The slow decline of the Aleppo Jewish community began during the 19th century following the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 and was accelerated following the turmoil of World War I and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in 1918. Like other Jewish communities that had thrived in the Levant for millennia, that of Aleppo suffered its demise following the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948. During its decline, many of its members emigrated to Latin America, the United States, the United Kingdom, Lebanon, Egypt, and Palestine. By the end of the 1940s the size of the community worldwide had been estimated to be approximate 15,000 members, though no reliable statistics are found to support it.
In recent years I took upon myself the task of constructing indexes of the surnames of Jewish families that resided in Cairo, Alexandria, Damascus and Baghdad.[1] Like these other communities, there is a vast literature about Aleppo, both academic and literary, covering a wide range of topics but the contribution of these sources to genealogical research is marginal.
Here are several genealogical sources which I used to collect the surnames for this index:
1. The Sephardic Heritage Project [2] which publishes also family histories of Jews from Aleppo. The most prominent among them so far is “Branching out from Sepharad” by Sarina Roffe.[3] One has to wait for further publications to come.
2. An extensive source for Aleppo surnames is Alain Farhi’s genealogical web site, Les Fleurs de l’Orient [4] which documents Sephardic surnames and people connected to them by marriage. This database enables search also by location, in our case Aleppo.
3. The main Jewish genealogy website “Jewishgen.org” hosts a venerable crowdsourced database known as the JewishGen Family Finder [5], a database searchable by surname and/or location. The database contains Aleppian surnames in a variety of forms and transliterations. But it is a partial list, displaying only surnames contributed by genealogists searching for family connections, along with contact information for its surname contributors.
4. The Hebrew data base composed by Amnon Atzmon of Israelis who were born in Syria. It was assembled from a variety of sources available in Israel in multiple transliterations from Arabic. It does not identify the city of birth Damascus or Aleppo. The Hebrew PDF file of the 1,864 surname variants is posted in the files section of the Facebook group known (in Hebrew) as ”The Heritage of Syrian and Lebanese Jews in Israel”.[6] Only after composing the index of the Damascus Jews did it became possible for me to isolate the names on the list that specifically pertained to Aleppo. This list contains Hebraized surnames adopted in Israel which in most cases have no resemblance to the original surnames in Syria. And more important, one should note that only part of the Jews of Aleppo immigrated to Palestine/Israel. In other words, there are Aleppian Jewish surnames which have no trace in present day Israel.
5. Unlike other cities in the Levant which are poor in primary sources and their Jewish vital records are inaccessible, many of the circumcision ledgers of Aleppo in the 19th and 20th centuries (1860-1945) are accessible and were published in 2013 in Jerusalem (in Hebrew).[7] It contains 7,549 entries and was previously transcribed and posted on Jewishgen.org with an introduction by Sarina Roffe.[8]
This source is a real trove for genealogists though a less precise source for indexers. Circumcision ledgers register only males and more important, the Aleppo based circumcisers performed circumcisions also in communities outside Aleppo such as Urfa, Killis, Eintab, Mara’sh and Antioch. So, a record of a circumcision in an Aleppian ledger does not necessarily mean that the bearer of the surname was a resident of Aleppo. The same goes for the ledger of burials in Aleppo for the years 1916-1957 and which is posted on the website of the “Association of Aleppian Jews in Israel”.[9] This ledger is more problematic than the circumcisers’ ledgers since in some cases the entry does not have the deceased name or surname. The very fact that a person is buried in Aleppo is not an indication that he was a resident there.
6. Another useful and dynamic source for surnames harvesting is the social media, namely Facebook. The main one is the already mentioned above Hebrew group of “The Heritage of Syrian and Lebanese Jews in Israel” (footnote 6) which has almost 11,000 members. It is an active group and posting a query on it usually receives several useful returns.
These sources together yielded 521 surnames thus far. Our is certainly not a complete list and more will be added in due process after its publication.
