Surname Keles - Meaning and Origin
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Keles: What does the surname Keles mean?
The surname Keles is of Turkish origin and is derived from the term "Keles Ekümenik Kırılması" which translates to "The Unitarian Breakaway of Keles". This term was historically used to refer to the members of a Christian sect that broke away from the Eastern Orthodox Church during the 18th century in what is now Bulgaria.
The sect was founded by three brothers, named Kostadin, Ouzoun and Petar Keles, who were originally from the Bulgarian town of Anhialo (present-day Pomorie). They rebelled against the ruling religious order and called for personal religious freedom, the unification of all Balkan believers into a single practical and moral authority, and an end to the corruption within the Eastern Orthodox Church.
The name Keles was adopted by the followers of this sect and has become used as a surname. Today, the surname can still be found in different forms in Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, and other countries in Eastern Europe.
The surname Keles, then, reflects the history of a religious sect which sought to free people from the constraints of traditional religious authority and beliefs centuries ago. In that sense, the name Keles is symbolic of religious freedom and open-mindedness.
Order DNA origin analysisKeles: Where does the name Keles come from?
The surname Keles can be found today primarily in Turkey and Germany, but there is a small presence in other European countries, the United States, and Canada.
In Turkey, the Keles surname is common in the central region, specifically in and around the Denizli and Hatay provinces. This is likely due to the fact that many people bearing the surname originated from modern-day Armenia and Anatolia, though the precise origin is unknown.
In Germany, the Keles name is more regularly associated with the second-generation Turkish diaspora, who traces the surname back to ancestors who immigrated in the 1950s and beyond. The majority of people with the Keles surname in Germany today have roots in Turkey or the Diyarbakır region.
In the United States, the surname is most commonly found in states with large Turkish-American populations, such as California, Texas, New York, and Michigan. The surname has also been recorded in small numbers in other European countries, such as Switzerland and Denmark, as well as in Canada.
Variations of the surname Keles
The surname Keles is of Turkish origin, and it is derived from the Turkish “keleş” meaning “bearing weapons”. Variants of the surname Keles include Kalas, Kalac, Kaleş, Kalaş, Kala, Kales, Kalese, Kalis, Kalıç, Kalec, Kalich, Kaladesh, etc. The surnames Kaya, Kayalar and Kayıt are also of the same origin.
Keles is the most common spelling of the surname, but it can also be spelled differently depending on which country and language is being used. Common variations include Keleş, Kelesh, Kalös, Kalish, Kallish, Kallos, etc. In some countries, the surname may also be spelled as Kales, Kelis or Kels.
The surnames Kaya and Kayalar are also derived from the same root. Kaya is a Turkish word that means “rock”. The surname Kayalar is the plural form of the word “kaya”. The surname Kayıt is derived from the Turkish “kayıttar” which means “guide” or “referee”.
The surnames Keles, Kaya and Kayıt have spread across Europe as families of Turkish origin moved around. In some cases, the spelling may have been changed to make it easier to pronounce in the respective language. In some countries, the surname can also be found as Kelish, Kalash or even Kalich.
Famous people with the name Keles
- Erkan Keles: Turkish wrestler who has held a number of titles in Turkey and Europe.
- Fazilet Keles: Turkish actress who has appeared in more than 30 films.
- Ahmet Keles: Turkish architect, vegetarian and art curator who specializes in Ottoman period architecture.
- Atilla Keles: Turkish singer, songwriter and guitarist with 11 albums to his name.
- Barnabas Keles: Hungarian actor and singer who is known for his roles in Hungarian musicals and films.
- Onur Keles: former Turkish footballer and current coach who played for the Turkish national team in 2009.
- Hasan Keles: Turkish architect who designed the Museum of Istanbul Modern in 2007.
- Erdogan Keles: Turkish scientist and environmental engineer whose research focuses on natural resources.
- Necdet Keles: retired Turkish military officer who was decorated with the highest military honor for his service in Cyprus.
- Ozgur Keles: Turkish film director and screenwriter with works such as “Avare” and “Once Upon A Time”.