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

Wasef, 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 Wasef surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Wasef in America

Wasef is the 98099th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Wasef surname appeared 185 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 Wasef.

The history of the last name Wasef

The surname Wasef originated in Egypt, where it has been documented as early as the 13th century. The name is derived from the Arabic word "wasf," meaning "description" or "characterization." It is believed to have been initially used as a descriptive name or a nickname, referring to someone who was skilled in describing or characterizing people or objects.

The earliest recorded instance of the name Wasef can be found in a 13th-century manuscript from Cairo, where it was mentioned as the surname of a local scholar. During the Mamluk period (1250-1517), the name became more widespread, particularly among scholars, poets, and artists.

In the 16th century, the name Wasef appeared in various historical records, including tax registers and legal documents from the Ottoman Empire. One notable figure from this period was Ahmed Wasef, a renowned calligrapher who lived in Istanbul in the late 16th century.

As the centuries passed, the name Wasef continued to be found across Egypt and other parts of the Arab world. In the 18th century, a prominent figure named Mahmoud Wasef served as a vizier (minister) in the Ottoman court.

Moving into the 19th century, several notable individuals bore the surname Wasef. Ali Wasef, born in 1835, was a respected poet and scholar from Cairo. His contemporary, Ibrahim Wasef, born in 1842, was a renowned physician and founder of one of Egypt's first modern hospitals.

In the early 20th century, the name Wasef gained further recognition through the accomplishments of Mustafa Wasef, a pioneering Egyptian writer and journalist who lived from 1879 to 1957. His contributions to Arabic literature and journalism helped shape the modern Egyptian literary scene.

Another influential figure with the surname Wasef was Fatima Wasef, born in 1905. She was a prominent Egyptian feminist and activist who played a crucial role in advocating for women's rights and promoting education for girls in her country.

Over the centuries, the surname Wasef has been associated with various professions and fields, including academia, literature, medicine, and government. While its origins can be traced back to medieval Egypt, the name has spread and been embraced by families across the Arab world, carrying with it a rich cultural heritage.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Wasef

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

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

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

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