Index
| Abadi |
| Abani(Qabani) |
| Abd ElAziz |
| Abd ElWahed |
| Abdallah |
| Abiad |
| Abigdor |
| Abitbul |
| Abraham |
| Abras |
| Abu AlAfia |
| Abu Darham |
| Abu Dhakn |
| Abu Shahta |
| Abu Sin |
| Abud/Aboud |
| abudi |
| Ades |
| Agawi |
| Ajami |
| Ajami Cohen |
| Ajami Halevi |
| Ajamiyyah |
| Akdiyeh |
| Akis |
| Al Maleh |
| Alako |
| Alfia/Alfieh |
| Alsheikh |
| Altaras |
| Alwan |
| Amiga |
| Amon |
| Amqieh/Anqieh |
| Amram |
| Ancona/Ankona |
| Angel |
| Ankawan |
| Antaki |
| Antakli |
| Antar |
| Antebi |
| Anzarut |
| Aqibat |
| Arakanji |
| Arav |
| Arditi |
| Armoza |
| Arwili |
| Ashkar |
| Ashkenazi |
| Ashrafiyyeh |
| Asia |
| Assis |
| Attar |
| Attieh |
| Avigdor |
| Azar |
| Azizo |
| Azraq |
| Azun/Ezon |
| Azuz |
| Baghdidi/Baghdadi |
| Baher |
| Bahur |
| Balaylah |
| Balid (Abadi) |
| Bar Natan |
| Barakat |
| Barazani |
| Barazqani |
| Barg ??? |
| Barkatli |
| Barmak |
| Barukh |
| Barzilai |
| Basha |
| Basin? |
| Bassan |
| Bassous |
| Basul |
| Bawabieh |
| Becalel |
| Beeri |
| Behar |
| Beida |
| Beiruti |
| Bekhor |
| Belilios |
| Ben Attar |
| Ben Shukr |
| Benjamin |
| Benveniste |
| Biazid |
| Bigio |
| Binu |
| Bisteriyyeh |
| Bistre |
| Bistriyeh |
| Bivas |
| Bobo |
| Bracha |
| Brezka |
| Btesh |
| Buqai |
| Buqe’i |
| Burj/Birch |
| Bussu |
| Buyarji???? |
| Buzu |
| Chabkun/Shabkun |
| Chama |
| Chayo/Shayo |
| Chemaya |
| Cherezli |
| Chiprut |
| Costa |
| Dabbah |
| Dahab/Dhahab |
| Daknish |
| Dalalah |
| Dali |
| Dana |
| Danon |
| Daq |
| Daq Elbab |
| Dayah |
| Dayyan |
| de Picciotto |
| Delmas/z |
| di Segora |
| Diarbakeli |
| Didio |
| Dishi |
| Diwan |
| Dweik/Douek |
| Ebeni/Ibeni |
| Eid |
| Eini/Ini |
| Elazar |
| Elnekaveh |
| Elyatom |
| Ephraim |
| Esess |
| Ezon |
| Ezra |
| Faena |
| Fahham |
| Falah |
| Falak |
| Fallaci |
| Fallas |
| Fannan |
| Farah |
| Farashia/Farasha |
| Farhi |
| Farjun |
| Fasfus |
| Fasha(Antebi) |
| Fattal |
| Fishek |
| Fishkel |
| Franco/Franko |
| Franji |
| Friewa |
| Gabbai/Gubbay |
| Gaffan |
| Galamidi |
| Ganani |
| Gaon |
| Garazi |
| Gershon |
| Gharib |
| Gharibo |
| Ghazaliyyah |
| Ghosha |
| Gindi |
| Gweinati |
| Habambo |
| Haber |
| Habibah |
| Habibo |
| Habuba/Habube |
| Hadaya |
| Haddad |
| Hakim |
| Hakko |
| Halabiyah/Halabie |
| Halala Cohen/Hallaly |
| Halewa |
| Hallaq |
| Halwini |
| Hamam |
| Hamawi |
| Hamuz |
| Hanan |
| Hanino |
| Hanono |
| Hara |
| Harari |
| Hares |
| Haslaliyah |
| Hazan |
| Hedayah |
| Hefetz |
| Hemsani |
| Hemsi/Homsi |
| Hidriyeh |
| Hilaliyyah |
| Hileli |
| Hileli |
| Hilu |
| Hornstein |
| Husni |
| Huweirin/Hawrin |
| Idelbi |
| Ilo/Elo |
| Iskandrani |
| Jabkun |
| Jada/Gadd’a/Djeddah/Jaddah |
| Jaffan |
| Jamus |
| Jarkatli |
| Jarmakli |
| Jawi |
| Jeddo |
| Jemal/Djemal |
| Jila |
| Jiru/Tchiru/Cherro |
| Jisri |
| Juna |
| Juweijati/Jajati |
| Kabasso/Cabasso |
| Kabbani |
| Kabudi |
| Kahalia |
| Kain |
| Kairi/Kaire/Kairah |
| Kamaya |
| Kamhadji |
| Kan’an/Kanan |
| Kandarji |
| Kanz’a |
| Karagulla |
| Kassab |
| Kassabiyeh |
| Kassar |
| Kassin |
| Kattan |
| Kawkab |
| Kazez |
| Khabbaz |
| Khadariyyah |
| Khaffif |
| Khalif |
| Khaluchi |
| Khaluf |
| Khalusi |
| Khaski |
| Khawaja |
| Khayyat |
| Khbeizo |
| Khodari/Hidary |
| Khordaji |
| Khudariah/Khidrie |
| Khudur |
| Khusti |
| Kikia |
| Kilazi/Kelzi |
| Kishk |
| Kreidi |
| Kurdi |
| Kurdiyah |
| Labaton |
| Labban |
| Lahham |
| Lahmi |
| Lala |
| Lalo |
| Laniado |
