Surname Soudan - Meaning and Origin
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Soudan: What does the surname Soudan mean?
The last name Soudan is of French origin. It is thought to come from the Latin word “sudan”, meaning “belonging to the south” or “from the south”. This origin could relate to various historical events, such as the movements of Spanish families from the south of France to the north or vice versa, or as a surname carried by those who lived in the south of France.
The Soudan surname could also originate from the Burgundian tradition of giving names to people based on their geographical characteristics. In this regard, “Soudan” could signify those who come from or belong to the south of France.
Today, the Soudan surname is found in many French-speaking countries, particularly within the continent of Africa. This could be a testament to the movement of people between the African continent and the French-speaking regions of the world over the centuries.
It is also possible that the Soudan surname is derived from a place name, such as the city of Soudan, located in the North of France. One of the oldest documents discovered that mentions a person by the surname of Soudan comes from the archives of this city.
Overall, the exact origin of the Soudan surname is difficult to pinpoint due to the evolution of surnames over many centuries and the multiple possibilities of interpretation. It is, however, thought to signify belonging to the south or come from the south.
Order DNA origin analysisSoudan: Where does the name Soudan come from?
The last name Soudan is most commonly found in the West African region, particularly in its Francophone nations. In French-speaking nations such as Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea, and Togo, it is quite common. It is also found in countries like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, though to a slightly lesser extent.
In France, "Soudan" is rarely seen, however, it may be found among French citizens of West African descent. Many other French speakers living in the United States of America may also bear this last name, as a result of their African ancestry.
The word Soudan is of Arabic origin, and the literal translation is "black". In West Africa, people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds have adopted the name. Today, many Christians, Muslims, and those of traditional African religions bear it. It is not a markedly religious name, but rather is more associated with African cultures and heritage than with any particular faith.
Soudan is also a popular name for places in West Africa. For example, there is a district in Senegal called Soudan, as well as a village in Niger and a region in Ghana named Savelugu-NananConsiderations District, also containing the word Soudan. In addition, there is a village in Togo called Soudan-Krinjabo.
Variations of the surname Soudan
The surname Soudan has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of the most common variants include Soudain, Soudaine, Sudain, Sudaine, and Sudayne.
Other spellings of this name include Sudane, Soudean, Souden, Soudin, and Soudayn. The variant Sudain is likely to have originated in Normandy, while the variant Soudin is thought to have origins in the North West of France.
The French surname Soudan is especially common in the department of Ille-et-Vilaine and is also found in parts of Brittany.
The surname Sudan can be found in the Netherlands, where its Anglicized variant Soudan is also quite common. The Dutch version of this name is spelled Soudenaer, and it is thought to have originated as a topographic name meaning ‘one from the south’.
In the United States, Soudan is sometimes found spelled as Sounden, which is likely to be an Americanized version of the same name.
Other surnames of the same origin include Soudant, Soudey, Soudiere, Sudene, Sudent, and Suydan. Some spellings of this name may have been merged with surnames like Toudain and Torouden.
The latest findings regarding the origin of the Soudan surname indicate that French variants of the name are likely to be of Belgian origin, while Dutch and American variants of the surname may be of Dutch origin.
Famous people with the name Soudan
- Amel Soudan: Algerian-French singer
- Lenny Kurlou Soudane: Ivorian footballer
- Abdoulaye Soudane: former Minister of Petroleum, Communication, Transport and Tourism in Burkina Faso
- Moussa Soudane: Ivorian footballer
- Robert Soudan: French former professional swimmer
- Mario Soudan: Tunisian former footballer
- Emmanuel Soudan: professional French swimmer
- Joseph Soudan: former Prime Minister of the Central African Republic
- Frédéric Soudan: French municipal councilor in the Bruyères district of Versailles
- Pierrick Soudan: French rugby union footballer