Surname Calis - Meaning and Origin
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Calis: What does the surname Calis mean?
The last name Calis is a patronymic surname, deriving from “kal”, the old Turkish word for “son of”. It is a name of Turkish origin, and is typically found among Turks and people of Turkish heritage.
The Calis surname comes from a large family of warriors, whose members settled in Serbia and Hungary. This family has a long history in these parts of Europe, which can be traced back to before the Ottoman Empire. It is a name steeped in a tradition of strength, honour and bravery. The name itself is derived from the Turkish word ‘kal’, which means ‘son of’. This makes sense when you consider that it was once a patronymic family name.
It is believed that the Calis family was originally from the Ottoman Empire. This may explain why members of the family have, over time, adopted the last name, as it was taken as a symbol of honour and pride. It is thought that the original Calis family may have settled in Serbia and Hungary in the early 16th century, and from there, the name spread to other parts of Europe.
The Calis surname now lives on in many countries. It is not uncommon to come across people with this surname in Turkey, and other parts of Europe. There is something special about knowing that you come from a long line of courageous warriors and patriots, and the Calis name stands as testament to that history.
Order DNA origin analysisCalis: Where does the name Calis come from?
The last name Calis is most commonly seen today in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Northern France. It could possibly also be found in other parts of Europe, especially in the region of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire.
In the Netherlands, the name is most common among its Dutch-speaking inhabitants. It has also been adopted among the Flemish-speaking communities in the North Netherlands. In the Belgian region of Flanders, the name is also widely used and is borne by Belgian-Flemish population.
In Luxembourg, the name is fairly common and is found among the population there. It is also found in Northern France, although its presence there is not as pronounced as elsewhere.
The last name Calis is believed to have first appeared in the 13th century in the Low Countries. It is a toponymic surname, referring to a place or area that someone has originated from. The name is derived from the Dutch word "keel" which means creek or inlet.
The Calis family can be traced to the Dutch provinces of Friesland and Groningen. It is speculated that some family members may have moved to the nearby regions of Germany, Poland, and Hungary.
Today, the last name Calis is found all around the world and is particularly popular in the countries of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is also sometimes spelled Kalis.
Variations of the surname Calis
The surname Calis is originally a Dutch or German surname, typically spelt Calis or Kallis. It may also occur as Kallish, Kalish, Kaalhus, Kallus, Kallusch, Kallies, Kalies, Calish, Kalish, Kalishus, Kallush, Kalluss, Caley, Kalus, Kalusch and Kal 4.
The Calis surname is thought to be derived from the middle Dutch word ‘kalle’ – which means ‘fair or handsome’ – and the suffix ‘is’ which was used to create patronymic surnames. Thus, the name essentially indicates that the original bearer was ‘fair and handsome’.
Over time, the patronymic became a formal surname, so many people with the Calis surname will have ancestors of Dutch or German origin. Variants of the Calis surname can be found around the world – in Australia, Canada, India, the United States, Mexico, the Netherlands, Sweden, Hungary and many other countries.
In some cases, the Calis surname has been adopted by Jews from Eastern Europe. The Kalis and Kallish spellings specifically are found in South Africa, Sweden and the United Kingdom – mostly carried by those with Jewish ancestry.
However, the Calis, Calisz, Kalis and Kallis spellings are most common in the Netherlands and still predominantly a Dutch name. The latter three spellings can also be associated with Polish, Lithuanian and Belarusian ancestry.
Many variant spellings of the Calis surname can be found in records dating back to the mid 1700s, used by immigrants from Holland and Germany.
Famous people with the name Calis
- Jack Calis: Dutch footballer who played for Ajax, Willem II, and De Graafschap.
- John Calis III: American actor best known for his roles in The Lung Guest, Arlington Road, The Street and The Frasier Experience.
- Nick Calis: professional American-based tennis player.
- Kristjan Calis: Dutch footballer who plays for Sparta Rotterdam.
- Stanley Calis: Canadian Olympic swimmer and professional water polo player who competed in the 1948 and 1952 Olympics.
- Jon Calis: British actor who is known for his roles in The Elephant Man and Little Britain.
- Robert Calis: American romantic novelist and screenwriter.
- Adam Calis: American professional wrestler who competed in the WWE.
- Zeynep Calis: Turkish singer and songwriter.
- Francisco Calis: Spanish artist and sculptor.
- Nigel Calis: British graphic designer and illustrator.
- Faith Calis: American artist and visual development artist.
- Casper Calis: Dutch professional BMX rider.
- Peter Calis: Dutch-Belgian cabaret artist.
- Roy Calis: Dutch DJ, songwriter, and producer.