Surname Cale - Meaning and Origin
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Cale: What does the surname Cale mean?
The last name Cale is believed to be an English name from a Norman French word meaning ‘warm’ or ‘calm’. As such, it is thought that it may have been a nickname given to someone who was either particularly peaceful or particularly passionate. Alternatively, the name could have originated from the Old Norse personal name Káli, which meant ‘one who is victorious’.
The name was most likely first brought to Britain during the Norman Conquest of 1066, and there are several known spellings including Cal, Cahl, Calle, Cail, and Kell. From the Norman Conquest onwards, the spelling of many surnames changed and evolved over time.
Today, instances of the name Cale can be found in records from the 13th century and onwards. It is a relatively rare name, definitely more common in England than in most other countries.
People with the surname Cale are often associated with England and Wales, although some may have immigrated to other countries, such as the United States, over the years. The name Cale has been passed down many generations, and it is likely that there are now people living around the world who bear this name.
Order DNA origin analysisCale: Where does the name Cale come from?
The last name Cale is especially common in the United States, particularly in the state of Virginia. According to the 2019 United States Census Bureau, Cale was the 743rd most common surname in the country at the time, with 21,687 Americans bearing the name.
Tracing the geographical origins of Cale, the name can be found mostly in the southeastern United States. Additionally, many individuals who bear this particular last name have ties to the United Kingdom, where it originated. There is a strong population of Cale's families in states such as Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Georgia.
In the western United States, Cale is not as commonly found as it is in the southeast. There are, however, smaller communities of the name in states such as Texas, Louisiana and California. In the east, Cale's congregate primarily in Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania.
In addition to the United States, the name Cale can also be found throughout various countries in Europe, most notably in Germany and the Netherlands.
Despite the somewhat small population of Cale’s around the world, many members of this family still communicate and congregate through a variety of different social organizations, such as the Cale Association, the Cale Clan in Scotland, and online communities.
Variations of the surname Cale
Calé is one of the oldest surnames in Europe with records of its existence dating back to the 10th century, with its roots in Normandy, France. While the original Calé spelling is still common today, this surname has evolved with time and is now found under a variety of spellings, including Caile, Calle, Caille, Callé, Calli, and Caili. In some instances, the original French spelling of the name has been changed to English versions such as Call and Cale.
The Ancient Calé family was originally found in Valpuiseaux, a village in the Ile-de-France region north of Paris, France. For a time, several branches of the family lived in the area and some later relocated to other parts of France and abroad, including Canada. As a result, there are many generations of the Calé name spread across the world.
Other surnames with the same origin as the Calé surname include Caillé, Calieu, Caillet, Calient, Callois, Causse, and Caillaux. The surname may also be linked to other French surnames, such as Canelles, Chaumelle, Chale, Calais, Delacalé, and Descalés.
In addition to these surname variants, many members of the Calé family adopted anglicized versions of the original name in various countries. For example, in England, the name may become Cawley or Caley, while the Irish surname of O’Caille may also be derived from the original Calé. Furthermore, in Scotland, the spelling Kaley may also be used, while other versions such as Keley, Kealy, and Kiley have also been recorded in old documents.
Famous people with the name Cale
- J.J. Cale: Singer-songwriter, best known for his hit song ‘Cocaine’.
- John Cale: Musician, composer, and founding member of the influential rock band The Velvet Underground.
- Jack Cale: Actor best known for his role in the western television series Have Gun: Will Travel.
- Christopher Cale: Record producer and engineer who has worked with artists such as The Black Crowes, Neil Young, Train, and Shania Twain.
- William Cale: Actor and film producer best known for his credited work on ‘Wall Street’ and ‘The Core’.
- Joe Cale: Music producer who contributed to the production of the Grammy Award-winning album ‘Tapestry’ by Carole King.
- Eric Cale: Voice actor and singer who contributed to the production of the show ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’.
- Elvis Cale: Actor who had a role in the film ‘The Hangover’.
- Carter Cale: Singer and recording artist who released the album ‘Midnight Radio’ in 2010
- Edward Cale: Emmy award-winning sound editor who worked on ‘The X-Files’, ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’, and ‘Babylon 5’.