Recorded in various spellings including Aasaf, Asaaf, Assaf, Asif, As'ad, and Assad, this is an early Muslim name, probably from a time of at least three thousand years ago. Believed to be of Persian origins, it was a given name, but now can be either a surname or a first name, and in some cases both male and female. It is a descriptive form of endearment, and the meaning is 'pure or genuine'. It is said that the traditions of Muslim names and name giving, are a gift from Allah, who demanded that they be pleasant and reflect the glories of life and nature.
Historically Muslim names have upheld the ancient hereditary tradition of adding the fathers name or sometimes the grandfathers, to that of the child, the place of birth, and then the clan or tribal name. This tradition like many others, is under threat by such influences as taxation and the telephone. The telephone, particularly in areas of western influence, demands a 'fixed' spelling for its directories. This creates a 'locked in' surname, which is required for administrative purposes, but is causing distortion to Muslim culture. It is not clear what the long term effect will be. Muslim names were originally recorded in sanscript, which still remains the most popular form, the spellings in the Romanish alphabet being phonetic or "sounds like" forms.
Research into the possible origins of assaf leads us to learn more about those who bear this surname.
There is a considerable probability that assaf has crossed the borders of its place of origin to establish itself, to a greater or lesser extent, in other parts of the world. With all the information we have today, it can be said that the countries where assaf is most abundant are the following.
The deeds, the way of life, the places they lived, the family relationships they had, the jobs they held by those who were the first to be named assaf are found in every look back in the history of this lineage.
It is common for genealogy and surname enthusiasts to provide us with information of special value, so the data we offer about the origins of assaf could be modified.
We assume that there have been significant contributions to humanity made by individuals with the surname assaf, even though not all have been documented to our present day. It is our desire to highlight in this section those individuals with the surname assaf who, for various reasons, have left their mark on the course of history.
The bibliography collects information related to the surname assaf, which allows us to learn more about its meaning.
These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of assaf, and at the same time, of surnames in general.