Origin & Meaning of the Cales Surname
What does the last name Cales mean?
The surname Cales carries the meaning "Son of Cales." It is derived from the Spanish language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 1,953 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Cales ranks as the #15,104 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Cales come from?
The Cales surname has its roots in Spanish/Portuguese heritage. Names of Spanish/Portuguese origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Cales name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Cales trace back to Spanish. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Cales |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Son of Cales |
| Origin | Spanish/Portuguese |
| Language | Spanish |
| US Rank (2010) | #15,104 |
| US Count (2010) | 1,953 |
| Per 100K People | 0.66 |
| First Letter | C |
Ethnic Distribution of Cales
According to the US Census, the Cales surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 1,953 Americans with the Cales last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 80.75% |
| Black | 1.59% |
| Hispanic | 14.9% |
| Two or More Races | 1.59% |
Popularity of Cales Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Cales surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Cales surname increased by 222 between 2000 and 2010.
Discover Your Cales Ancestry
Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Cales ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.
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The Complete Story of the Cales Family
What you’ve read above is just the overview. Your full Cales Heritage Report goes far deeper — and it’s yours to keep, print & share with your family.
- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Cales
- ✓ The Cales coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where Cales families live today
- ✓ Notable Cales bearers in history
- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
- ✓ A step-by-step guide to start tracing your own family tree
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Similar Surnames to Cales
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Cales.
Other Spanish/Portuguese Surnames
Explore more surnames with Spanish/Portuguese roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Spanish/Portuguese origin as Cales.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cales
Top Surnames Starting with C
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter C, ranked by population.
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