# Semaan

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{{Infobox Given Name Revised|name=Semaan|pronunciation={{ubl|{{IPA|syc|ʃɛmʕon|lang}}, {{IPA|ar|sim.ʕaːn|lang}}, {{IPA|heb|ʃimˈ(ʔ)on|lang}}}}|gender=Masculine|meaning=the one who hears or listens|origin=|alternative spelling=Sem'an, Semán, Simaan, Sim'an, Samaan, Sam'an, Sima'an|nickname=|variant forms=[Simon](/source/Simon_(given_name)), [Simeon](/source/Simeon), [Shimon](/source/Shimon), [Shimun](/source/Shimun)}}

'''Semaan''' ({{Langx|syr|ܫܡܥܘܢ|Šemʿōn}} {{Langx|ar|سمعان|Semʻān}}), also spelled '''Sem'an''', '''Semán''', '''Simaan''', '''Sim'an''', '''Samaan''', '''Sam'an''', or '''Sima'an''', is a [masculine given name](/source/masculine_given_name) mainly found in the [Levant](/source/Levant) of [West Asia](/source/West_Asia). It can also be used as a surname. The name is derived from the Semitic root word/verb ''sema'' or ''[shema](/source/shema)'', which means “to hear”; thus, the meaning of ''Semaan'' becomes “the one who hears or listens” in both [Syriac](/source/Syriac_language) and [Arabic](/source/Arabic). 

The name's equivalent in [Hebrew](/source/Hebrew_language) is ''[Shimon](/source/Shimon_(disambiguation))'' or ''[Shim'on](/source/Shim'on)'' ({{Langx|heb|שִׁמְעוֹן‎}}), which also has the same meaning. The Hebrew form is also the origin for the Arabic name, of which its use as a surname is common in [Saudi Arabia](/source/Saudi_Arabia). The [Greek](/source/Greek_language) [transliteration](/source/transliteration) is Simon ({{Langx|el|Σιμων}}) or Symeon ({{Langx|el|Συμεών}}), and when Latinized, it becomes ''[Simon](/source/Simon_(given_name))'' or ''[Simeon](/source/Simeon)''.

Today, the overwhelming majority of people who hold the Semaan surname are [Middle Eastern Christians](/source/Christianity_in_the_Middle_East) who belong to various churches of the [Syriac rites of Christianity](/source/Syriac_Christianity), as well as the [Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch](/source/Greek_Orthodox_Church_of_Antioch), Syro Malabar Catholic Church, the [Melkite Greek Catholic Church](/source/Melkite_Greek_Catholic_Church) of Antioch, the [Assyrian Church of the East](/source/Assyrian_Church_of_the_East), and the [Coptic Orthodox Church](/source/Coptic_Orthodox_Church). The ethnic origin of Semaan families varies by geographic location, most prevalent of which is [Greek](/source/Greeks)-[Syrian](/source/Syrian), descendants of the [Byzantine Greek](/source/Byzantine_Greeks) ([Rûm](/source/R%C3%BBm)) population of the [Syrian tetrapolis](/source/Syrian_tetrapolis) ([Antioch](/source/Antioch), [Seleucia Pieria](/source/Seleucia_Pieria), [Apamea](/source/Apamea_(Syria)), and [Laodicea](/source/Latakia)).

==Origins and History of Semaan Families==
===Semaans of Antioch and Syria===
The Semaans of [Antioch](/source/Antioch) and [Syria](/source/Syria) have roots that can be traced back to the early days of Christianity, to 1st century Antioch and Damascus. As [Luke the Evangelist](/source/Luke_the_Evangelist), a native of Antioch, writes in [Acts of the Apostles](/source/Acts_of_the_Apostles), "the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch" (Acts 11:26). Although the majority of Semaans of Syria is of [Greek](/source/Greeks)-[Syrian](/source/Syrian) and [Syriac](/source/Aramaean_identity) ([Aramaean](/source/Aramaean)) origin and known to have come from the north of Syria (Antioch area), however, a very small minority of [Ghassanid](/source/Ghassanid) Christian Arab descent (from the 3rd century) reside in the southern part ([Hauran](/source/Hauran) area).<ref>{{cite book |title=Elias J., The Guide to Levantine Families, p. 89}}</ref>

