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Dictionary of Jewish Surnames from Mahgreb, Gibraltar, and Malta

Captured 2025-11-23

135

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Dictionary of Jewish Surnames from Mahgreb, Gibraltar, and Malta

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This webpage presents "A Dictionary of Jewish Surnames from Maghreb, Gibraltar, and Malta" by Dr. Alexander Beider, a comprehensive scholarly work that represents a significant shift in the author's three-decade focus from Ashkenazic names in Eastern Europe to Sephardic surnames of the Mediterranean region. The 714-page hardcover dictionary ($99.00) catalogues nearly 2,000 independent root surnames from which more than 10,000 variant surnames are derived, covering the Jewish communities of North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya), Gibraltar, and Malta. This represents the first volume in what appears to be an ambitious new research direction for Dr. Beider, who is recognized for his rigorous linguistic and historical analysis of Jewish nomenclature. The dictionary's methodology is notably sophisticated, with each surname entry containing three detailed sections: Main (identifying spelling variants in both Latin and Hebrew characters, regional usage, earliest references, and bibliographic sources), Origin (determining whether names have monogenetic or polygenetic origins and providing etymology), and Variants (showing regional name variations). Dr. Beider draws from nearly 300 sources to support his conclusions, demonstrating the comprehensive scope of his research. The work goes beyond simple cataloguing by providing crucial historical context about Jewish migrations to these Mediterranean regions from other countries, as well as internal migrations within the covered area. The book's academic value is particularly significant for genealogists, historians, and linguists studying Sephardic Jewish communities, as it addresses the complex linguistic landscape of the region where Arabic, Hebrew, Berber, Spanish, Italian, French, and other languages influenced surname development. The detailed table of contents reveals extensive coverage of topics ranging from the history of surnames and migration patterns to technical aspects like transcription rules for Arabic and Hebrew, phonetic variants, and morphological changes. The work explores how surnames evolved through various historical periods, including the impact of Marrano migrations, Italian influences, Ottoman Empire connections, and even Ashkenazic surnames from Central and Eastern Europe that found their way to North Africa. By the author's own assessment and the comprehensive nature of the source material, this dictionary "dwarfs all previous publications dealing with Jewish surnames from Maghreb," making it an essential reference work for anyone researching Jewish genealogy in North Africa and the western Mediterranean. The book serves both academic researchers and family historians, offering unprecedented detail about surname origins, variants, and the complex historical factors that shaped Jewish naming practices in this culturally diverse region over several centuries.

Citation (APA Style)

Dictionary of Jewish Surnames from Mahgreb, Gibraltar, and Malta. (2025, 11 23). www.avotaynu.com. https://www.avotaynu.com/books/Maghreb.html

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Domain www.avotaynu.com
File Size 451 KB
Archived 2025-11-23T00:56:18.982667
Document ID #135
Languages 5 available