Surname Mella - Meaning and Origin
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Mella: What does the surname Mella mean?
The last name Mella has multiple potential origins and meanings. It's predominantly found in Spain and Italy, with roots in Latin, Spanish, and Italian cultures. In Latin, "Mella" is derived from "Mellitus," which means "as sweet as honey," indicating the person's pleasant or agreeable nature. In Spanish, Mella could be a topographic name for someone who lived near a particular rock, coming from the regional term "mella", meaning a notch, groove, or chink. Some suggest it might also relate to the Spanish word "miel" ("honey"). In Sicilian culture, Mella was a term for the wild apple tree, possibly indicating someone's residence near such trees. Some sources also link Mella to the Hebrew name Melech, meaning "king". However, the interpretation and origin can vary according to different family histories. As with any surname, it's advised to look into individual genealogical records to better understand its significance for a specific family line.
Order DNA origin analysisMella: Where does the name Mella come from?
The last name Mella is quite common today, especially in certain regions. In South America, it is especially common in Argentina and Uruguay, and is one of the most common last names in both countries. In Mexico and Central America, Mella is also fairly widespread. There are also Mella families in the Philippines, and it can be found in other parts of the world such as Italy, Australia, and the United States.
In the United States, the last name Mella is found mainly in states with Latin influence, such as Florida, California, Texas, New Jersey, and New York. One of the earliest known Mella families in the United States is traceable to New Jersey in the early 19th century. The family's journey can be traced back to their ancestor Francesco Mella who immigrated to the United States around 1810.
In Italy, Mella is popular, especially in the northern regions of Lombardy and Piedmont. The first recorded use of the last name is in the 1000s by a family who lived in the Po Valley. The name was likely derived from the Roman word "mella" which means "honey", hinting at the once sweet fragrance of the Susa Valley, its original family's home. Later on, Mella families scattered across the peninsula as they moved to seek better opportunities.
No matter where it is located today, it is clear that the last name Mella has had a long and interesting history.
Variations of the surname Mella
The surname Mella is a patronymic name, a type of surname derived from a father’s name or an ancestor’s given name. It has many different spellings and variants including: Mella, Mellas, Mealla, Mellya, Mellina, Miella, Mialla, Mela, Mellai, Mellan, Melloni, Mellino, Melio, and Milea.
Mella is a Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Greek, Czech, and Slovak surname that has origins from numerous countries. Some sources say it is derived from the Irish given name Maoileachlainn, which means “devotee of Saint John” in the Old Irish Language. In Spain, the surname Mella most likely originates from Olde Germanic or Old French roots and could mean someone from the town of Melle in Belgium. In Portugal, the Mella surname may come from England and be derived from the Keltic-Iberian word “mela”, which means “hill” or “mound”. Additionally, the family name Mella may also have derived from the Hebrew given name Malka, which means “queen”.
Another possible origin for the Mella surname is as a variant for the German surname Mellmann, which is found in Saxony, Berlin, Brandenburg, and Bavaria. This surname is derived from the words “mehl” or “mahl”, meaning “meal”. It is believed that these people were related to either millers or flour merchants.
The variants of the Mella surname can be found as far back as the medieval period, when families were usually designated by a single name. As time passed, people began to take on surnames of their own. Eventually, these surnames evolved and changed over time, resulting in the wide array of spellings and variants found today.
Famous people with the name Mella
- Oriana Mella: Venezuelan journalist and attorney.
- Carlos Mella: Chilean poet and literature professor.
- Mario Mella: Cuban economist, writer, and public figure.
- Lázaro Mella: Cuban architect.
- Carlos Mella Sobrino: Spanish professional golfer.
- Oscar Mella: Venezuelan football manager.
- Edgar Mella: Chilean footballer.
- Angelo Mella: Italian Catholic priest and martyr.
- Lula Mella: Mexican actress primarily known for her roles in telenovelas.
- Ricky Mella: Puerto Rican professional wrestler.