the Seljuk Empire mention a merchant named Yusuf Shameem, who was involved in the lucrative spice trade between the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent.

During the Mughal period in India (16th-19th centuries), the surname Shameem gained prominence among Muslim communities. One notable figure was Mirza Shameem Baig (1664-1732), a courtier and poet who served under the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

In the 18th century, the surname Shameem was also found in historical records from the Ottoman Empire, particularly in regions like modern-day Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon. A prominent individual from this era was Ahmed Shameem Pasha (1720-1788), an Ottoman statesman and military commander who played a significant role in various campaigns and negotiations.

As the centuries progressed, the surname Shameem continued to be carried by individuals from diverse backgrounds and occupations, including scholars, artists, and warriors. Some other notable figures bearing this surname include:

1. Ibrahim Shameem (1832-1902), a renowned Egyptian writer and journalist.
2. Fatima Shameem (1880-1962), a pioneering Afghan educator and women's rights activist.
3. Khalid Shameem (1914-1988), a Pakistani poet and literary critic.
4. Amina Shameem (1955-present), a Fijian judge and former Chief Justice of Fiji.
5. Wasim Shameem (1970-present), a Qatari businessman and philanthropist.

The surname Shameem has traveled far from its origins, carried by individuals and families who have left their mark on various societies and cultures throughout history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Shameem

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

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

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

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