Surname Acala - Meaning and Origin
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Acala: What does the surname Acala mean?
The last name Acala is a patronymic surname of Spanish derivation that descends from the Greek name Akakios. The origin of this name can be traced back to the ancient Greek word for ‘innocent’ or ‘innocence’. The most likely meaning of the name is ‘unblemished’ and it is thought that the name was adopted by families who had admirable reputations or achieved success in times of strife and unrest.
In modern times, the surname Acala is found mostly throughout Latin America, particularly in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. It is thought that the surname was brought to Latin America by Spanish colonists during the 16th century. There are also records of people by the name of Acala living in the United States and other countries.
The meaning of the name itself can be seen as an educational insight into some of the values and attitudes of the people bearing it. The idea of being unblemished or of having an honest reputation is still of great importance to many and values such as these are passed down through generations of families. These families often feel a sense of pride and connection to their culture in knowing that their surname reflects respect and respectability.
Order DNA origin analysisAcala: Where does the name Acala come from?
The surname Acala can be found today in many different parts of the world. It is most common in Mexico where it originated. It is also found in parts of South America particularly in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. In Europe, it can be found most commonly Italy, Portugal, and Spain. The surname is also found in the United States particularly in California, Texas and Illinois.
The surname Acala is thought to have its roots in the Spanish language with its meaning of “gathering” or “place of reunion”. It is also thought to be derived from the Latin Acalas which was derived from the words acalari or “near” and calor or “heat”.
In Mexico, the surname Acala is quite common and has been present in the country since its settlement. It is especially common in the states of Jalisco and Michoacan. It is also found in Central American countries such as Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.
Beyond Mexico and Central America, the surname can be found in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It has also been documented in Japan, Thailand, and other parts of Asia.
Overall, the surname Acala is quite common and found in many parts of the world. It is also a surname with a long history and varied roots tracing back to the Latin, Spanish, and other regional languages.
Variations of the surname Acala
The surname Acala has a number of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Akala, Akalay, Acalay, Akalla, Aquala, Aqualay, Aqualla, Aacalay, Aacalla, Aakalay, Aakalla, Iacalay, Iacalla, Iakalay, Iakalla, Ekala, Ekalay, Ekkala, Ekkalay, Ekalla, Aquaelay, Aquelay, Aeacalay, and Aeacalla.
The variants for Acala have multiple origins and meanings. In some cases, the surname is derived from the Basque word 'akala' which means 'ridge' or 'escarpment'. In other cases, the origin of the surname comes from the Latin word ‘acalas’ which translates to 'stoneworker' or 'mason'. The surname may also derive from the Russian word 'akala', meaning ‘thorn' or 'spike'.
It is also possible to trace the Acala surname back to Old Norse, where the word ‘akallr’ was derived from the word 'akal' which meant 'unfriendly'. In some cases, the meaning of the name Acala has been associated with 'projecting cliffside' or 'rugged terrain'.
The various spellings of Acala have been found in different parts of the world. The surname is especially common in Spain and Portugal, and some variations such as Iacalay and Iacalla are likely of Jewish origin. In Eastern Europe, variants such as Ekala and Ekalay are quite popular. In addition, variants of the surname are found in the Philippines, where variants such as Aquala and Aqualay are prevalent.
Famous people with the name Acala
- John Acala: renowned Filipino swimmer, athlete and filmmaker.
- Agnes Acala: Filipino television and film actress.
- Catherine Acala: former Filipino beauty pageant titleholder, Miss World Philippines 2012.
- Jomari Yllana: Filipino actor, singer and former basketball player. He adopted the last name Acala when his father Jefferson Yllana married Rhoda Acala.
- Paolo Acala: Filipino basketball player for the Pasig Pirates in the ABL (Asean Basketball League).
- Herminia Acala: Filipino actress and singer.
- Jonathan Acala: Filipino television and film actor.
- Peter Acala: Filipino actor, model and entrepreneur.
- Sol Acala: Filipino singer and songwriter.
- Romano Acala: Filipino singer, musician and songwriter.