Surname Margalis - Meaning and Origin
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Margalis: What does the surname Margalis mean?
The last name Margalis is derived from the Slavic given name Margal, also found as Margali and Margol. It is thought to have originated as a nickname for someone related to Margarita, meaning pearl.
In the Russian language this last name is considered to be of patronymic origin, meaning that it was adapted from a person's father's name, usually with the addition of the ending '-ich' or '-ov'. This makes Margalis a traditionally male name, although it is sometimes seen as a unisex name in the modern era.
The name Margalis is also related to the Jewish surname Margulies, which is found in the modern-day spelling of Margulies among Ashkenazi Jews.
The surname has been found in places such as Belarus, Ukraine, Russia and Lithuania and can still be found in many of these countries today.
The common characteristics associated with the name Margalis are creativity, intelligence and wisdom. Those who bear the name are typically independent thinkers and may be drawn to creative expressions such as the arts. Many are natural leaders, often with a strong sense of justice and a passion for travelling. They are also highly driven and often successful.
Order DNA origin analysisMargalis: Where does the name Margalis come from?
The last name Margalis is most frequently found in Lithuania, with other sizable populations living in the United States, Germany, Russia, Canada, and Brazil. The name is derived from the Lithuanian word for pearl, which is margaritas.
In Lithuania, the name Margalis can be found in many areas, including Vilnius, Panevezyys, and Alytus. The surname is likely more commonly found in the most heavily populated areas, since it remains a popular choice for Lithuanian parents.
In the United States, the name Margalis can be found in numerous states, with populations scattered across the country. For example, the most numerous states include California, New York, Illinois, and Massachusetts. Many of these Americans can trace their origins to Lithuanian immigrants who made their way to the States in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Similarly, the name is found in other parts of the world, although these populations are much smaller. For example, there are lesser numbers of people bearing the name Margalis found in Germany, Russia, Canada, and Brazil. In many of these places, you will find a single Margalis family rather than multiple.
All in all, the last name Margalis is most common today in Lithuania, but small populations of Margalis individuals can be found around the world.
Variations of the surname Margalis
The surname Margalis has multiple spellings and variants, including Margal, Margala, Margali, Margalich, Margalit, Margalit, Margalith, Margalis, Margalit, Margalitach, Margalitay, Margols, Marol, Marola, Marolich, Marolit, Marolitay, Marols, Marouls, Maroulis, and Maruls.
The surname is Jewish in origin and is derived from the Yiddish term “margalit”, which means “pearl”. As a surname, it was adopted by families that had members who were gem merchants or jewelers.
The variant surnames or Margalis may have been influenced by regional variations and dialects, or even been adopted by other cultural and religious groups. The surname can also be traced back to Russia, in the spelling of Margol. This may be due to immigrants from the Pale of Settlement or the later immigration of Jews from Eastern Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The surname Margalis is most commonly found in the United States and Canada, but it can also be found in Israel, Europe, and South Africa. It is likely that anyone with this surname is a descendant of Jewish immigrants who fled persecution in Europe and elsewhere.
Famous people with the name Margalis
- Allen Margalis: Olympic swimmer who represented the United States in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.
- Kenton Margalis: American backstroke swimmer who represented the USA in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
- Katrina Margalis: professional competitive swimmer and former NCAA champion who won a gold medal for the USA at the 2019 World University Games.
- Leila Margalis: American freestyle swimmer and Chadron State College record holder.
- Stephen Margalis: American swimmer who competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.
- Micah Margalis: American swimmer and University of Georgia All-American.
- Kate Margalis: British Paralympic swimmer who represented the United Kingdom at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.
- Adam Margalis: former swim coach at the University of Denver and Butler University.
- Riki Margalis: American open water swimmer who swam across the English Channel in 2018.
- Oliver Margolis: British rhythmic gymnast who competed at the 2019 Summer Universiade in Naples.