Surname Vela - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'V'
iGENEA DNA Journey: Revealing the Multicultural Tapestry of the Vela Family Heritage
My experience with the iGENEA DNA test journey unraveled unexpected Swiss and Italian ancestry links aside from our believed Spanish heritage associated with the Vela surname. It was a defining revelation that has substantially influenced my perception of our family identity, redefining our traditions and celebrations.
Q. Vela
read moreVela: What does the surname Vela mean?
The surname Vela has origins in multiple countries, including Spain, Italy, and Croatia. In Spanish, "vela" translates to "candle" or "sail", suggesting potential connections to professions from the past such as candle makers or sailors. In Croatia, it is associated with the toponym of the Velebit mountain range. It is likely that bearers of this name are descendants of people who lived near or on the mountains, in or near areas known for candle making, or close to the sea where sailing was a common occupation.
The Vela surname is noted in historical records going back to medieval times, and it can be found in numerous branches with more localized variations on the name. Like many surnames, it likely started as a way to identify a person based on location, occupation, or family, but has since become just a family name passed down through generations.
However, it is crucial to remember that surnames have complex and varied histories; while the above interpretations are commonly cited, each family's name may have its own individual history and meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisVela: Where does the name Vela come from?
The last name Vela is found throughout Latin America and the Spanish-speaking world. It is particularly common in Spain, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and other Spanish-speaking countries. It also appears as the last name of many Hispanic Americans.
The origin of the name Vela is uncertain. Some researchers point to the Visigothic root belie, meaning protection, as the possible root of the name. It is also believed to derive from Matarife, which was an Arabic name referring to a person who is capable of bringing rain by lighting torches.
The Vela family is an old one that traces its beginnings back to the 17th Century in Extremadura, Spain, and the Isle of Minorca. The name is thought to be an aristocratic one as several members of the family held important positions during the Spanish colonial period, including governors, military officers, priests, and civil servants.
In America, many members of the Vela family were among the first Spanish settlers in California and New Mexico. They were also among the founding families that settled the Dominican Republic after it declared its independence from Haiti in 1844.
Vela families in America are found in parts of the United States, with the highest concentration in Texas, California, and Florida. It is estimated that there are more than 25,000 people in the United States with the last name Vela.
Variations of the surname Vela
Variants: Vella, Vele, Vega.
Spellings: Veela, Vela, Vella, Velá.
Surnames of the same origin: Velo, Velez, Veloso, Veloso, Velasco.
The surname Vela originated in Spain but is also found throughout Latin America and the Spanish-speaking communities of the United States.
Variants of the surname include Vella, Vele, and Vega, though these variations are more common in Italy than other Spanish-speaking countries.
Spelling differences of Vela can be found as Veela, Vela, Vella, and Velá.
It is also linked to various other surnames of the same origin, including Velo, Velez, Veloso, Veloso, and Velasco.
Though the surname is predominantly Spanish, its presence has spread to other language-speaking communities, such as Portuguese, French, Italian, and Catalan. Vela is sometimes also used as a first name in Spanish-speaking countries.
The vivid history behind Vela can be traced back to the ancient Visigothic name ‘Wella’, meaning 'proud', 'high' and 'magnanimous'.
It is a fascinating example of the generational and global nature of some surnames—passing through time and countries from source to origin.
Famous people with the name Vela
- Andres Vela: Mexican professional wrestler
- Aitor Vela: Spanish professional basketballer
- Alberto Vela: Salvadorian politician
- Franciso Vela: Spanish professional footballer
- Iliana de La Vega Vela: Mexican actress
- José Vela García: Spanish sculptor
- Jesus Vela: Spanish professional footballer
- José Vela Zanetti: Former Mexican ambassador
- Luis Miguel Vela: Spanish professional footballer
- Marcela Vela García: Mexican Politician
- Neymar Vela: Spanish snowboarder
- Severo Vela: Mexican basketball player
- Yubelkys Vela: Dominican Republic actress
- Yomaira Jaselín Vela: Venezuelan athlete
- Diana Vela Lozano: Mexican tennis player