Gilani

Gilani, Gillani, or Geelani (Persian/Urdu: گیلانی, Arabic: الجيلاني) is a toponymic surname and nisba meaning “From Gilan”, a historic region on the southern coast of the Caspian Sea. The name was originally used to identify people who’s geographic origin was Gilan. Over time, the surname also became associated with lineages part of the Hasanid family and claiming descent from Abdul Qadir Gilani, the Persian born islamic scholar. Abdul Qadir Gilani is known for being the founder and eponym of the Qadiriyya order of the mystical Sufi branch of Islam.

Variations of the surname include Kilani or Kailani (Arabic: الكيلاني), commonly used in the Arab world, and Jilani. The levantine Zoubi family also share the same lineage, as their ancestor Ahmad Ali Al Gilani was titled Al-Zoubi later in life. Members of the Gilani family can be found in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia.