Sarafian

Sarafian is a surname of Armenian origin, typically formed with the patronymic suffix -ian, meaning “son of” or “family of.” The root is believed to derive from the occupational term saraf (or sarraf), used for money changers or financiers in Persian and Ottoman contexts, a lineage that is often reflected in Armenian surnames.

The spelling Sarafian is the common transliteration from Armenian, and variants include Sarafyan and Sarafian; differences often reflect a choice in transliteration or regional pronunciation. The name is borne by people in Armenia and by Armenian communities abroad, including Iran, Lebanon, and the Armenian diaspora in the United States and Europe, where it has become established in secular and professional contexts.

Notable individuals with the surname include Richard C. Sarafian, an American film director known for the 1971 road movie Vanishing Point. In addition to film, bearers of the name have been involved in various arts and professions, reflecting the broad dispersion of Armenians worldwide.

The Sarafian name, like many Armenian -ian surnames, can indicate ancestral occupation or origin while functioning as a modern family name across generations and continents.