OHAYON Origin of surname
OHAYON, OUHAYON
Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. This Jewish family name is a patronymic surname deriving from a male ancestor's personal name of biblical origin.
The surname Ohayon is derived from the Hebrew word "hai (chai)", which means "alive/living", and is a variant of the male personal name Hayyim. The prefix "o/ou" is a Berber patronymic meaning "son of" Hayon. Hayyim appears in the Bible as a word and not as a name. Since Hayyim in its different forms - Hai, Hiyya, Hihye, and the feminine Haya - can be traced to that early period. In the Middle Ages, it became a popular practice among Ashkenazi Jews to add Hayyim to a personal name either during circumcision or, in the event of sickness or danger, later on in life. This was done to ensure health and long life. Among Sephardi Jews, Hai/Chai ("alive") is still a popular additional name while Yihye ("he will live") was widespread among Yemenite Jews. In the course of Jewish wanderings, the name Hayyim was influenced by local pronunciation - becoming, for example, Aim or Haym in Spain, Heim or Hayems in Germany and Alsace, Chajjim in Turkey, Hagin in England, Hayon, Ouhayon and many others in Arabic-speaking countries. It was translated into Latin as Vives, Vita, Vidal, and into Arabic as Yaish and Ayash. Under German and Yiddish influence Vives became Feives, Feis, Feivush and even Feischel.
One of the first records of the Jewish name Heynn dates from the 14th century in central France the spelling Heyenne is documented in France in the 15th century and Hehne is mentioned at Bueckenburg in Germany in 1697.
Distinguished bearers of the surname Ohayon include the 15th century Portuguese rabbi, Isaac Ohayon, reputed to perform miracles; the 18th century rabbi and 'dayan' ("religious judge") of Marrakesh in Morocco, Mussa Ben David Ohayon, and the 20th century community leader Shalom Ohayon, president of the community of Demnat in Morocco in 1952.
Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name. This Jewish family name is a patronymic surname deriving from a male ancestor's personal name of biblical origin.
The surname Ohayon is derived from the Hebrew word "hai (chai)", which means "alive/living", and is a variant of the male personal name Hayyim. The prefix "o/ou" is a Berber patronymic meaning "son of" Hayon. Hayyim appears in the Bible as a word and not as a name. Since Hayyim in its different forms - Hai, Hiyya, Hihye, and the feminine Haya - can be traced to that early period. In the Middle Ages, it became a popular practice among Ashkenazi Jews to add Hayyim to a personal name either during circumcision or, in the event of sickness or danger, later on in life. This was done to ensure health and long life. Among Sephardi Jews, Hai/Chai ("alive") is still a popular additional name while Yihye ("he will live") was widespread among Yemenite Jews. In the course of Jewish wanderings, the name Hayyim was influenced by local pronunciation - becoming, for example, Aim or Haym in Spain, Heim or Hayems in Germany and Alsace, Chajjim in Turkey, Hagin in England, Hayon, Ouhayon and many others in Arabic-speaking countries. It was translated into Latin as Vives, Vita, Vidal, and into Arabic as Yaish and Ayash. Under German and Yiddish influence Vives became Feives, Feis, Feivush and even Feischel.
One of the first records of the Jewish name Heynn dates from the 14th century in central France the spelling Heyenne is documented in France in the 15th century and Hehne is mentioned at Bueckenburg in Germany in 1697.
Distinguished bearers of the surname Ohayon include the 15th century Portuguese rabbi, Isaac Ohayon, reputed to perform miracles; the 18th century rabbi and 'dayan' ("religious judge") of Marrakesh in Morocco, Mussa Ben David Ohayon, and the 20th century community leader Shalom Ohayon, president of the community of Demnat in Morocco in 1952.