Some Semaans of Antioch claim descent from [Saint Peter](/source/Saint_Peter) ([Heb](/source/Hebrew_language): Shimeon Kefa, [Syr](/source/Syriac_language): Semaan [Kefa](/source/Kefa), [Grk](/source/Greek_language): Symeon Kephas, [Eng](/source/English_language): Simon Peter), the preeminent disciple of [Christ](/source/Christ). The story is based on oral tradition that claims that Saint Peter, avoiding persecution in his homeland, left his family with the [Hellenized](/source/Hellenization) [Jewish](/source/Jewish) community of Antioch during his seven-year stay in the city before his travel to [Rome](/source/Rome).<ref>{{cite book |title=Downey G., A History of Antioch in Syria: From Seleucus to the Arab Conquest, pp. 583–586}}</ref> Some others claim that they're related to [Saint Simeon Stylites](/source/Saint_Simeon_Stylites), a popular [ascetic](/source/ascetic) Syrian saint during the [Byzantine Empire](/source/Byzantine_Empire).<ref>{{cite book |title=Hanna T., Biographies of Syria's Saints, pp. 213–215}}</ref>

[Antioch](/source/Antioch)’s history of continuous falls and captures by [Arabs](/source/Arabs), [Seljuk Turks](/source/Seljuk_Turks), [Crusaders](/source/Crusaders), and [Mamluk Turks](/source/Mamluks) led to many Semaans fleeing their native city to neighboring areas in Syria and Lebanon. In 1939, [Turkey](/source/Turkey) annexed the [Hatay province](/source/Hatay_province), which includes [Antakya](/source/Antakya) ([Antioch](/source/Antioch)), after Syria had control over the territory since the end of [World War I](/source/World_War_I).

Today, the Semaans of Syria are scattered throughout, and they live in cities such as [Latakia](/source/Latakia) ([Laodiceia](/source/Latakia)), [Homs](/source/Homs) ([Emesa](/source/Emesa)), [Aleppo](/source/Aleppo), and [Damascus](/source/Damascus).

===Semaans of Lebanon===
The Semaans of [Lebanon](/source/Lebanon) can be broken down into four categories:

* Semaans of South Lebanon are a mix of [Galilean](/source/Galilean) Christians of [Israel](/source/Israel) from the 1st century ([Marjayoun](/source/Marjayoun) area) as well as [Greek](/source/Greece)-[Phoenicia](/source/Phoenicia)n ([Canaan](/source/Canaan)ite) Christians of the 2nd century ([Sidon](/source/Sidon) area).<ref>{{cite book |title=Youhanna E., History of the Greek Melkite Catholic Diocese of Saida and Deir El Kamar. pp. 155-159}}</ref> Many Semaan families have immigrated to Western nations and [South America](/source/South_America).
* Semaans of East Lebanon ([Bekaa Valley](/source/Bekaa_Valley)) are part of the [Greek](/source/Greeks)-[Syrian](/source/Syrian) Semaans of Antioch and Syria (1st century Antioch) who escaped religious persecution in Syria, especially during the [Ottoman Empire](/source/Ottoman_Empire) and the repercussions of the 18th century split of the [Melkite Greek Catholic](/source/Melkite_Greek_Catholic)s from the [Greek Orthodox Church of Antioch](/source/Greek_Orthodox_Church_of_Antioch).<ref>{{cite book |title=Haddad A., Origins of the Melkite Catholics of Zahle. p. 76}}</ref> They now live in the Bekaa region ([Zahlé](/source/Zahl%C3%A9) area), [Beirut](/source/Beirut), [Mount Lebanon](/source/Mount_Lebanon), and around the world.
* Semaans of [Byblos](/source/Byblos) are of [Greek](/source/Greece)-[Phoenicia](/source/Phoenicia)n ([Canaan](/source/Canaan)ite) origin of the 1st century.<ref>{{cite book |title=Jabr S., [Byblos](/source/Byblos)'s Maronites During and After the Ottoman Empire, pp. 52-54}}</ref>
* Semaans of North Lebanon ([Kaftoun](/source/Kaftoun), [Koura](/source/Koura_District)) are of [Ghassanid](/source/Ghassanid) Christian Arab heritage settling first in the southern part of Syria (3rd century)<ref>{{cite web |title=Semaan of Kaftoun |url=http://www.kaftoun.com/component/content/article/186-articles/319-origin-of-the-semaan-family}}</ref> before taking refuge in the mountains of Lebanon (7-8th century).

