Maalouf
Encyclopedia
Maalouf is the surname of one family that encompasses over 250,000 sons and daughters who share one single ancestor and a detailed family tree for nearly five centuries.
that emigrated from Yemen
to Houran in modern Syria
prior to the collapse of the Marib dam (Arabic: سد مأرب) around 102 A.D. The clan governed Houran and large surrounding regions for nearly 500 years until the Islamic conquest in 637 AD.
After the arrival of the Arabs, some members converted to Islam
while others remained Christian
mainly Greek Orthodox. Several prominent leaders received the special appellation of Maayuf (Arabic: معيوف) 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 When the ruling government subsequently rescinded this appellation, many clan members retained it in the form of a surname Maalouf, or Al-Maalouf.
Ibrahim Maalouf nicknamed "Abi Rajih" (Arabic: 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 (Arabic: عيسى), Medlej (Arabic: مدلج), Farah (Arabic: فرح), Hanna (Arabic: حنا), Nasser (Arabic: ناصر), Nehme (Arabic: نعمة), and Semaan
(Arabic: سمعان). 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
, an area that became known for its rule of law under the Ottoman Empire
.
The family crossed ash-Shām and the plains of Damascus
, over the Anti-Lebanon
mountain range, and at first settled for a few years in the village of Seriin (Arabic: (سرعين) to the northwest of the town of Zahlé
in the Bekaa Valley. 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
(Arabic: (بشري) in the high mountains of northern Lebanon
. The route to Bsharri was difficult, and when the family stumbled onto an abandoned mountain village, they decided to resettle it. After rebuilt the structures, the village was named Douma (Arabic: (دوما) 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
. However the murder of a ruler of Tripoli
over his desire to marry one of the Maalouf daughters forced them to depart to the safety of Keserwan District
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
, 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(Arabic: المحيدثة) 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 (Arabic: كفر عقاب) 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, Canada
, Brazil
, Mexico
, Argentina
, and Australia
. The Maalouf family is now prominent in several Lebanese towns and villages, most notably Zahlé
where an entire neighborhood is named after the family, Niha
, and Chlifa, in the Beqaa Valley
.
The Maalouf family’s rich history is marked by a dedication to culture and education. Its descendants had, and continue to excel in the arts and sciences. Family members include lawyers, doctors, engineers, musicians, poets, historians, journalists, military officers and public servants, and ecclesiastics. Fourteen generations separate today’s generation from their ancestor Ibrahim Abi Rajih.
Origins
The Maalouf family belongs to the group of tribes known as GhassanidsGhassanids
The Ghassanids were a group of South Arabian Christian tribes that emigrated in the early 3rd century from Yemen to Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and the Holy Land....
that emigrated from Yemen
Yemen
The Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
to Houran in modern Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
prior to the collapse of the Marib dam (Arabic: سد مأرب) around 102 A.D. The clan governed Houran and large surrounding regions for nearly 500 years until the Islamic conquest in 637 AD.
After the arrival of the Arabs, some members converted to Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
while others remained Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
mainly Greek Orthodox. Several prominent leaders received the special appellation of Maayuf (Arabic: معيوف) 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.
Ibrahim Maalouf nicknamed "Abi Rajih" (Arabic: 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 (Arabic: عيسى), Medlej (Arabic: مدلج), Farah (Arabic: فرح), Hanna (Arabic: حنا), Nasser (Arabic: ناصر), Nehme (Arabic: نعمة), and Semaan
Semaan
Semaan is one of the oldest Christian surnames in existence and is mainly found in the Levant area of the Middle East...
(Arabic: سمعان). 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
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, an area that became known for its rule of law under the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
.
