Find out how popular the last name Calis is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Calis.

Calis, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Calis surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Calis in America

Calis is the 118853rd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Calis surname appeared 146 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Calis.

We can also compare 2010 data for Calis to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Calis

The surname Calis is believed to have originated in Spain during the medieval period. It is thought to have derived from the Latin word "calix," which means "cup" or "chalice." This suggests that the name may have been initially associated with those involved in the production or trade of cups or chalices, perhaps metalworkers or pottery makers.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the Calis surname can be found in the records of the Inquisition in Catalonia, dating back to the 15th century. This indicates that families bearing this name were present in northeastern Spain during that time.

As the Calis surname spread across Spain and beyond, it underwent various spelling variations, such as Caliz, Calice, and Calice. These variations reflect the regional dialects and linguistic influences of different areas.

In the 16th century, a notable individual named Juan Calis (1520-1589) was a renowned Spanish painter and sculptor. His works can still be found in various churches and museums across Spain, showcasing his contributions to the artistic legacy of the era.

During the colonial period, the Calis surname made its way to the Americas as Spanish settlers and explorers ventured across the Atlantic. One of the earliest recorded instances of this name in the New World can be found in the historical records of Mexico City, where a man named Pedro Calis (1625-1701) was a prominent merchant and landowner.

In the 19th century, a notable figure bearing the Calis surname was Enrique Calis (1845-1912), a Spanish philosopher and writer. His works explored themes of metaphysics and the human condition, earning him recognition among intellectual circles of his time.

Another individual of note was María Calis (1880-1958), a Spanish educator and advocate for women's rights. She dedicated her life to promoting education and empowerment for women, leaving a lasting impact on the social reforms of her era.

The Calis surname has also been present in other parts of Europe, with records indicating families bearing this name in Italy, France, and Portugal. However, its origins and strongest historical presence remain rooted in Spain.

While the Calis surname may not be among the most common in modern times, its history spans centuries and reflects the diverse cultural influences that have shaped the Spanish language and heritage over time.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Calis

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Calis.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Calis was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Calis has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Calis was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Calis, please contact us.

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