Surname Melis - Meaning and Origin
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Melis: What does the surname Melis mean?
The last name Melis is a common surname found throughout Europe, especially in countries such as Italy, France, and Spain. Historically, it is believed to be associated with people who came from the area of Melis in Lombardy, northern Italy. The literal translation of Melis is “meadow” or “meadows.” This may suggest that people with this last name originated from a location that was known for its abundance of meadows.
In Italian, the name is derived from the Latin “mel” meaning “honey.” This could also be related to the abundance of meadows, as honeybees collect nectar from flowers found in meadows. It’s possible that someone with the last name Melis historically originated from an area known for its honey production.
In antiquity, the Melis family is believed to have been an affluent family in Italy, often associated with nobility. This is likely because of a number of prominent people who carried the last name, such as Carlo Melis, a prominent lawyer from the fifteenth century, or Giovanni Battista Melis, who was one of the most popular Italian opera composers in the eighteenth century.
Today, the last name Melis is still prominent across Europe as well as the Americas. It is associated with a sense of commitment, pride, and loyalty. Those with this last name are often hard working and can often be found in roles associated with leadership.
Order DNA origin analysisMelis: Where does the name Melis come from?
The last name Melis is most commonly found in the European countries of Italy, Spain, and France. It has been recorded in those countries since the Middle Ages. In Italy, Melis is most frequently seen in the regions of Turin, Rome, and Naples. In France, it is most frequent in the Provence region, in particular the towns of Menton and Saint-Tropez. In Spain, it is found in the regions of Andalusia and Catalonia, specifically the cities of Madrid and Barcelona.
The Melis surname is thought to have a Latin or Hebrew origin, and was likely brought to Europe during the Migration Period. It is a patronymic surname, meaning it was formed by the father's first name. In Belgium, the last name Melis is found in the areas of Flanders and Brussels, while it is also seen in the Netherlands.
In the United States, the last name Melis is relatively rare, with just a few thousand people in the entire nation bearing the name. In the current US Census, the vast majority of those bearing this name trace their ancestors back to their European roots. California and Texas are the states with the most people with this last name as their home states.
Variations of the surname Melis
The surname Melis is of Italian origin and is derived from either the Latin root Melitus or Militus, both meaning soldier.
The variants, spellings, and surnames that originate from Melis include:
MELIS: The most common spelling of the name is simply Melis.
MELIUS: This is the Latin spelling of the surname, derived from the root Melitus or Militus.
MELLIS: This is a spelling variation of Melis.
MELLS: This is a minor spelling variation of Melis.
MELISS: This is a minor spelling variation of Melis.
MÉLIS: This is the French spelling variant of Melis.
MEIGH: This spelling variation is thought to have originated from Irish immigrants to England.
MELICE: This is an Italian spelling variation of Melis, derived from the Latin Militus.
MÉLYS: This is the Romanian form of the name Melis.
OTHER SURNAMES OF SIMILAR ORIGIN: Some other related surnames of Melis include Meilys, Milius, Millis, Millys, Millie, Mullis, and Mellish.
Famous people with the name Melis
- Kristy Melis: American reality TV star who is best known for appearing on the show Little Women: Dallas.
- Jean-Joseph Melis: French sculptor and medal-maker who was born in 1777.
- Aimy Melis: Chilean actress and presenter known for playing in films such as El Analfabeto and El Honor de un Pueblo.
- Miguel R. Melis: Mexican actor best known for his work in the 2012 thriller movie Justicia Final.
- Juan Melis: Cuban pianist who has released a number of recordings such as Tiempo al Tiempo.
- Gilda Melis: Uruguayan discus thrower who represented her country at the 2012 London Olympics.
- René Melis: Dutch actor and director who has appeared in a number of films including Dummie de Mummie en de Tombe van Achniper.
- Leopoldo de Melis: Spanish socialite and politician who served as Spain's ambassador to Argentina from 1907-1909.
- Vincenzo Melis: Italian Violinist, conductor and composer from the 18th century.
- Ruben Melis: Argentine graphic designer and artist who is known for his illustrative and typographic works.