The family crossed ash-Shām and the plains of Damascus
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
, over the Anti-Lebanon
Anti-Lebanon
The Anti-Lebanon mountains is the Western name for the Eastern Lebanon Mountain Range , which are a southwest-northeast-trending mountain range between Syria and Lebanon. Its Western name comes from the Greek word for ‘opposite’. The majority of the mountain range lies in Syria. The border between...
mountain range, and at first settled for a few years in the village of Seriin (Arabic: (سرعين) to the northwest of the town of Zahlé
Zahlé
Zahlé is the capital and largest city of Beqaa Governorate, Lebanon. With around 50,000 inhabitants, it is the fourth largest city in Lebanon, after Beirut, Tripoli and Jounieh...
in the Bekaa Valley. 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
Bsharri , is a Lebanese town at about 1,450 m of altitude, near the Kadisha Valley. It is located at , in the Bsharri District of the North Governorate. Bsharri is the town of the only remaining Original Cedars of Lebanon...
(Arabic: (بشري) in the high mountains of northern Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
. The route to Bsharri was difficult, and when the family stumbled onto an abandoned mountain village, they decided to resettle it. After rebuilt the structures, the village was named Douma (Arabic: (دوما) 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
Emir , meaning "commander", "general", or "prince"; also transliterated as Amir, Aamir or Ameer) is a title of high office, used throughout the Muslim world...
. However the murder of a ruler of Tripoli
Tripoli
Tripoli is the capital and largest city in Libya. It is also known as Western Tripoli , to distinguish it from Tripoli, Lebanon. It is affectionately called The Mermaid of the Mediterranean , describing its turquoise waters and its whitewashed buildings. Tripoli is a Greek name that means "Three...
over his desire to marry one of the Maalouf daughters forced them to depart to the safety of Keserwan District
Keserwan District
Keserwan is a district in the Mount Lebanon Governorate , Lebanon, to the northeast of the Lebanon's capital Beirut...
that was ruled by an emir friendly to the family.
Upon arrival at Antelias
Antelias
Antelias is a town in Lebanon. It is located around 5 km to the north of Beirut. Its inhabitants are mainly Christians and include Armenians , Maronites, Greek Catholics and Greek Orthodox ....
, the clan decided that the families of Issa, Medlej, Farah and Hanna would settle in the high mountains of the Keserwan District
Keserwan District
Keserwan is a district in the Mount Lebanon Governorate , Lebanon, to the northeast of the Lebanon's capital Beirut...
, while the families of Nasser and Nehme would head to Vayelet Damasc, while the family of Semaan would stay on the coast near Antelias
Antelias
Antelias is a town in Lebanon. It is located around 5 km to the north of Beirut. Its inhabitants are mainly Christians and include Armenians , Maronites, Greek Catholics and Greek Orthodox ....
. 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(Arabic: المحيدثة) 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 (Arabic: كفر عقاب) 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, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The Maalouf family is now prominent in several Lebanese towns and villages, most notably Zahlé
Zahlé
Zahlé is the capital and largest city of Beqaa Governorate, Lebanon. With around 50,000 inhabitants, it is the fourth largest city in Lebanon, after Beirut, Tripoli and Jounieh...
where an entire neighborhood is named after the family, Niha
Niha Bekaa
Niha is a village in the Bekaa Valley about North of Zahlé. It is famous for its Roman archeological ruins, and in particular two lower Roman temples that date back to the 1st century AD.-Etymology:...
, and Chlifa, in the Beqaa Valley
Beqaa Valley
The Beqaa Valley is a fertile valley in east Lebanon. For the Romans, the Beqaa Valley was a major agricultural source, and today it remains Lebanon’s most important farming region...
.
The Maalouf family’s rich history is marked by a dedication to culture and education. Its descendants had, and continue to excel in the arts and sciences. Family members include lawyers, doctors, engineers, musicians, poets, historians, journalists, military officers and public servants, and ecclesiastics. Fourteen generations separate today’s generation from their ancestor Ibrahim Abi Rajih.
Notable Persons
- Adrienne Maloof-NassifAdrienne Maloof-NassifAdrienne Maloof is an American businesswoman, philanthropist, television personality and co-owner of the various business holdings of Maloof Companies, which include the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada; the Sacramento Kings, the Sacramento Monarchs, Maloof Productions, Maloof Music and...
