Surname Callejas - Meaning and Origin
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Callejas: What does the surname Callejas mean?
Callejas (sometimes spelled Calles) is a Spanish surname that can be traced back to the region of Cantabria in the North of Spain.
The etymology of the name comes from the Latin 'calicem' meaning 'chapel' or 'small church.' This is reflected in the name of places such as Callejón de los Templos, which translates to 'Alley of the Temples.'
Given the origins of the surname, it is likely that those bearing the name Callejas have family ties to the Christian religion and may have a connection to the clergy.
The name itself is frequently found across Spain, but is especially common in the cities of Xàtiva, Málaga, Vigo, Barcelona, Almería, Burgos, and Navarra.
Callejas is a surname that carries symbolism associated with faith and tradition. It is a reminder of a strong connection with the past and the importance of a sense of community in a culture that has evolved so much over the years.
Order DNA origin analysisCallejas: Where does the name Callejas come from?
The last name Callejas is most commonly found in Latin American countries. In particular, it is widespread in countries like Colombia, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. It is also found in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica to a lesser extent. According to the Institute of Ethnic Studies at the University of Costa Rica, the surname Callejas has its origin in the Spanish and Portuguese surnames of the Medieval period.
In 2016, the last name Callejas was the 38th most common last name in Colombia. There is also a significant number of people with this last name living in the US and Spain. In the US, it is mainly found in cities that have a sizable population of Latin Americans, such as Miami and Los Angeles. In Spain, it is mainly found in cities like Madrid and Barcelona.
The coat of arms of the last name Callejas originated in the early 16th century in the ancient kingdom of Castille, Spain. It consists of a shield divided in four, with a black lion in the upper left, a green plant in the upper right, an eight-pointed star in the lower left, and a white castle in the lower right. It was subsequently adopted and used by members of the Callejas family from the 16th century onwards.
Today, the last name Callejas is associated with people of Spanish and Portuguese descent who have spread across Latin America and can be found in significant numbers within the US, Spain, Colombia, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Costa Rica.
Variations of the surname Callejas
The surname Callejas is one of the most widespread surnames throughout the Spanish-speaking world. It is derived from the Spanish–(French) word caillou, which means “little stone” or “pebble”. Its variants and spellings include Calles, Calés, Cailloux, Calles-Cardona, Callet, Calle, and Callejón.
In Germany, Callejas sometimes appears as Kalleras, Kallerhas, and Kallerhaz, while in Portugal it appears as Calhaz. The name can also appear as Calles in Spain, while at the same time Calle in other Latin-American countries such as Argentina and Mexico.
In the United States alone, the surname can be spelled as Callejas, Calle, Calles, Calles-Cardona, Cailloux, and Calhaz. It is commonly found in the Southwest and in California, where it was introduced by immigrants from Mexico and Latin-America.
In Mexico, Calles Cardona, Calles and Calle are among the most common variants while in Bolivia and Paraguay, some families have adopted the spelling of Kalleras. The Callejón spin-off of the surname is used mostly in Chile and Uruguay.
In Colombia, the main variant for Callejas is Calés, a very common name in the region, while in Peru and Venezuela it is spelled Calles. While in the Dominican Republic, it is commonly seen as Calle.
To summarize, in the Spanish-speaking world, Callejás and its variants, spellings, and surnames are Calle, Calles, Calés, Cailloux, Calles-Cardona, Callet, Callejón, Kalleras, Kallerhas, Kallerhaz, and Calhaz.
Famous people with the name Callejas
- Jaime Callejas, former Spanish politician, former Minister of Interior and Sports
- Roberto Callejas, former media executive in Guatemala
- Edwin Callejas, Honduran association football player
- Marcos Callejas, former president of the Uruguayan Football Association
- Juan Callejas, former Spanish politician, former Mayor of Granada
- Ronaldo Callejas, former president of the Honduran Football Association
- María Callejas, Spanish business executive
- Jose Callejas, Chilean poet
- Francisco Callejas, Guatemalan business executive
- Luis Callejas, Dutch-born Chilean architect and academic