alrijal

Alrijal is a family name and geographical designation of limited distribution primarily in South‑East Asia and parts of Europe. As a surname, Alrijal is of Arabic‑influenced origin, derived from the element “al‑” meaning “the” and a root related to “rijal”, which in Arabic denotes “men” or “gentlemen”. The name entered the onomastic record in the late 19th century, appearing in immigration documents of families moving from the Levant to the Netherlands and later to former Dutch colonies. Contemporary demographic data indicate that the surname is most frequently found in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Indonesia, with smaller occurrences in France and the United Kingdom.

Geographically, Alrijal designates a small rural settlement located in the coastal district of West Java, Indonesia. The village lies at the foot of the Cipetir mountain range, approximately 45 kilometres northwest of the provincial capital, Bandung. According to the 2020 census, Alrijal’s population numbered 2,834 inhabitants, the majority of whom engage in agriculture, particularly rice cultivation and vegetable farming. The local economy also benefits from small‑scale fishing activities given the village’s proximity to the Java Sea.

Historically, the settlement was established in the early 20th century by a group of mixed‑heritage families bearing the Alrijal surname, who migrated from Java’s inland highlands in search of arable land. The community retained elements of its founders’ cultural heritage, reflected in traditional architecture and annual festivals that blend Sundanese customs with Christian and Muslim observances.

Today, Alrijal is noted for its community‑driven development initiatives, including a cooperative that supplies organic produce to nearby urban markets. The village also hosts a modest primary school and a health clinic that serve the surrounding rural population. Though small, Alrijal exemplifies the cultural and demographic diversity characteristic of Indonesia’s many localized settlements.