Maalouf (alternative spellings:
Maloof,
Malouf, Malouff,
Maluf, Malluf;
Arabic
Arabic (, ' ; , ' or ) is a Semitic languages, Semitic language spoken primarily across the Arab world.Semitic languages: an international handbook / edited by Stefan Weninger; in collaboration with Geoffrey Khan, Michael P. Streck, Janet C ...
: معلوف
المعلوف) is an Arabic surname.
Origins
The Maalouf family belongs to the group of tribes known as
Ghassanids that emigrated from
Yemen
Yemen (; ar, ٱلْيَمَن, al-Yaman), officially the Republic of Yemen,, ) is a country in Western Asia. It is situated on the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula, and borders Saudi Arabia to the Saudi Arabia–Yemen border, north and ...
to
Houran in modern
Syria
Syria ( ar, سُورِيَا or سُورِيَة, translit=Sūriyā), officially the Syrian Arab Republic ( ar, الجمهورية العربية السورية, al-Jumhūrīyah al-ʻArabīyah as-Sūrīyah), is a Western Asian country loc ...
prior to the collapse of the
Marib Dam
The Marib Dam ( ar, سَدّ مَأْرِب ', or ar, سُدّ مَأْرِب ') is a modern dam blocking the ''Wadi'' or Valley of Adhanah (, also ''Dhanah'' ) in the Balaq Hills, located in the Ma'rib Governorate in Yemen. The current dam was ...
( ar, سد مأرب) around 102
AD The clan governed Houran and large surrounding regions for nearly 500 years until the
Islamic
Islam (; ar, ۘالِإسلَام, , ) is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion centred primarily around the Quran, a religious text considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God (or '' Allah'') as it was revealed to Muhammad, the mai ...
conquest in 637 AD.
After the arrival of
Islam
Islam (; ar, ۘالِإسلَام, , ) is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic Monotheism#Islam, monotheistic religion centred primarily around the Quran, a religious text considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God in Islam, God (or ...
, some members converted to
Islam
Islam (; ar, ۘالِإسلَام, , ) is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic Monotheism#Islam, monotheistic religion centred primarily around the Quran, a religious text considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God in Islam, God (or ...
while most remained
Christian
Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...
mainly
Antiochian Eastern-Orthodox and
Melkite Greek Catholic
el, Μελχιτική Ελληνική Καθολική Εκκλησία
, image = Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Damascus, Syria.jpg
, imagewidth = 200px
, alt =
, caption =
, abbreviatio ...
. Several prominent leaders are said to have received the special appellation of ''Maayuf'' () meaning “exempted” or “protected.” When the ruling government subsequently rescinded this appellation, many clan members retained it in the form of a surname Maalouf, or Al-Maalouf. However, that version of the origin of the family name is disputed.
Ibrahim Maalouf nicknamed "Abi Rajih" ( ar, ابي راجح) reflecting his wisdom was a prominent and rich landowner in the town or village of Upper Damia in
Houran. He had seven sons: Issa (), Medlej (), Farah (), Hanna (), Nasser (),
Nehme (), and
Semaan Semaan (Syriac Aramaic: ܫܡܥܘܢ ''Šemʿōn'' ; , ''Semʻān'') (also spelled Sem'an, Semán, Simaan, Sim'an, Samaan, Samman, Sam'an, Sima'an) is a Christian surname mainly found in the Levant area of the Middle East. It is derived from the Semi ...
(). For political, social and religious reasons, and as a result of a conflict that his family engaged in with neighboring clans in 1519 AD, Ibrahim decided to sell his land and leave
Houran for the mountains of
Lebanon
Lebanon ( , ar, لُبْنَان, translit=lubnān, ), officially the Republic of Lebanon () or the Lebanese Republic, is a country in Western Asia. It is located between Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus li ...
, an area that became known for its rule of law under the
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire, * ; is an archaic version. The definite article forms and were synonymous * and el, Оθωμανική Αυτοκρατορία, Othōmanikē Avtokratoria, label=none * info page on book at Martin Luther University) ...
.
The family crossed
ash-Shām and the plains of
Damascus
)), is an adjective which means "spacious".
, motto =
, image_flag = Flag of Damascus.svg
, image_seal = Emblem of Damascus.svg
, seal_type = Seal
, map_caption =
, ...
