alAyyubi

Al-Ayyubi is an Arabic nisba meaning “of Ayyub” or “descendant of Ayyub.” It denotes affiliation with the Ayyubid family and is used as a surname or honorific by people who claim descent from or association with the Ayyubid lineage.

Historically, the Ayyubids refer to a medieval Muslim dynasty founded by Salah ad-Din Yusuf ibn Ayyub, known in the West as Saladin, in the late 12th century. The dynasty arose in the context of the Crusades and established rule over Egypt and much of Syria, with branches that governed in other parts of the Levant. The Ayyubids were influential in the Islamic world during the late 12th and early 13th centuries, controlling key cities and institutions. Over time, the dynasty gradually declined as regional power shifted to rival dynasties and the Mamluks, leading to the fragmentation of Ayyubid authority by the mid-13th century in many areas.

In modern usage, al-Ayyubi is a common surname or nisba seen among Arabs and in the diaspora. It is used by individuals who wish to signal historical or genealogical connections to the Ayyubid realm or to honor the legacy of Saladin and his lineage. Variants of the name include al-Ayyoubi and al-Ayoubi, reflecting transliteration differences from Arabic.

The name remains culturally and historically associated with the Ayyubid period, and it appears in historical writing, genealogy, and contemporary names across the Middle East and beyond.