, an American businesswoman, philanthropist, television personality and co-owner of various business holdings - Amin MaaloufAmin MaaloufAmin Maalouf , born 25 February 1949 in Beirut, is a Lebanese-born French author. Although his native language is Arabic, he writes in French, and his works have been translated into many languages. He received the Prix Goncourt in 1993 for his novel The Rock of Tanios...
(Arabic: أمين معلوف) (born 1949), a Lebanese-born French author - David MaloufDavid MaloufDavid George Joseph Malouf is an acclaimed Australian writer. He was awarded the Neustadt International Prize for Literature in 2000, his 1993 novel Remembering Babylon won the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award in 1996, he won the inaugural Australia-Asia Literary Award in 2008, and he was...
(born 1934), an Australian writer - Edward MaaloufEdward MaaloufEdward Maalouf is a Lebanese competitive handcyclist, and the only person to have won medals for Lebanon at the Paralympic Games....
(born 1968), a Lebanese competitive handcyclist, and the only person to have won medals for Lebanon at the Paralympic Games - Elza MaaloufElza MaaloufElza S. Maalouf is an Arab-American futurist and cultural development specialist focusing her work on cultural and political reform in the Arab world, including Palestine, Kuwait, and Dubai, and in Syria through the European Union SHAMS project.As one of foremost futurists and expert in Memetics...
(born 1965), an Arab-American futurist and cultural development specialist - Fady MaaloufFady MaaloufFady Maalouf is a Lebanese-German pop singer. He is known as runner up of the fifth season of Deutschland sucht den Superstar, the German version of Pop Idol.-Early life:...
(Arabic: فادي معلوف) (born 1979), a Lebanese-German pop singer - George J. Maloof, Jr.George J. Maloof, Jr.George J. Maloof, Jr. , also credited as George Maloof Jr. of the Maloof Family, is the son of Colleen and George J. Maloof, Sr...
(born 1964), American real estate businessman - George J. Maloof, Sr.George J. Maloof, Sr.George Joseph Maloof, Sr. was a businessman and, at the time of his death, owner of the Houston Rockets....
(1923–1980), a businessman and, at the time of his death, owner of the Houston Rockets - Ibrahim MaaloufIbrahim MaaloufIbrahim Maalouf is a trumpeter, composer, arranger, and trumpet instructor. He was born in Beirut and now lives in France.-Biography:...
(Arabic: ابراهيم معلوف) (born 1980), a trumpeter, composer, arranger, and trumpet instructor - Jack MaloofJack MaloofJack Garth Maloof is a former minor league baseball player who has held numerous roles in professional baseball, including executive and major league coach....
(born 1949), a former minor league baseball player - Jacqueline MaloufJacqueline MaloufJacqueline Malouf was an actress, artist and teacher.Malouf was born in Los Angeles California. She is best known for her role as Leilani Dedham, hereditary princess of the fictional island nation of Haleakaloha, in the 1963 John Ford film Donovan's Reef...
(1941–1999), an actress, artist and teacher - Jacqui MaloufJacqui MaloufJacqui Malouf is a television host, cook, and author.Raised in Canada, she attended the University of Western Ontario, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, before beginning her career as a stand-up comic. Her first hosting job was on . Malouf then joined the Food Network as Bobby Flay's...
(born 1968), a television host, cook, and author - Joseph MaloufJoseph MaloufRasheed Saleem "Joseph" Malouf 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 the Eparchy of Baalbek on October 20, 1937, replacing Malitios Abou-Assaleh. "Joseph" was his...
(1893–1968), the Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop of Baalbek, Lebanon - Malouf Abraham, Jr.Malouf Abraham, Jr.Malouf Abraham, Jr. , is a retired physician and active art collector from Canadian, a community in the Texas Panhandle and the seat of Hemphill County...
(born 1939), is a retired physician and active art collector from the Texas Panhandle and the seat of Hemphill County - Malouf Abraham, Sr.Malouf Abraham, Sr.Malouf Abraham, Sr. was a self-made Texas multi-millionaire in the oil and natural gas business and a political and civic leader from Canadian, the seat of Hemphill County in the northeastern Texas Panhandle. He made his fortune in part by leasing mineral rights throughout the eastern Panhandle...