, over the
Anti-Lebanon
The Anti-Lebanon Mountains ( ar, جبال لبنان الشرقية, Jibāl Lubnān ash-Sharqiyyah, Eastern Mountains of Lebanon; Lebanese Arabic: , , "Eastern Mountains") are a southwest–northeast-trending mountain range that forms most of ...
mountain range, and at first settled for a few years in the village of Seriin () to the northwest of the town of
Zahlé
Zahlé ( ar, زَحْلة) is the capital and the largest city of Beqaa Governorate, Lebanon. With around 150,000 inhabitants, it is the third-largest city in Lebanon after Beirut and Tripoli and the fourth largest taking the whole urban area (t ...
in the
Bekaa Valley
The Beqaa Valley ( ar, links=no, وادي البقاع, ', Lebanese ), also transliterated as Bekaa, Biqâ, and Becaa and known in classical antiquity as Coele-Syria, is a fertile valley in eastern Lebanon. It is Lebanon's most importan ...
. However, this stay was short lived due to conflicts with existing residents. In 1526 AD, Ibrahim decided to move from the Bekaa Valley to
Bsharri
Bsharri ( ar, بشرّي ''Bšarrī''; syr, ܒܫܪܝ; also Romanized ''Becharre'', ''Bcharre'', ''Bsharre'', (''Bcharre El Arez بشرّي الارز'') is a town at an altitude of about to . It is located in the Bsharri District of the Nort ...
() in the high mountains of northern
Lebanon
Lebanon ( , ar, لُبْنَان, translit=lubnān, ), officially the Republic of Lebanon () or the Lebanese Republic, is a country in Western Asia. It is located between Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus li ...
. The route to Bsharri was difficult, and when the family stumbled onto an abandoned mountain village, they decided to resettle it. After rebuilding the structures, the village was named
Douma () in commemoration of the original Maalouf village in Houran. A church named for Saint Sarkis, venerated by the Christians of Houran, was also built in the village.
The stay in Douma was pleasant as the clan developed friendly relations with their neighbors and the ruling
emir
Emir (; ar, أمير ' ), sometimes transliterated amir, amier, or ameer, is a word of Arabic origin that can refer to a male monarch, aristocrat, holder of high-ranking military or political office, or other person possessing actual or cerem ...
. However the murder of a ruler of
Tripoli
Tripoli or Tripolis may refer to:
Cities and other geographic units Greece
*Tripoli, Greece, the capital of Arcadia, Greece
* Tripolis (region of Arcadia), a district in ancient Arcadia, Greece
* Tripolis (Larisaia), an ancient Greek city in ...
over his desire to marry one of the Maalouf daughters forced them to depart to the safety of
Keserwan District
Keserwan District ( ar, قضاء كسروان, transliteration: ''Qaḍā' Kisrawān'') is a district (''qadaa'') in Keserwan-Jbeil Governorate, Lebanon, to the northeast of Lebanon's capital Beirut. The capital, Jounieh, is overwhelmingly Maroni ...
that was ruled by an emir friendly to the family.
Upon arrival at
Antelias, the clan decided that the families of Issa, Medlej, Farah and Hanna would settle in the high mountains of the
Keserwan District
Keserwan District ( ar, قضاء كسروان, transliteration: ''Qaḍā' Kisrawān'') is a district (''qadaa'') in Keserwan-Jbeil Governorate, Lebanon, to the northeast of Lebanon's capital Beirut. The capital, Jounieh, is overwhelmingly Maroni ...
, while the families of Nasser and Nehme would head to
Vayelet Damasc, while the family of Semaan would stay on the coast near
Antelias. The families of Issa, Medlej and Farah retained the surname of Maalouf, whereas the other branches adopted other surnames, notably Klink for the Hanna branch, Kreidy for the Semaan branch, Laham for the Nasser branch, and Najjar for the Nehme branch.
The first four branches settled in the village of Mhaydse () in 1550 AD and lived peacefully for several years. From their homes, they observed across a deep ravine an attractive, protected and forested ridge which they often used as a hunting ground. After receiving permission from the ruling emir, the families of Issa, Medlej and Farah relocated their homes and built the village of
Kfarakab () in 1560 AD and the main church in 1570 AD The family of Hanna remained in Mhaidsse.
Kfarakab become the core settlement of the Maalouf clan and gave the family the opportunity to play an integral role in the social, economical, political and military developments in Lebanon. From
Kfarakab, thousands of descendants migrated across Lebanon, and later, internationally, especially since the late 1800s, settling in the
United States of America
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territo ...
,
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...
,
Brazil
Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...
