andal

Andal is a term that can refer to more than one topic. In historical contexts, Andal is often encountered as a shortened form or transliteration related to Al-Andalus, the medieval Islamic territory on the Iberian Peninsula. The area under Muslim rule evolved through various political configurations from about 711 to 1492, and at different times included much of what is now Spain and Portugal. Al-Andalus served as a cultural and scientific hub in the early medieval period, with major urban centers such as Córdoba, Seville, and Granada playing influential roles. The name Al-Andalus is the Arabic designation for the region, and in English the related forms Andalusia and Andalus are used in modern references and place names.

As a personal name, Andal appears in some cultures, notably within Turkic-language communities such as Turkish and Azerbaijani contexts, where it can be a given name. It may also occur as a surname in various regions. The meaning and connotations of the name can vary by language and local naming traditions, and are not fixed across cultures.

In contemporary usage, the standalone word Andal is uncommon in English outside of these historical or onomastic contexts, and its intended sense is usually inferred from surrounding text. Related terms that readers may encounter include Al-Andalus and Andalusia.