===Semaans of Israel/Palestine===
The Semaans of [Israel](/source/Israel)/[Palestine](/source/Palestine_(region)) can be broken down geographically as follows:

* Semaans of Beit Lahem ([Bethlehem](/source/Bethlehem)) are early [Galilean](/source/Galilean) Christians from the 1st century who, at one point in time, lived in the villages of [Galilee](/source/Galilee), before settling in Bethlehem in the 9th century. There are very few left in Bethlehem today, as most have emigrated, mainly to [Venezuela](/source/Venezuela) and [Honduras](/source/Honduras).<ref>{{cite web |title=Palestine-Family.net; Semaan Genealogy |url=http://www.palestine-family.net/index.php?nav=9&cid=85&selLet=18&selName=1701|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906061525/http://www.palestine-family.net/index.php?nav=9&cid=85&selLet=18&selName=1701|url-status=usurped|archive-date=September 6, 2012}}</ref>
* Simaans of [Haifa](/source/Haifa), [Akko](/source/Akko) (Acre), [Nazareth](/source/Nazareth), and the rest of [Galilee](/source/Galilee) are mostly Galilean Christians from the 1st century.<ref>{{cite book |title=Avi-Yonah M., The Holy Land from the Persians to the Arab Conquests, pp. 73-76}}</ref> The majority has immigrated to [Lebanon](/source/Lebanon), [Australia](/source/Australia), and the [United States](/source/United_States).<ref>{{cite web |title=Semaans of Suhmata of Galilee |url=http://www.suhmata.com/articles_en_1.php}}</ref>
* Semaans of Urashalim ([Jerusalem](/source/Jerusalem)) are mainly descendants of 1st century [Galilean](/source/Galilean) Christians who belong to the [Syriac Orthodox Church](/source/Syriac_Orthodox_Church) of Jerusalem. Only a few remain as the majority has immigrated to the [United States](/source/United_States) and [Canada](/source/Canada) or moved to Jordan.

===Semaans of Iraq===
The Semaans of [Iraq](/source/Iraq) ([Mesopotamia](/source/Mesopotamia)) are mainly [Assyrians](/source/Assyrian_people) from [Mosul](/source/Mosul) and [Tel Keppe](/source/Tel_Keppe), in the north of Iraq, who can trace their ancestry back to the 2nd century. Today, most Semaans of Mosul and Iraq have left, especially after the American-led [2003 invasion of Iraq](/source/2003_invasion_of_Iraq) and the ensuing anti-Christian backlash, to places such as [Lebanon](/source/Lebanon), [Sweden](/source/Sweden), and the [United States](/source/United_States).<ref>{{cite web |title=Catholics rebuild churches in Iraq despite ongoing violence |url=https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/2551/catholics-rebuild-churches-in-iraq-despite-ongoing-violence}}</ref>

===Semaans of Egypt===
The Semaans of [Egypt](/source/Egypt) are [Copts](/source/Copts) and [Greek](/source/Greeks)-[Egyptian](/source/Egyptians) Christians from [Alexandria](/source/Alexandria), [Aswan](/source/Aswan), and [Cairo](/source/Cairo). Some can trace their ancestry to 1st century Alexandria, and the establishment of Christianity there by [Saint Mark](/source/Saint_Mark). Today, many Semaans have also immigrated to Western countries.<ref>{{cite web |title=Saint Samaan Monastery, Muqattam Cairo |url=http://www.exceltrvl.net/article/Egypt/places/samaan.htm}}</ref>

