BASSORA Origin of surname
BASSORA
Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. This family name is a toponymic (derived from a geographic name of a town, city, region or country). Surnames that are based on place names do not always testify to direct origin from that place, but may indicate an indirect relation between the name-bearer or his ancestors and the place, such as birth place, temporary residence, trade, or family-relatives.
It is derived from the city of Bassora in Iraq, which was founded by Arabs in 636 CE. It is not known exactly when Jews first came to live in this area or their early history, but they were probably attracted to the city early on, as it rose to eminence as a center of learning. Local tradition has it that a second settlement of Jews took place in the middle of the 18th century by Jews from Baghdad. Places, regions and countries of origin or residence are some of the sources of Jewish family names. Many of these names, originally based on toponymics, have developed into variants which no longer resemble the form of the original source. Thus, unless the family has reliable records, names based on toponymics cannot prove the exact origin of the family.
Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. This family name is a toponymic (derived from a geographic name of a town, city, region or country). Surnames that are based on place names do not always testify to direct origin from that place, but may indicate an indirect relation between the name-bearer or his ancestors and the place, such as birth place, temporary residence, trade, or family-relatives.
It is derived from the city of Bassora in Iraq, which was founded by Arabs in 636 CE. It is not known exactly when Jews first came to live in this area or their early history, but they were probably attracted to the city early on, as it rose to eminence as a center of learning. Local tradition has it that a second settlement of Jews took place in the middle of the 18th century by Jews from Baghdad. Places, regions and countries of origin or residence are some of the sources of Jewish family names. Many of these names, originally based on toponymics, have developed into variants which no longer resemble the form of the original source. Thus, unless the family has reliable records, names based on toponymics cannot prove the exact origin of the family.