Surname Cekala - Meaning and Origin

Cekala: What does the surname Cekala mean?

The last name Cekala is a Czech and Slovak surname. Its origin is likely derived from the word “cek,” meaning “small, petite” in the Czech and Slovak languages. The surname itself is likely derived from someone’s physical stature, as it indicated he was a “small one.” It is also possible the surname is derived from the Czech “cekal,” meaning a worker in a forge.

In modern times, the surname Cekala is most commonly found in the regions of Slovakia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Serbia, and the Czech Republic. It is also present in other parts of Europe, North America, and parts of Oceania, particularly among the descendants of Czech and Slovak immigrants.

The spelling of the last name Cekala is also variable. Variations can include Cechala, Cekál, Czékala, Cecala, Checkal, and Czecal.

The surname Cekala carries with it a long and proud history steeped in culture and tradition. The bearers of the surname today are the fortunate recipients of a storied past and carry a unique legacy that has been passed down from their forebears.

Cekala: Where does the name Cekala come from?

The last name Cekala is found throughout the world, but is most prevalent in countries of central and eastern European origin. Most people bearing the Cekala surname are likely to originate from Poland, Ukraine, Belarus and Russia.

The last name Cekala is derived from the Slavic name Cekal, which is likely derived from the word "tzekalyaty" meaning "to become thin, shrink or weaken". In some regions “Cekala” may also be found as variants ‘Ciekala’ or ‘Ciekalis’, though these are not as widely used.

In Poland, the name Cekala is most prominently found in the southwest region of the country near and around the cities of Krakow and Oswiecim. In the United States, the last name Cekala is most popular in the state of Pennsylvania, and is especially common among its large Polish population.

The last name Cekala is also relatively common in Canada, particularly among its Ukrainian population and in several regions of the United Kingdom. In Australia, the last name is typically found in areas around cities such as Melbourne and Sydney, where many Polish, Ukrainian and Russian immigrants have settled.

Given its highly spread-out presence, it is likely that many who carry the Cekala surname today are connected to each other several generations in the past. Nevertheless the Cekala name will remain a common sight throughout the world, and will continue to be a reminder of the presence of Poles, Ukrainians and other central and eastern European immigrants.

Variations of the surname Cekala

The surname Cekala is a variation of the Central European surname Cekal, and is most commonly found in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It is an occupational name derived from the Czech word "cechal", which means "a smith". The surname often has various spellings, such as Cekala, Czekala, Tsekal, Tzekala, Cekalla, Tzekalla, and Chikala.

In many cases, the spelling of the surname has been altered based on different regional language and dialect. For example, in some Czech dialects the "cz" sound is rendered as "c", while in other areas the "ch" or "ts" sounds are used instead. Similarly, several variants of the surname end in "lla", which is a common suffix in Central European names.

The surname Cekala is also sometimes considered to be a patronymic surname, based on the first name Cekal or its variants and derivatives Ceko, Czko, Chko, Tsekal, and Tzekal. However, there is no definitive evidence to support this.

There are also several variant and derived surnames related to Cekala, such as Czkalova and Tzekala. There are also variations of the surname found in other countries, such as Czekaj and Czkaj in Poland, Tsekalev in Ukraine, and Cikala in the United States.

Overall, the surname Cekala is derived from a common occupational name, and is found in various spellings in many Central European countries. It also has a variety of related and derived surnames which have been altered due to regional linguistic differences.

Famous people with the name Cekala

• Robert Cekala: American actor, best known for his appearances in various films and television series, such as The Sopranos, Law & Order: SVU, and What's Eating Gilbert Grape.
• Hana Cekala: Czech model and former Miss Universe Czech Republic.
• Luka Cekala: Czech swimmer who competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics.
• Michał Cekala: Polish footballer who plays for GKS Tychy in the Polish Ekstraklasa.
• Patricia Cekala: American singer, best known for her appearances on the show America's Got Talent.
• Jan Cekala: Czech professional basketball player who currently plays for Nymburk in the National Basketball League.
• Igor Cekala: Slovenian musician and former member of the band Laibach.
• Sebastien Cekala: French actor and television host, best known for his appearances in various European television shows.
• Alec Cekala: American artist, known for his sculptures and paintings based on the themes of travel, time, and shared experiences.
• Viktor Cekala: Slovakian professional musician, best known for his cello and piano compositions.

Other surnames

CekalCekalla