Alvi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Alvi (also written Alavi) is a variation of spelling of (Arabic: علوي) signifies ancestry from Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (Arabic: علي بن أﺑﻲ طالب), the fourth Caliph of Islam through his son Hazrat Muhammad bin Hanafiyah from Hazrat Ali's wife Khaula al Hanafiyah. The Alvi spelling is often used by people in Indo-Pak subcontinent, though a more prevalent spelling is Alavi (q.v.) in India, Iran and Pakistan. Other variations such as Alawi, Alwi are also found in some Middle Eastern countries.

Those with this surname, under historical context, have been among the social elite and are leaders in their respective communities.