,
Mexico
Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...
,
Argentina
Argentina (), officially the Argentine Republic ( es, link=no, República Argentina), is a country in the southern half of South America. Argentina covers an area of , making it the second-largest country in South America after Brazil, th ...
, and
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
. The Maalouf family is now prominent in several Lebanese towns and villages, most notably
Zahlé
Zahlé ( ar, زَحْلة) is the capital and the largest city of Beqaa Governorate, Lebanon. With around 150,000 inhabitants, it is the third-largest city in Lebanon after Beirut and Tripoli and the fourth largest taking the whole urban area (t ...
where an entire neighborhood is named after the family,
Niha, and Chlifa, in the
Beqaa Valley
The Beqaa Valley ( ar, links=no, وادي البقاع, ', Lebanese ), also transliterated as Bekaa, Biqâ, and Becaa and known in classical antiquity as Coele-Syria, is a fertile valley in eastern Lebanon. It is Lebanon's most important ...
.
The Maalouf family's rich history is marked by a dedication to culture and education. The family contributed to
Al-Nahda
The Nahda ( ar, النهضة, translit=an-nahḍa, meaning "the Awakening"), also referred to as the Arab Awakening or Enlightenment, was a cultural movement that flourished in Arabic-speaking regions of the Ottoman Empire, notably in Egypt, ...
.
Its descendants had to continue and excel in the arts and sciences. Family members include politicians, judges, lawyers, doctors, engineers, musicians, poets, historians, journalists, military officers, public servants, and ecclesiastics. Fourteen generations separate today's generation from their ancestor
Ibrahim Abi Rajih.
Nasif
Following their arrival at Ellis island in the early 20th century, a family of Maloofs had changed their names to Nasif and settled around the northeastern United States, many of whom live in Boston.
Notable persons
Maalouf
*
(born 1949), Lebanese-born French author and member of the
Académie francaise
*
Edgar Maalouf (1934–2018), Lebanese politician
*
Edward Maalouf (born 1968), Lebanese competitive hand-cyclist, and the only person to have won medals for Lebanon at the Paralympic Games
*
Fady Maalouf
Fady Maalouf ( ar, فادي معلوف pronounced Fādī Maʿlūf; born on 20 April 1979) is a German–Lebanese pop and crossover opera singer. He is known as the runner up of the fifth season of ''Deutschland sucht den Superstar'', the Germa ...
(born 1979), Lebanese-German pop singer
*
Ibrahim Maalouf
Ibrahim Maalouf ( ar, ابراهيم معلوف, ; born 5 November 1980 in Beirut) is a French-Lebanese trumpeter, producer, arranger, and composer.
In 2022, he became the first Lebanese instrumentalist nominated at the Grammy Awards for his albu ...
(born 1980), trumpeter, composer, arranger, and trumpet instructor
*
Jhony Maalouf, contestant in season 1 of the French ''
The Voice: La Plus Belle Voix''
*
Maria Maalouf, Lebanese journalist and political analyst
*
Melhem B. Maalouf (1937–1996), President of the criminal chamber at the Lebanese Court of Cassation.
*
Nasri Maalouf
Nasri Maalouf ( ar, نصري معلوف) (May 7, 1911 – April 2, 2005) was a Lebanese politician. He was a Melkite Greek Catholic, and was known as a moderate and peacemaker in Lebanese politics.
Nasri Maalouf was also a prominent lawyer, wh ...
(1911–2005), Lebanese politician, Member of Parliament, minister
*
Nassim Maalouf
Nassim Maalouf ( ar, نسيم معلوف) (born 1941 in Kafarakab, Lebanon) is a classical trumpet soloist particularly known for his adaptation of the trumpet to Arabic music with the introduction of quarter tones on the instrument.
Family
Maalo ...
(born 1941), Lebanese classical trumpet soloist who adapted the trumpet to Arabic music
*
Samir Maalouf
Samir Maalouf () is a Lebanese actor and voice actor.
Filmography
Film
*Fire of Love. 1968
*Hello Love. 1968
Television
*Stingies. 1983
*Honesty - Samir. 1982
*The White Mask. 1974
*Adventures of Nader - Zakarya. 1969
*International ...
, Lebanese actor
*
Toni Maalouf
Toni Maalouf ( ar, طوني معلوف) is a Lebanese actor.
Filmography
FilmEddis Kfeefan- Father Hardini. 1998
*'' Charbel: The Movie'' - Father Hardini. 2009
*Rafka - Father Hardini
*In the Shadow of the City - طيف المدينة' - Nadi ...
