Surname Argov (ארגב)

[RC Klein]

Does anybody have information for me about the surname Argov? It seems to be derived from a word/name in this week's Parashah (Deut. 3), and I've come across it as a Yemenite Jewish family name. Is it an old Yemenite name, or is it just an Israelization of a different name? Was this name used in any other communities?

Shalom & Kol Tuv,

Reuven Chaim Klein

Beitar Illit, Israel

Author of: God versus Gods & Lashon HaKodesh

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[Alexandre Beider]

Hello,

There are at least two independent branches:

(1) from eastern Belorussia:

In my book "A Dictionary of Jewish Surnames from the Russian Empire" (2008, 2nd ed.), the following entry is present:

Argov (Orsha, Khar'kov) from the biblical geographic area אַרְגֹּב (Deuteronomy 3:4, 14; 1 Kings 4:13; 2 Kings 15:25).

In eastern Belorussia, numerous families received their names (most likely, from local kahal administration) at the beginning of the 19th century taking various biblical quotes (including names of male personages and toponyms, or even "tribes" = descendants of one man: Gazarkhi (ha-Zarhi), Gamusin (ha-Mushi) etc.

(2) from Yemen in Israel.

In his book "The names of Yemenite Jewry" (2017, p. 376), Aaron Gaimani indicates the following name change in Israel: from original Yemenite 'ûrqabi to Argov.

Best,

   Alexander Beider

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