==Notable people==
===Surname===
*[Alees Samaan](/source/Alees_Samaan), Bahraini politician and ambassador
*[Alice Semaan](/source/Alees_Samaan), first Christian female parliamentarian in Bahrain
*[Angele Botros Samaan](/source/Angele_Botros_Samaan) (1923–2011), Egyptian academic and translator
*[Anthony Semaan](/source/Anthony_Semaan), co-founder of Beirut Jam Sessions
*[Arkan Simaan](/source/Arkan_Simaan) (born 1945), Lebanese-French novelist
*[Céline Semaan Vernon](/source/C%C3%A9line_Semaan_Vernon) (born 1982), Lebanese fashion designer
*[Mollie Marcoux Samaan](/source/Mollie_Marcoux_Samaan), American athletics administrator
*[Myrna T. Semaan](/source/Myrna_T._Semaan) (born 1968), Lebanese botanist
*[Nathanael Semaan](/source/Nathanael_Semaan) (born 1965), Iraqi Syriac Catholic archbishop
*[Yaacoub Semaan](/source/Yaacoub_Semaan) (born 1980), Lebanese-born Syriac Catholic bishop in Jerusalem
*[Youhannan Semaan Issayi](/source/Youhannan_Semaan_Issayi), Archbishop of Tehran of the Chaldean Catholics

===Given name===
*[Semaan Bassil](/source/Semaan_Bassil) (born 1965), Lebanese banker
*[Simaan AbouRizk](/source/Simaan_AbouRizk), Canadian engineer

==See also==
* [Simon](/source/Simon_(given_name))
* [Simon Peter](/source/Simon_Peter) (''Semaan Boutros'')
* [Simon the Zealot](/source/Simon_the_Zealot) (''Semaan l-Ghayour'')
* [Simeon the Elder](/source/Simeon_Stylites) (''Semaan l-Shaykh'')
* [Simeon of Jerusalem](/source/Simeon_of_Jerusalem) (''Semaan l-Urashalimi'')
* [Simon of Cyrene](/source/Simon_of_Cyrene) (''Semaan l-Qayrawani'')
* [Simon Magus](/source/Simon_Magus) (''Semaan l-Saḥer'')
* [Simeon Stylites](/source/Simeon_Stylites) (''Semaan l-Aamoudi'')
* [Simeon Stylites the Younger](/source/Simeon_Stylites_the_Younger) (''Semaan l-Aamoudi l-Asghar'')
* [Simeon Stylites III](/source/Simeon_Stylites_III) (''Semaan l-Aamoudi l-Thalith'')
* [Simeon the Holy Fool](/source/Simeon_the_Holy_Fool) (''Semaan l-Majnoun'')
* [Simon the Tanner](/source/Simon_the_Tanner) (''Semaan l-Dabbagh'')
* [Simeon Seth](/source/Simeon_Seth) (''Semaan Sheyth'')
* [Assemani](/source/Assemani) (''As-Semaani''), a prominent "Simeonite" family of Lebanese [Maronites](/source/Maronites) from the 18th century, publishers at the [Vatican Library](/source/Vatican_Library)
* [Jabal Semaan, Syria](/source/Jabal_Sam'an), ''Mount Simeon'' district in northern Syria, home to [Eastern Mediterranean](/source/Eastern_Mediterranean)'s most populous city, [Aleppo](/source/Aleppo)
* [Deir Semaan](/source/Church_of_Saint_Simeon_Stylites), St. Simeon's monastery, one of the world's oldest churches and the oldest surviving Byzantine church

==References==
{{Reflist}}{{Wiktionary|Semaan|سمعان|ܫܡܥܘܢ}}{{given name|type=both}}

Category:Lebanese families
Category:Arabic-language surnames
Category:Christian families
Category:Arabic-language masculine given names
Category:Masculine given names
Category:Given names
Category:Surnames

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Semaan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semaan) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semaan?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.