Unveiling Meaning and Cultural Context: A Socio-Semantic Analysis of Surnames in Jordan

In light of the limited number of studies conducted on surnames in Jordan, this paper aims to highlight the ways in which Jordanian surnames carry cultural implications and semantic elements. It also intends to determine their meanings and what they stand for. Furthermore, the study focuses on the relationship between these surnames and why they were chosen. Nearly 70 Jordanian family members, key members of their families, leading figures, tribal chiefs, and previous members of the House of Representatives were interviewed, with a sample of 39 chosen on purpose. The findings indicated that surnames in Jordan can be divided into local surnames, occupational, anecdotal, patronymic, seasonal, regional, and surnames derived from nicknames. Furthermore, the findings showed that Jordanian surnames are inextricably linked to the culture and values that individuals hold, supporting the need to examine surnames in the context of society (Bonvillain, 2019; Kandt & Longley, 2018; Hymes, 2001).