Surname Cekal - Meaning and Origin

Cekal: What does the surname Cekal mean?

The last name Cekal is a common surname found in countries throughout Central Europe, including Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. It is derived from the Old Czech word “cekalo,” which means listener. This suggests that the original bearer of the Cekal name was someone who was known to be a keen listener.

For the Cekals who live in Poland, the name origins may be linked to the Yiddish given name “Zekhul,” which is derived from the Hebrew word “zekhuy,” meaning “remembrance or memory.” This could mean that the name originated as an indicator of the skillfulness of whoever bore the original Cekal name in remembering things.

The name Cekal has spread to many parts of the world in recent decades as more and more people have migrated and intermarried. For many of those who still bear the Cekal name, the label is a reminder of their past, a connection to their cultural heritage, and a reminder of the value of being a keen listener.

Cekal: Where does the name Cekal come from?

The last name Cekal is a common name in the Slavic regions of Europe today. It is most commonly found in countries such as Belarus, Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Russia. The name Cekal originated in pre-Christian Slavic cultures and was originally used as a Patronymic name which means its derived from a father's given name; usually ending in the suffix -vich, and traditionally this name was used to define a family or a group of people who had a common descent.

The Cekal name is widespread in these countries due to centuries and generations of intermarriage and geographical relocation of families within and between the areas of the former Poland-Lithuania Commonwealth, the Kingdom of Hungary and the Austrian Empires.

The surname also appears as Czekal, Cekal, Cekala, Cekalski, Czekalski, Szygal, Szygala and Tsekal.

In Russia, the Cekal surname is the 209th most common name with about 10,000 people having the name, while in Poland it is relatively rare with less than 500 people.

Overall, the Cekal surname is still a relatively more common name in the Slavic regions of Europe, and is a simple reminder of the strong cultural and historical link between the countries which form the area.

Variations of the surname Cekal

The surname Cekal has many variants and spellings, and many surnames of the same origin. The most common variants and spellings of Cekal are Cikal, Chekal, Chekall, Cichal, Cechal, and Scecal. Depending on the country of origin and personal preferences which vary from one person to another, the letter “c” can also be spelled as “k” in some cases, among others.

The surnames which are of the same origin as Cekal are Chikal, Chekel, Chykal, Tsekal, Tsekalla, Tchukal, Csikal, Czichel, Zykal, Zykalova, and Zychal.

The word “cekal” is derived from the Slavic word for ‘to look’, and thus the surnames of the same origin can be interpreted as ‘those who look’ or ‘observe’. The Slavic root is often associated with the Old Slavic customs of carefully observing situations before making a decision or a judgement.

It is also thought that the derivation of Cekal is the Slavic word “cekat” which means ‘to wait’ or ‘to wait for’. However, these theories are largely contested, as the exact origin of the surname is unknown and shrouded in mystery.

The many spellings and surnames of the same origin of Cekal emphasize the diversity of its source, and speak to its importance and longevity as a part of various families' genealogy.

Famous people with the name Cekal

• Jasmine Cekal: Professional dancer and costume designer, known for her work on the NBC popular dance competition show World of Dance.
• Ceka Lalebai: CEO of The Ceka Collection, a handmade jewelry line.
• Milena Cekal: Brazilian fashion model and actress. She is a former Miss Brazil (2004) and was the first runner-up at the 2006 Miss Universe competition.
• Jovana Cekalovic: Serbian model. She was the winner of the Elite Model Look Serbia 2010 side contest.
• Patrik Cekal: Czech former professional footballer of Czech-Slovak descent.
• Brandi Cekal: Winner of the 46th Annual Miss Earth United States pageant, held in Las Vegas, NV. She recently competed in the Miss Earth pageant, representing the USA.
• Uros Cekalovic: Serbian-born Canadian swimmer who competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.
• Alina Cekal: German model, actress and television presenter. She is best known for her role as a presenter for the German music television channel VIVA.
• Isidor Cekal: Former Yugoslavian soccer player who won the Yugoslavian First Division title in 1974.
• Iva Cekalovic: Croatian television actress, known for her roles in the Serbian television series Hitna stanica (Emergency Room) and Obraz uz obraz (Face to Face).

Other surnames

CekalaCekalla