ZAGURI Origin of surname
ZAGURI, ZAGURY, ZAGOURI, ZAGOURY, ZAGOORY
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.
Many experts take the view that this name is of Berber origins and indicates that the bearer or his ancestors came from the town of Zegoura, ancient capital of the Draa valley in Morocco and oasis on the golden route between the Sudan and Morocco, where there was a large Jewish community. The name may also derive from the places Secura or Segura De La Sierra, in the province of Jaen, Spain.
By the 20th century, most families bearing this name seem to be living at Casablanca, Rabat, Safi and Mogador. The spellings Zagury and Azagury (and all the variants) are often inter-changeable.
Distinguished bearers of this name include Elie Zagury, an influential merchant in the city of Mogador in the 18th/19th century; David Zagury, rabbi of Mogador who emigrated to Portugal in 1859 and founded the first rabbinical school for the small Jewish community in the town of Sao Miguel; the 19th century president of the Casablanca community, Nissim Zagury; Mogador-born merchant, Joseph Zagury, who settled in England and was co-founder of a committee for helping and defending the Jews of Morocco; the son of Nissim Zagury called Yahya Zagury, one of the most prominent Moroccan Jews in the first half of the 20th century and president of the Casablanca community for over half a century until his death in 1959. He was awarded the Legion of Honor by the French.
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.
Many experts take the view that this name is of Berber origins and indicates that the bearer or his ancestors came from the town of Zegoura, ancient capital of the Draa valley in Morocco and oasis on the golden route between the Sudan and Morocco, where there was a large Jewish community. The name may also derive from the places Secura or Segura De La Sierra, in the province of Jaen, Spain.
By the 20th century, most families bearing this name seem to be living at Casablanca, Rabat, Safi and Mogador. The spellings Zagury and Azagury (and all the variants) are often inter-changeable.
Distinguished bearers of this name include Elie Zagury, an influential merchant in the city of Mogador in the 18th/19th century; David Zagury, rabbi of Mogador who emigrated to Portugal in 1859 and founded the first rabbinical school for the small Jewish community in the town of Sao Miguel; the 19th century president of the Casablanca community, Nissim Zagury; Mogador-born merchant, Joseph Zagury, who settled in England and was co-founder of a committee for helping and defending the Jews of Morocco; the son of Nissim Zagury called Yahya Zagury, one of the most prominent Moroccan Jews in the first half of the 20th century and president of the Casablanca community for over half a century until his death in 1959. He was awarded the Legion of Honor by the French.