Surname Karakelle - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Karakelle: What does the surname Karakelle mean?
The surname Karakelle (also spelt ‘Kerakelle’) is a Sri Lankan surname meaning ‘firewood carrier’. It's believed to be derived from the Sinhalese words ‘kar’ or ‘ker’ (wood/firewood) and ‘akelle’ (carrier). The surname is found predominantly in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka where it originated.
Some suggest that it began as a hereditary surname, with members of subsequent generations taking on the same surname; similar to how one might take on a job title or name of village they originate from. It is likely that this surname would represent those who were traditional firewood gatherers and transporters. The practice of such work was also seen in other parts of South Asia and East Africa.
The most famous bearer of this surname is Sri Lankan singer and musician Jayantha Karakelle, better known as ‘Karaoke’, who has gained fame not only in his home country but also internationally.
Today, while the work of firewood gatherers and transporters is not as popular as it once was, the surname Karakelle is still popular in Sri Lanka, and is a reminder of the traditional job that held importance and meaning in the societies of the past and that still influence many people today.
Order DNA origin analysisKarakelle: Where does the name Karakelle come from?
The last name Karakelle is commonly found in parts of Greater Middle East, including Turkey, Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Israel. It is believed to have its origins in Turkey, where the surname is still widely used to this day.
In Turkey, the surname is particularly concentrated in the region of Thrace, located in the northwest corner of the country. It is also found in other regions of Western Turkey, including Istanbul, Çanakkale, and Izmir. In Istanbul, the Karakelle family reportedly formed a prominent Ottoman dynasty.
The surname is also found throughout the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. It is also present in Iraq, where it is often spelled as Krakly or Karkaly. In Cyprus, the name is found among the Maronite Christians.
The Karakelle surname has also spread to other parts of the world. In North America, the last name is most commonly found among the Greek and Lebanese communities. However, it is also present in other countries, such as the United Kingdom and Australia.
Overall, today the last name Karakelle is commonly found in parts of the Greater Middle East, as well as other parts of the world. It is a testament to the far-reaching influence of the Ottoman Empire.
Variations of the surname Karakelle
Karakelle is a surname of Dutch origin. It is likely derived from the Dutch word "Karakter", which means character or nature. Other variations of the name include Karakals, Karkles, Karakelle, Karkale, and Karakel.
The Netherlands is a highly urbanized country that has been home to many different cultures since ancient times, leading to many different variations of names. This is especially true of the Karakelle surname. It has been developed around different regions depending on the language and immigration of the population.
In the Netherlands it is pronounced as Karakel-le and the spelling is Karakelle. In other countries like Germany, where Dutch minorities live, the word has been pronounced differently. Here it is more commonly said as Karkles or Karakals.
Immigrants to the United States and Canada changed their family name to Karakelle when they arrived. They were spellings used by third and fourth generations of families who had migrated and anglicised their surnames to fit into the culture of the new land.
The spelling and pronunciation of Karakelle can also vary depending on the country and region. In some places it may be referred to as Karkale or Karakel. This could happen if a family had emigrated from a different part of Europe and adopted the spelling of their new home.
To sum up, Karakelle has many variations and spellings depending on geography and immigration. The origins of the name lie in the Dutch language, and today its variants can be found all over the world.
Famous people with the name Karakelle
- Elif Karakelle Tezcan: a Turkish actress best known for her roles in O Hayat Benim and Weggesperrt
- Şafak Karakelle: a Turkish screenwriter, producer and television presenter
- Fevzi Karakelle: a Turkish football player formerly playing for Fenerbahçe and the Turkish national team
- Nil Karakelle: a Turkish model and television presenter
- Emin Karakelle: a Turkish football player formerly playing for Fenerbahçe
- Hasan Karakelle: a Turkish entrepreneur and the founder of Karakelle Holding, one of the largest conglomerates in Turkey
- Süleyman Karakelle: a Turkish actor best known for his work on 'The Magnificent Century'
- Nurten Karakelle: a Turkish actress best known for her roles in O Hayat Benim and Weggesperrt
- Gülten Karakelle: a Turkish actress best known for her roles in Kösem Sultan and Sevdam Alabora
- İlkay Karakelle: a Turkish pop singer and songwriter