Semaan

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Semaan (

Shim'on), which also has the same meaning. The Greek transliteration is Σιμων (Simon) or Συμεών (Symeon), and, when Latinized, it becomes Simon or Simeon
.

In the Middle East today, the overwhelming majority of people who hold the Semaan surname are

).

Origins and History of Semaan Families

Semaans of Antioch and Syria

The Semaans of

Ghassanid Christian Arab descent (from the 3rd century) reside in the southern part (Hauran area).[1]

Some Semaans of Antioch claim descent from

Hatay province, which includes Antakya (Antioch), after Syria had control over the territory since the end of World War I
.

Today, the Semaans of Syria are scattered throughout, and they live in cities such as

.

Semaans of Lebanon

The Semaans of Lebanon can be broken down into four categories:

a) Semaans of South Lebanon are a mix of Galilean Christians of Israel from the 1st century (Marjayoun area) as well as Greek-Phoenician (Canaanite) Christians of the 2nd century (Sidon area).[4] Many Semaan families have immigrated to Western nations and South America.
b) Semaans of East Lebanon (
Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch.[5] They now live in the Bekaa region (Zahlé area), Beirut, Mount Lebanon
, and around the world.
c) Semaans of Byblos are of Greek-Phoenician (Canaanite) origin of the 1st century.[6]
d) Semaans of North Lebanon (
Ghassanid Christian Arab heritage settling first in the southern part of Syria (3rd century)[7]
before taking refuge in the mountains of Lebanon (7-8th century).

Semaans of Israel/Palestine

The Semaans of Israel/Palestine can be broken down geographically as follows:

a) Semaans of Beit Lahem (Bethlehem) are early Galilean Christians from the 1st century who, at one point in time, lived in the villages of Galilee, before settling in Bethlehem in the 9th century. There are very few left in Bethlehem today, as most have emigrated, mainly to Venezuela and Honduras.[8]
b) Simaans of
Akko (Acre), Nazareth, and the rest of Galilee are mostly Galilean Christians from the 1st century.[9] The majority has immigrated to Lebanon, Australia, and the United States.[10]
c) Semaans of Urashalim (Jerusalem) are mainly descendants of 1st century Galilean Christians who belong to the Syriac Orthodox Church of Jerusalem. Only a few remain as the majority has immigrated to the United States and Canada or moved to Jordan.

Simaans of Jordan

The Simaans of

Ghassanid Christian Arab descent from Yemen who settled in Jordan and southern Syria in the 3rd century. Some Jerusalemite Semaans of Galilean ancestry escaped the violence following the establishment of Israel
in 1948 by relocating to Jordan.

Semaans of Iraq

The Semaans of Iraq (Mesopotamia) are mainly Chaldeans and Assyrians from Mosul and Tel Keppe, in the north of Iraq, who can trace their ancestry back to the 2nd century. Today, most Semaans of Mosul and Iraq have left, especially after the American-led 2003 invasion of Iraq and the ensuing anti-Christian backlash, to places such as Lebanon, Sweden, and the United States.[11]

Semaans of Iran

The Semaans of

non-Chalcedonian Assyro-Chaldean Christians, and the second one was during the 16th century to escape the Turkish persecution of Christian minorities during the Ottoman Empire. However, today, there are only very few left.[12]

Semaans of Egypt

The Semaans of

Saint Mark. Today, many Semaans have also immigrated to Western countries.[13]

Notable people

Surname

Given name

See also

References

  1. ^ Elias J., The Guide to Levantine Families, p. 89.
  2. ^ Downey G., A History of Antioch in Syria: From Seleucus to the Arab Conquest, pp. 583–586.
  3. ^ Hanna T., Biographies of Syria's Saints, pp. 213–215.
  4. ^ Youhanna E., History of the Greek Melkite Catholic Diocese of Saida and Deir El Kamar. pp. 155-159.
  5. ^ Haddad A., Origins of the Melkite Catholics of Zahle. p. 76.
  6. ^ Jabr S., Byblos's Maronites During and After the Ottoman Empire, pp. 52-54.
  7. ^ "Semaan of Kaftoun".
  8. ^ "Palestine-Family.net; Semaan Genealogy". Archived from the original on September 6, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. ^ Avi-Yonah M., The Holy Land from the Persians to the Arab Conquests, pp. 73-76.
  10. ^ "Semaans of Suhmata of Galilee".
  11. ^ "Catholics rebuild churches in Iraq despite ongoing violence".
  12. ^ "Archbishop Youhannan Semaan Issayi".
  13. ^ "Saint Samaan Monastery, Muqattam Cairo".
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