A Palestinian family is a large community of extended family members with a lineage that can be traced to ancestors who resided in Palestine.
There are numerous prominent Palestinian families who have contributed to the society, politics and economy of historical Palestine. Usage of the term Palestinian tribe is relatively uncommon and has differed depending on context. One refers to ancient tribes typically described in scriptures and Abrahamic religious texts, such as the Hivites. However, the historicity of such communities is often questioned due to their claimed descent from Noah who is described by some academic references and tertiary sources as being a fictional figure. Palestinian last names usually are named after the oldest grandfather, an adjective of the family or the place where the family is from. [1] More modern groups however are verifiable and include Alhussan, the Dabis family, the Abu hejleh family, the Abu Akleh family, the Kanaan family, the Awad family, the shehadeh family, the Taha family, the Zaaroub family, the Atrash family, the botros family, the daraghmeh family, the Mana'a family, the Zidan family, the Jouda family, the darwish family, the dweikat family, the barakat family, the Natsheh family, the Khader family, the Jacir family, the saba family, the Adwan family, the diab family, the Khalife family, the abu el hawa family, the haddad family, the Abu-Warda family, the Nashashibi family, the Shakhsheer family, the Masri family, the deeb family, the Tamimi family, Shrem family, the Najjar family, the Odeh family, Shaheen family, Al-Khalil family, Radwan dynasty, Al-Zeitawi family, Abu Ghosh clan, Doghmush clan, Douaihy family, Hilles clan, Jarrar family, Negev Bedouins, the Jayyusi family, Al-Ghunaim, the Al-Risheq family and The Renno Family.[2][3][4][5]
Prominent Palestinian families sometimes assigned specific roles to members of their community. For example, Khalidi and Alami clan members held senior administrative positions in society.[6] One of the oldest and biggest families in Palestine is the Barghouti family who trace their ancestors back over 1000 years with over 2.65 million family members with the majority spread over seven countries. [citation needed] Genetical tests have proved that the family is closely related to the prophet Mohammad’s compain Umar which has given them a big role in the politics of Islam. [citation needed] The Barghouti family claims to have ancestral roots in Spain though this has not been independently confirmed.
The Christian Palestinians are a significant community of Palestine, while the majority of them have immigrated to Latin America and other western countries, many of the most socioeconomically influential families in Palestine have been Christian.
The majority of Christian Palestinians share the same last names as Muslim Palestinians, but there are last names for Palestinian Christians that Muslim Palestinians don't have like: Imseeh which translates to "the Christian", Khoury translates to priest, Nasri translates to Christian, etc...
The El-Issa family, from Jaffa, are one of the most well known families due to their numerous contributions to Palestinian journalism in the 20th century. Their first publication known as Al-Asma'i magazine dates back to 1908, and the most known one the Falastin newspaper, established in 1911.
Another prominent well-to-do Greek Orthodox family, the Abu-Ezam family, were of the wealthiest business families in Ramla.[4][5] The Abu-Ezam family owned and operated multiple businesses that ranged from the manufacturing of halva, a sweet confection popular in the Levant, to construction materials.
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See also: Jarrar family |
The Jarrar family (Arabic: جرار) is a prominent Palestinian family. Migrating from Balqa, Transjordan to Marj Ibn Amer in 1670, they rose to economic prominence in Sanjak Jenin by the 19th century.[7] They controlled key agricultural production in the region and fortified their political power with a stronghold in Sanur. With conflicts with Acre's governors and the Tuqan family, their influence waned after the destruction of their stronghold in 1830.[8] Tawfiq al-Jarrar remained influential in Haifa's political and economic circles.[9]
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See also: Makhamra family |
The Makhamra family, prominent in Yatta and neighboring localities in the southern Hebron Hills, claims descent from a Jewish tribe expelled from Khaybar, in the Arabian Peninsula.[10] According to their tradition, their ancestor, Muheimar, a Jew, conquered the village centuries ago. There are also reports of the clan maintaining Jewish customs, including lighting candles during Hanukkah and abstaining from camel meat, which is prevalent in the area. While some scholars accept their account of expulsion from Khaybar, others propose they are remnants of an ancient Jewish population in the area. According to one theory, the name Makhamra means "winemakers" in Palestinian Arabic, a profession forbidden in Islam.[11][12][13][14]
The Meo family are known for their shop at Bab al-Khalil.[15]
Online magazine This Week in Palestine[16] is published by Sani Meo.