Simaan

Simaan is a surname used in Arabic-speaking communities, and occasionally a given name. It is most commonly found among families with roots in Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Jordan, and Egypt, and among the broader Levantine and North African diasporas. The spelling varies due to transliteration from Arabic, with common forms including Simaan, Siman, Semaan, Samaan, and Sama’an.

The name is often a patronymic, derived from a local form of a given name such as Samuel or Simon in Christian contexts, or from the given name Simaan itself in Arabic usage. In many Arab countries, Semaan/Samaan is a widely used surname, while Simaan is common in other regions and in the diaspora, particularly in the Americas and Europe.

The name has no single universal meaning beyond its association with the given name from which it originated, but in some communities it is linked to familial lineage rather than a current occupation or status. It may be encountered among both Christian and Muslim families, reflecting the diverse religious landscape of the Levant.

Variants for genealogical and historical research include Samaan, Semaan, Samman, and Siman, among others. When researching records, it is helpful to search across these spellings due to inconsistent transliteration. See also related surnames derived from the same root.