Surname Melas - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Melas: What does the surname Melas mean?
The last name Melas is of Greek origin. It can be translated to mean “from the mill”, indicating a family whose origins were in an area where the production of flour was an important trade. The name is also associated with various related professions such as miller and millwright.
The name is typically found in areas of Greece and Cyprus, though it is sometimes found in other parts of the world due to the immigration of Greek families throughout history. It is a common name in the United States, especially among those who are descendants of Greek immigrants.
Etymologically, the name comes from the Greek “melas”, meaning “black”, suggesting that those with the name may have had black-haired ancestors. Alternatively, the name could also refer to the dark color of the ground near a mill.
The name has a deep cultural and historical significance for many Greek people. For some it represents the economic importance of mills in the history of the country. For others, it serves as a reminder of the many families who were forced to flee their homes due to military conflict and political upheaval.
No matter what the origin of the name is, Melas remains a strong Greek surname with a powerful meaning that is shared across the globe by those who are proud to wear it.
Order DNA origin analysisMelas: Where does the name Melas come from?
The last name Melas is a very rare last name today and can primarily be found in Greece. Melas is a Greek name that originates from the ancient Greek word ‘melas’ which means black. This surname was first found in 14th century in the Greek region of Thessaly and is still relatively common in areas populated by Greek people. In modern-day Greece, the name has been carried on by many families and is now also given as a first name.
In the United States, there is also a small number of families with the Melas surname. According to the US current data, only about 241 people are reported to have the Melas surname. This is a very small percentage compared to the population of the country. In all other countries across the world, the Melas surname is rare.
The Melas family name is also commonly linked toonymity in Crete, an island off the coast of Greece. In Crete, many families going back generations still bear the Melas name. Families living in these islands adopted such surnames in order to distinguish themselves from communal members.
Despite its low occurrence in many countries today, the Melas name is still carried on across the globe in regions where Greek people live. The name is often seen linked to Greek culture, and it is clear that it still holds some sentiment among Greek people.
Variations of the surname Melas
The surname Melas is often seen in various spellings including, but not limited to, Melas, Mellas, Mallas, Malles, Malas, Loules, Melazzo, and Melarras.
Melas is most commonly associated with an Italian surname, but there are also other similar names from other countries and have different origins. For example, the name Melazzo is an Italian family name that is localized in the Province of Salerno in Campania, Italy, while the surname Melarras is found in Basque.
In Greece, the surname Melas is attributed to the family from the area of Andravida-Lepanto, while the surname Malles is found in the island of Corfu. It is also known to come from Thessaly, where it was used in the form of Mallas. Loules is considered to be a Greek variant of the name and is connected with the village of Loule in Laconia, Greece.
The surname Melas is also commonly found in several parts of the US. This is because the Melas family emigrated to the US in the mid-1800s and settled in several locations, mostly in the northeast part of the country.
In the US, the name Melas is often used alternatively with the names Malles, Malas, as well as Melazzo and Melarras.
In short, the surname Melas may have several variants, with each one having its own origin. Generally, the surnames Melas, Malles, Melazzo, and Melarras can be considered as having the same origin.
Famous people with the name Melas
- Christina Melas: an American journalist, news analyst, and political commentator known as a Contributing Editor for the Fox News Channel and a panelist on the Fox News political talk show Outnumbered.
- Kali Melas: a television presenter and journalist appearing in various outlets including the SBS World News on Australia's SBS network
- Kimberly Melas: a news reporter specializing in health and medical news, currently featured on ABC News
- Vassilis Melas: a Greek footballer with 7 Superleague Caps with PAS Giannina Football Club
- Stratos Melas: a Greek actor born in 1936 who appeared in numerous films including Masques and Zorba the Greek and won the Best Actor Award at the Thessaloniki Film Festival
- Konstantinos Melas: a Greek Army officer who helped to bring about the unification of Crete with Greece in 1913
- George Melas: a Greek composer of classical music most well-known for his works for the concert hall and musical theater
- Dositheos Melas: a Greek public servant and archaeologist who discovered and unearthed the site of Knossos on Crete
- Pavlos Melas: a Greek military officer and national hero who fought in both the Greco-Turkish War of 1897 and the Macedonian Struggle
- Artemios Melas: one of the commanders of the Greek forces during the Greco-Turkish War of 1897