SHARIF

Origin and etymology In historic texts In the 1881 census Distribution map

Sharif

Sharif is a British surname of Arabic origin that has historical roots in Islam. The name derives from the Arabic term sharif, which means "noble" or "honourable". In Islamic tradition, the title Sharif is often used to denote someone who is a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.

The surname Sharif has been present in the United Kingdom due to migration, trade, and colonial connections with countries in the Middle East and South Asia. Individuals bearing the surname have made contributions to various fields, including politics, academia, business, and the arts.

As with many surnames, the name Sharif may have different variations in spelling, such as Shareef or Sherif. The diverse spellings can be attributed to transliteration variations from Arabic script to the Latin alphabet.

The presence of the Sharif surname in Britain reflects the nation's multicultural society and the assimilation of different cultural influences over the centuries. Today, individuals with the surname Sharif continue to be part of the rich tapestry of British society, contributing to its diversity and heritage.

There are approximately 5,668 people named Sharif in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,667th most common surname in Britain. Around 87 in a million people in Britain are named Sharif.

Region of origin: Africa

Country of origin: Somalia

Religion of origin: Muslim

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

Ahmed
Ali
Imran
Khalid
Mohamed
Mohammad
Mohammed
Muhammad
Omar
Shahid

Female

Adel
Aisha
Amina
Fatima
Fozia
Nadia
Sadia
Saima
Salma
Shazia
Tahira
Yasmin

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.