, Lebanese actor
*
Habib Maalouf, Lebanese journalist, writer, advisor of the Ministry of Environment, Lebanon
Malouf
*
David Malouf
David George Joseph Malouf AO (; born 20 March 1934) is an Australian poet, novelist, short story writer, playwright and librettist. Elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2008, Malouf has lectured at both the University of Quee ...
(born 1934), Australian writer
*
Jacqui Malouf (born 1968), Canadian television host, cook, and author
*
Joseph Malouf
Rasheed Saleem "Joseph" Malouf (December 20, 1893 – March 5, 1968) was the Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop of Baalbek, Lebanon. Born in Zabbougha, Lebanon, Malouf was ordained a Melkite priest on July 20, 1925.
He was appointed bishop of ...
(1893–1968), the Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop of Baalbek, Lebanon
*
Michael Malouf
Michael Kevin Malouf (born 5 November 1953) is an Australian executive, serving as an executive or chief executive officer at various institutions.
Administration career
Malouf most recent tenure was being CEO at VicRoads from 2018 to 4 March 2 ...
, Australian businessman, former chief executive officer of the Carlton Football Club
*
Dominic Malouf, (born 1992), Australian investment banker, currently based in Paris, France
Maloof
*
Adrienne Maloof
Adrienne Maloof (born September 4, 1961) is an American businesswoman, television personality, shoe designer, and co-owner of the various business holdings of Maloof Companies, which include a stake in the Sacramento Kings ( NBA), the Vegas G ...
(born 1961), American businesswoman and television personality
*
George J. Maloof Jr.
George Joseph Maloof Jr. (born September 2, 1964) is an American entrepreneur and businessman. He is the former owner of the Sacramento Kings, the former owner of the now defunct Sacramento Monarchs, and was minority owner of the Palms Casino Res ...
(born 1964), American real estate businessman
*
George J. Maloof Sr.
George Joseph Maloof Sr. (April 11, 1923 – November 29, 1980) was an American heir and businessman of Lebanese descent.
Biography
Early life
George Joseph Maloof Sr. was born on April 11, 1923, in Las Vegas, New Mexico. His father, Joseph Malo ...
(1923–1980), American businessman and, at the time of his death, owner of the Houston Rockets
*
Jack Maloof (born 1949), former minor league baseball player
*
Manuel Maloof (1924–2004), American businessman and politician
*
Richard Maloof
Richard Maloof (born January 17, 1940) is an American musician who played bass and tuba for the Lawrence Welk orchestra.
He was born and raised by Cy and Lucille Maloof, one of four children. Richard graduated from San Juan High School in Citr ...
(born 1940), American musician who played bass and tuba for the Lawrence Welk orchestra
*
Sam Maloof
Sam Maloof (January 24, 1916 – May 21, 2009)
''Press-Enterprise'', ...
(born Samuel Solomon Maloof) (1916–2009), American furniture designer and woodworker
Nasif
*
Ronald Nasif (born 1952), orthopedic surgeon and former football coach who created the Brookline Pop Warner football league
*
Christopher Nasif (born 1987), American real estate businessman, investor and engineer
*
Gregory Nasif (born 1989), political director and spokesperson for Humanity Forward
See also
;Disambiguation pages
*
Maloof (disambiguation)
*
Malouf (disambiguation)
*
Maluf (disambiguation)
;Others
*
Maloof family
The Maloof family is a prominent American family based in Las Vegas, Nevada, who are owners of numerous business properties in the Western United States. The original spelling of the family name is Maalouf. The family is of Lebanese descent via th ...
*
Maloof Money Cup
The Maloof Money Cup was an annual skateboarding competition for amateur and professional skateboarders founded by Joe and Gavin Maloof of the Maloof family. The events were held in four cities: Costa Mesa, California in 2008, 2009, 2010; New York ...
*
Maloof Productions Maloof Productions is an American entertainment development and production company formed by the Maloof family, led by Chairman and CEO Phil Maloof and President Andrew Jameson, focuses on film, television, and music.
Maloof Television
The company' ...
*
Malouf syndrome
References
[https://doctor.webmd.com/doctor/ronald-nasif-ddaa3287-468e-4ec5-9e6e-e26f2d0248c1-overview]
External links
Maloofs International websiteMaloof Foundation website
{{surname
Surnames
Arabic-language surnames
Christian families
Lebanese families