| Lawi/Levy |
| Lheb/Lahab |
| Lisbona |
| Lopez/Lopes |
| Maaravi |
| Maatuk |
| Maatuka |
| Mahali |
| Mahlab |
| Maleh/Malih |
| Mallah |
| Mamieh/Mamia |
| Mamish |
| Manafikhi |
| Mandiba |
| Manobla |
| Mansur |
| Mansurah |
| Marashli |
| Marayati |
| Marcus |
| Marioma |
| Mashta/Macheta |
| Mashu |
| Maslawi |
| Masliah |
| Masri ? |
| Masriyyah |
| Matalon |
| Matut |
| Mawas |
| Mehana |
| Mejallid |
| Menashe |
| Mezuzah |
| Mhadeb/Mohadeb |
| Midamesek |
| Mihael |
| Mikha |
| Milhem |
| Mishaan |
| Mishaanieh |
| Misri |
| Mizrahi |
| Mizreb |
| Mohadeb/Mehadeb |
| Molho |
| Morabia |
| Mordekhai |
| Moreno |
| Morsiyyah |
| Moseiri |
| Mughrabi |
| Mukawwadah |
| Mukhalalati |
| Munajed/Menajed |
| Murad |
| Musan |
| Mushon |
| Musli |
| Mustri |
| Naftali |
| Nahem |
| Nahmad/Nehmad |
| Najjar |
| Nakka’a |
| Nakkash |
| Nakshari |
| N’an’a |
| Nasar |
| Nasser |
| Nassi |
| Natan |
| Nawi |
| Nazakli |
| Nazkali |
| Nimr |
| Ninio |
| Nobati |
| Nseiri |
| Ntak(Antaki) |
| Nukshari |
| Orfali/Urfali |
| Paredes |
| Penso |
| Pinhas |
| Pinto |
| Qabini |
| Qataya |
| Qus |
| Quzi |
| Rab’i |
| Rabinu |
| Raffoul |
| Rahmani |
| Raqqas |
| Rasha/Ben Rasha |
| Raymond |
| Revah |
| Rishti/Rashti |
| Roffe |
| Rothstein |
| Roza |
| Ruben |
| Saada |
| Saadiah |
| Saadmo |
| Saati |
| Sab’a |
| Sabato |
| Sabbagh |
| Sabunji |
| Sabunjia |
| Safdie |
| Safra |
| Sagis |
| Saideh |
| Saidiyyah |
| Salama |
| Salamia |
| Salankali |
| Salem |
| Salim |
| Sankari |
| Saqa |
| Sardal |
| Sardar |
| Sasson |
| Sayegh |
| Sedaka |
| Segri |
| Semah |
| Seruya |
| Shaalo(Shaqalo) |
| Shab Album |
| Shababo |
| Shabetai |
| Shabot/Chabot |
| Shabu |
| Shabubia |
| Shahino |
| Shakra |
| Shalom |
| Shalouh/Chalouh |
| Shamah/Chamma’a |
| Shamalo |
| Shami/Chami |
| Shamiah |
| Shamma |
| Shamula |
| Shamush |
| Shaqalo/Shaalo |
| Shaqilat |
| Shaqra |
| Shaqruqah |
| Shasho |
| Shaul |
| Sh’ayo |
| Sheheibar |
| Sherabti |
| Shillo |
| Shimi |
| Shiro |
| Shmaya |
| Shomer |
| Shreim |
| Shreiti |
| Shueib |
| Shufan |
| Shurba |
| Shwekeh |
| Shwekiyyeh |
| Sibo |
| Silem |
| Silvera |
| Sisro |
| Sithon |
| Sitt Cohen |
| Skefati |
| Skeif |
| Sleilat |
| Sofer |
| Sueid/Sweid |
| Suli |
| Sultan/Sultanah |
| Sultania |
| Sweirekli |
| TabbakhTubal |
| Tabbash |
| Tabbouch |
| Tadfi/Tidfi |
| Tahhan |
| Tajer |
| Talgam/Talghram |
| Tarabulsi/Tarabelsi |
| Tarman |
| Tarnagan |
| Tarsisli |
| Tawashi |
| Tawil Cohen |
| Tayyah |
| Tayyu |
| Tbeileh |
| Tbeiliyeh |
| Tebel |
| Telio |
| Terkasli |
| Tersasli |
| Terzi |
| Tobal/Tubal |
| Totah |
| Tourjeman |
| Tubi |
| Tussia Cohen |
| Tusson |
| Yahrus |
| Yakhin |
| Yakkar |
| Yamani |
| Yarhi |
| Yedid Levi |
| Yerushalmi |
| Yonah |
| Yosef |
| Zaafrani |
| Zaatari |
| Zaatarji |
| Zagha |
| Zaghir |
| Zakkai |
| Zakuto |
| Zalta |
| Zaqzuq Cohen |
| Zarif |
| Zaruq |
| Zayyat |
| Zbeide/Zbede |
| Zeghul |
| Zeituneh |
| Zeitunieh |
| Zonana |
[1] https://avotaynuonline.com/2020/12/index-of-jewish-surnames-of-20th-century-cairo/
[2] https://sephardicheritageproject.org/sephardic-heritage-project-books
[3] https://www.nli.org.il/en/books/NNL_ALEPH990043653740205171/NLI
[4] https://www.farhi.org/genealogy/index.html
[5] https://www.jewishgen.org/jgff/jgffform.php
[6] https://www.facebook.com/groups/misham/
[7] https://www.nli.org.il/he/books/NNL_ALEPH990035705080205171/NLI
[8] https://www.jewishgen.org/databases/Syria/AleppoBritMilah.html