(1915–1994), a self-made Texas multi-millionaire in the oil and natural gas business and a political and civic leader - Manuel MaloofManuel MaloofManuel Joseph Maloof was the Chief Executive Officer and Commission Chairman of DeKalb County, Georgia, prominent Atlanta politician and owner of Manuel's Tavern, a popular Atlanta bar.- Early life :...
(1924–2004), the Chief Executive Officer and Commission Chairman of DeKalb County, Georgia - Maria MaaloufMaria MaaloufMaria Maalouf , is a Lebanese journalist and political analyst. Maalouf made international news when she received death threats on her cell phone...
(Arabic: ماريا معلوف), a Lebanese journalist and political analyst - Michael MaloufMichael MaloufMichael Malouf is a former Chief Executive Officer of the Carlton Football Club. On the 23rd of March 2007, it was announced that the then-current CEO at the Collingwood Football Club, Greg Swann, would replace Malouf in this position....
, a former Chief Executive Officer of the Carlton Football Club - Nasri MaaloufNasri MaaloufNasri Maalouf was a Lebanese politician. He was a Melkite Greek Catholic, and was known as a moderate and peacemaker in Lebanese politics....
(1911–2005), a Lebanese politician - Nassim MaaloufNassim MaaloufNassim Maalouf is a classical trumpet soloist particularly known for his adaptation of the trumpet to Arabic music....
(Arabic: نسيم معلوف) (born 1941), a classical trumpet soloist who adapted the trumpet to Arabic music - Paulo MalufPaulo MalufPaulo Salim Maluf is a Brazilian politician with a career spanning over four decades and many functions, including those of State Governor of São Paulo, Mayor of the City of São Paulo, Congressman and Presidential candidate. As of 2011, Maluf is on a second consecutive term as Federal Deputy...
(born 1931), a Brazilian politician with a career spanning over four decades and many functions - Richard MaloofRichard MaloofRichard Maloof is an American musician who played bass and tuba for the Lawrence Welk orchestra.He was born and raised by Cy and Lucille Maloofas, one of three children. Richard graduated from San Juan High School in Citrus Heights, then attended Sacramento State University, Los Angeles City...
(born 1940), an American musician who played bass and tuba for the Lawrence Welk orchestra - Sam MaloofSam MaloofSam Maloof was a furniture designer and woodworker. He was born in Chino, California, USA, to parents who emigrated to the United States from Lebanon...
(born Samuel Solomon Maloof) (1916–2009), a furniture designer and woodworker
See also
- Maloof familyMaloof familyThe Maloof family owns numerous business properties in the Western United States. The origin of the family name is Maalouf and is of Levantine descent; the family is Lebanese via their paternal grandfather. The Maloofs are the owners of the Sacramento Kings of the NBA . The family consists of...
- Maloof Money CupMaloof Money CupThe Maloof Money Cup is an annual skateboarding event and contest for amateur and professional skateboarders founded by Joe and Gavin Maloof of the Maloof family. The Maloof Money Cup's main goal is to raise the awareness of skateboarding not only in the United States but all around the world by...
- Maloof MusicMaloof MusicMaloof Music is a joint venture record label owned by the Maloof family Maloof Productions and Interscope Records, a division of Universal Music Group. The partnership is overseen by Phil Maloof, the Maloof family and family partner Tony Guanci...
- Maloof ProductionsMaloof ProductionsMaloof Productions is an American entertainment development and production company formed by the Maloof family in 2004...
- Malouf syndromeMalouf syndromeMalouf syndrome is a congenital disorder that causes one or more of the following symptoms: mental retardation, ovarian dysgenesis, congestive cardiomyopathy, broad nasal base, blepharoptosis, and bone abnormalities, and occasionally marfanoid habitus Malouf syndrome (also known as "congestive...
External links
- http://maloofsinternational.org/
- http://www.malooffoundation.org/
- "Origins," by Amin Maalouf, translated by Catherine Temerson, May 2008, ISBN 0374227322 http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Origins/Amin-Maalouf/e/9780374227326