Surname Calleja - Meaning and Origin
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Calleja: What does the surname Calleja mean?
The surname Calleja (also spelled Calleia or Calleya) is of Hispanic origin and is derived from the Spanish adjective callejo, which means "path" or "narrow street". It was a common toponymic name given to a person who lived near or on a path or narrow street. The surname may have first appeared in late medieval Spain, around the 12th century A.D.
Over time, the surname has spread throughout the Iberian peninsula and into Latin America. In the United States, the Calleja family first arrived in the early 19th century in New Orleans, Louisiana from Spain. Since then, the family has moved to various parts of the country, and is now especially prominent on the east coast in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York.
The Calleja family is considered to be one of the oldest among Spanish-speaking families in America. The renowned author and poet Lydia Cabrera hailed from the Calleja family and she wrote extensively about the Afro-Cuban culture of Cuba.
The surname Calleja is still commonly found throughout the Spanish-speaking world due to its early appearance in history. It is an honoured surname in Hispanic culture and many variations of the name abound, including Calleya, Calleia, Calleo, and Calleyo. Throughout history, the Calleja family has produced many notable figures including intellectuals, politicians, businesspeople, and soldiers.
Order DNA origin analysisCalleja: Where does the name Calleja come from?
The last name Calleja is most commonly associated with Spain and its historic kingdom of Castile. It is one of the most popular last names in the country and is found in cities and towns across the country from Burgos to Tenerife to Madrid. It is also quite common in Latin American countries especially Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Central and South America. The name is derived from the Latin word for “street” and so has been associated with people who lived along the streets or thoroughfares of a city or town. It can also refer to someone who has been born in a particular place or region. The presence of this last name reflects the long history of Castile and its historical influence in the region today.
Calleja is also found in some countries of Europe including the UK, France, Italy, and Switzerland. It has even been found in Portugal, Croatia, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. Outside of Europe, the name is still quite common in some parts of Africa and the Middle East. The origin of the name is believed to be from the Kingdom of Castile and has been passed down from generation to generation. With its many forms and variants, it is a popular last name in many different countries worldwide.
Variations of the surname Calleja
The surname Calleja has several variants and spellings depending on the region it is found in. In Spain, variants include Callejas and La Calleja. It is also seen as Kalleji, Kallejai, Kallejos, Kallejero, Kallejera, and Kallejero in parts of the Caribbean. In the United States, Calleja is sometimes anglicized to Calley, Callie, Calli, and Calli. In the Philippines, variants of Calleja include Karlejai, Karlejas, Karley, Kallejas, and Kallejas.
In addition to different spellings, the surname Calleja can also be found in various surnames of the same origin. In Spain, the surnames Callejon, Callister, Callizolea, Callizo, Calletano, Calletas, Callay, Caley, Calmes, and Calallero can all be traced back to Calleja. In Portugal, Calleja is found in the surnames Varoli, Varella, Varela, and Varelo. In the US, variants include Calley, Calli, Callie, and Calli. In the Caribbean, Calleja variants can be found in the surnames Kallejero, Kallejera, Kalleji, and Kallejos.
Overall, the surname Calleja has many variants and spellings depending on the region of origin. It can also be found in various surnames of the same origin throughout Spain, Portugal, the US, and the Caribbean.
Famous people with the name Calleja
- Leon Calleja: Floridian lawyer and former mayor of Sunny Isles Beach
- Danny Calleja: Spanish independent musician, songwriter and producer
- Claudia Calleja: Maltese artist who works mainly in semi abstract abstract painting
- Augusto Calleja: Puerto Rican actor, writer, director, and producer
- Laia Calleja: Spanish actress and model
- Jimmy Calleja: Australian Wallabies rugby player
- Cristian Calleja: Maltese football player
- Rubén Calleja: Spanish racing cyclist
- Porfirio Calleja: American professional football coach
- Michael Calleja: Maltese sculptor, guided by a concrete art format