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El-Baz

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El-Baz, Elbaz
PronunciationHebrew pronunciation: [ɛlˈbaz אלבז], Arabic pronunciation: [elˈbæːz]
Origin
Meaning"the hawk"

Elbaz The surname Elbaz (also spelled El-Baz, Albaz, or Al-Baz) is historically associated with Sephardic Jewish communities from Spain and Portugal. This surname reflects a rich Iberian heritage, deeply rooted in the cultural and historical landscape of the region prior to the expulsion of Jews in the late 15th century.

Origins and Iberian History The origins of the surname Elbaz are closely tied to the Iberian Peninsula. Some theories suggest it may be linked to the Portuguese city of Elvas, known for its significant Jewish population during the medieval period. In Spain, the name has been connected to Jewish quarters such as those in Granada, where Jewish communities thrived before their persecution and eventual expulsion.

Families bearing the name Elbaz were often respected members of their communities, contributing as scholars, merchants, and community leaders in pre-expulsion Spain and Portugal.

Migration and the North African Connection Following the Alhambra Decree (1492) in Spain and similar legislation in Portugal (1497), many Jews, including those with the surname Elbaz, fled to North Africa. There, they established vibrant Sephardic communities, particularly in Morocco. Prominent figures from this lineage include:

Rabbi Maïmoun Elbaz, a scholar from Taroudant, Rabbi Samuel Elbaz, a significant religious figure in Fès. Etymology and Possible Arabic Influence The etymology of Elbaz remains a subject of debate. While some theories trace it to the Arabic term "al-bâz", meaning "falcon," this interpretation likely reflects linguistic influences during the coexistence of Jewish and Arabic cultures in Iberia. Nevertheless, the surname's widespread use and development are deeply rooted in the Sephardic Jewish traditions of Spain and Portugal.

A Legacy of Iberian Heritage Today, the surname Elbaz is a proud symbol of Sephardic Jewish history, representing resilience, migration, and cultural adaptation. It remains prevalent among Jewish communities worldwide, carrying with it the rich legacy of its Iberian origins.

El-Baz (Arabic: الباز, Hebrew: אלבז, also spelled Elbaz, Al-Baz, “El Baze”, Albaz or ElBez (Arabic pronunciation: [elˈbæːz]) is an Arabic surname, meaning "the hawk" or "the falcon" ("Baz" refers to the Goshawk in Arabic, and to a falcon or Kestrel in Hebrew). It could possibly be linked to the city of Elvas (Portugal), the Spanish surname Paz and the Jewish square El Bayazin ("The Falconers") in Granada. El-Baz is a large prestigious family that mostly consists of royals, scientists, and scholars. As it is also known to be an extremely wealthy family throughout history.

Elbaz

  • Alber Elbaz (1961–2021, Casablanca, Morocco), Moroccan-Israeli fashion designer
  • André Elbaz (born 1934, El Jadida, Morocco), Jewish Moroccan painter and filmmaker
  • Cheb i Sabbah (1947–2013) born Haim Serge El-Baz, Jewish Algerian club DJ
  • David Elbaz (born 1966, Paris, France) French astrophysicist and author
  • Gad Elbaz (born 1982), Israeli haredi singer
  • Gil Elbaz, founder of AdSense
  • Nathan Elbaz (1932–1954), Israel Defense Forces soldier
  • Stéphanie Elbaz, French pianist
  • Ahmed Mohamed Elbaz, (born 1976, Egypt), Professor of Tourism Management
  • Vincent Elbaz (born 1971, Paris), Jewish French actor
  • Nabil Elbaz (born 1944, Cairo - Egypt), Egyptian orthopedic and aviator. Paul Tissandier award winner in 2015.

Notable people

See also

Surname listThis page lists people with the surname El-Baz.
If an internal link intending to refer to a specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that link by adding the person's given name(s) to the link. Categories:
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