Surname Galinis - Meaning and Origin
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Galinis: What does the surname Galinis mean?
The last name Galinis is an Eastern European surname which has Lithuanian origins. It is derived from the word "galina", which means "small one". The name likely referred to the fact that the family line was composed of small people, or was otherwise associated with a sense of having small physical stature.
In some cases, the Galinis surname is thought to originate from the Lithuanian word galinti, which means "to be able", or "can do". This suggests the name could have been given to the family line because of their physical and mental prowess or skills.
Due to the popularity of the surname being carried by many Lithuanian immigrants to the United States and Canada, it is also believed to have Jewish origins. Specifically, it is thought to have derived from similar names such as Gellman, Galem, or Galmon.
Regardless of the history of the surname, the name Galinis holds a distinctive, unique quality to it. It is a family name that serves to identify those who share the same roots, and unites them on a deeper level. It is a name that speaks of the family's prowess, skill, and strength.
Order DNA origin analysisGalinis: Where does the name Galinis come from?
The last name Galinis is most commonly found in central and southeastern Europe. It is distributed across Italy, Poland, Croatia, Germany, Romania, Austria and the Czech Republic. It is also common in certain parts of the Balkans, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro.
The origins of the last name Galinis are uncertain. It may be derived from the Latin name Galenus, which means “calm” or “peaceful”. In some cases, the name could be derived from the town of Galinon in the Hautes-Pyrénées region of France.
It is thought that the surname was brought to Europe during the Middle Ages by way of migration from the Orient. It may have been taken up by people who settled in areas where they found peace and prosperity, such as in Italian city states or in Poland.
The Galinis family is also found in America, particularly in the United States. It's likely that individuals bearing the Galinis surname immigrated to the US from Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, the Galinis surname can be seen in cities across the US including Chicago, New York City, Miami, Seattle and San Francisco.
Variations of the surname Galinis
The surnames Galinis and Galinish have the same origins and are believed to be variants of each other. Galinis is thought to derive from the name Galin or Galinovo, a location in the Belarus region of Eastern Europe. Galinish is thought to have originated in Lithuania. Both spellings are likely derived from the word "galys," which means old.
The name Galinis may be found in different spelling variations, including Galinish, Galinov, Galiniskas, Galinitz, Galinovich, Galinoff, Galinowicz, and Galinovski.
Galinis is a more established and recognizable surname. People with the Galinis surname may have emigrated from Eastern Europe or the Baltics to areas such as the United States, Canada, South America, and the United Kingdom during the turn of the 20th century.
Despite the multiple spelling variations, all derivatives of the Galinis surname are believed to come from the same source and much of the history of the surname is shared. It can be assumed that those who bear the last name Galinis and its derivatives are descendants of the Eastern European origin.
Famous people with the name Galinis
- Vic Galinis: American hockey coach who served as head coach for the University of Alaska–Anchorage (UAA) from 1992 to 2017.
- Bob Galinis: Professional basketball coach whose career as an NCAA head coach spans nine seasons.
- Jim Galinis: American folk and blues singer-songwriter as well as a multi-instrumentalist.
- Tom Galinis: Former Canadian Football League player who turned to coaching after his playing career.
- John Galinis: Professional hockey player, notably playing with the Philadelphia Flyers.
- Melina Galinis: Acclaimed Greek-born artist whose work has graced both the small and silver screens.
- Alex Galinis: Greek-American actor who is best known for his work on the highly acclaimed Netflix series House of Cards.
- Alex Galinis Jr.:lex Galinis Jr., co-creator of Jeff and Alex's Custom Cars on the Discovery Channel.
- Terry Galinis: Professional baseball pitcher who had a short stint with the Philadelphia Phillies.
- Betty Galinis: Award-winning American folk musician and multi-instrumentalist.