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

Smaii, 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 Smaii surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Smaii in America

Smaii is the 63812th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Smaii surname appeared 292 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Smaii.

The history of the last name Smaii

The surname Smaii traces its origins to North Africa, specifically within the regions encompassing present-day Morocco and Algeria. The name has strong links to Berber and Arabic linguistic influences, reflecting the region's cultural and historical amalgamation. The earliest roots of Smaii possibly derive from the Arabic word "Isma'il" or "Ismail," which is itself a derivative of the Hebrew name "Yishma'el," meaning "God hears."

In historical records, the evolution of the surname can be gleaned from various manuscripts and documents dating back to the Middle Ages. One of the earliest instances of a similar name appears in an 11th-century Berber document, where a chieftain named Ismail ibn Smai is mentioned. This historical figure played an essential role in the local governance of his time, specifically around the Atlas Mountains.

Another significant figure sharing a similar name was Ahmed Smai, a 14th-century merchant who played a pivotal role in establishing trade routes between North Africa and Southern Europe. References to Ahmed Smai can be found in the trading records of various Mediterranean ports from around 1380 AD. His activities contributed to the commercial integration of the Maghreb region with the broader Mediterranean world.

During the 16th century, the name appears again in Ottoman records. Hassan al-Smaii, a military officer serving in the Ottoman Empire, distinguished himself during the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. His name is frequently mentioned in documents detailing the Ottoman naval campaigns, showcasing the influence and reach of individuals bearing this surname.

In the context of European interactions, the records of the Andalusian expulsion of the Moriscos in the early 17th century refer to a scholar named Yusuf ibn Smaii. After the expulsion, Yusuf relocated to Morocco, where he contributed significantly to Islamic scholarship, writing numerous texts on theology.

A prominent modern occurrence dates back to the late 19th century, involving Fatima Smaii, one of the first women in her region to become actively involved in the movement for women's educational rights. Born in 1885, Fatima Smaii's advocacy and pioneering efforts in women's education left a lasting impact that influenced future generations in Morocco.

The evolution of the surname Smaii, through its various historical appearances and notable figures, reflects the cultural and historical tapestry of North Africa. The name has been borne by individuals who have significantly contributed to trade, scholarship, military, and social reforms over the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Smaii

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

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 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Smaii 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 Smaii was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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