Claudio Marchesi currently works at the Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, University of Granada. Claudio does research in Geochemistry, Mineralogy and Petrology.
From a land of rugged mountains, vast deserts, and shores that touch the North Atlantic Ocean comes a copious roster of Moroccan last names.
What are the specific naming conventions or traditions in Morocco and how are Moroccan last names structured?Moroccan last names can be extremely long because they are a combination of an individual’s personal name, father’s name, and in some cases, the grandfather’s name, followed by the family name. The personal and paternal name is connected by the word ‘ibn’ for sons or ‘bint’ for daughters. Because Moroccans follow Arabic naming conventions, the last name reflects an individual’s familial connection or geographical origin. Usually, the family name begins with the prefix ‘Al’ or ‘El,’ which translates to ‘from.’ One example is al-Filali, meaning ‘from Filali.’What are the common prefixes or suffixes in Moroccan last names?The common prefixes in Moroccan surnames are ‘el’ or ‘al,’ meaning ‘from.’ With patronymic surnames, it is common to see the prefix ‘ben,’ meaning ‘son of.’ However, it is less noticeable when it comes to suffixes because of the diversity of Moroccan surnames.What are some Moroccan last names that reveal tribal or regional affiliations?While many Moroccan surnames are patronymic, there are a few that can help identify where a person is from or what tribe they belong to. A few examples of habitational or locative surnames are Akebdani, Laayouni, and Marrakchi. While surnames that indicate one’s tribe are Sbai, Azeroual, and Zouaoui.