Surname Cailles - Meaning and Origin

Cailles: What does the surname Cailles mean?

The last name Cailles is of French origin and is derived from the Latin cale meaning “straw” or “hay,” thus indicating that the early bearers of this name may have been employed in agriculture or by peasants, or they may have been from a town or hamlet in France. The original spelling of this name was Caille, its first recorded use being in 1250 when a Bertin de Caille of Lorraine paid tribute to the King of France.

The Caille family was established in France by the middle ages, and were early inhabitants of the Île-de-France where they were prominent landowners. Later on, this family moved south to Champagne, where their farm became well known for its crop of white asparagus. From this crop, the family name changed to Cailles.

The name Cailles is still found most commonly in northern France, where it is observed most often in the region of Picardy. It is also found in Belgium, Switzerland, and other parts of Central Europe. Births of Cailles are recorded in France from the 1890s onward, so it is likely that different branches of the family have moved throughout Europe since medieval times.

The Cailles family is proud of its long history in France, and can trace its roots back to the middle ages. The original meaning associated with this name may have been lost over time, but the modern bearer of the name can be proud to be a part of a family that has been around for centuries.

Cailles: Where does the name Cailles come from?

The last name Cailles is most commonly found in France today. Originally, the Cailles family is believed to have originated around the area of Béarn, which is located in the south of France. Today, the family name is present in many parts of the country, particularly in the South with concentrations in the Aquitaine, Languedoc-Roussillon, Rhone-Alpes, and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur regions.

It is also possible to find the name Cailles in countries throughout Europe. For example, in Italy, Cailles is an uncommon surname, but one Italian family with the name has been found in Genoa. In Spain, there is a single family with the last name, while in the Czech Republic, the name is slightly more common with instruments of its use being documented since the 1600s.

With the rise of ANCESTRY.com, the name is actually seen on a much more global level these days. Specifically, there are people with the last name Cailles found in places like the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and many other countries around the world.

No matter where you look, the last name of Cailles is still alive and kicking and still manages to brings families and generations together.

Variations of the surname Cailles

The surname Cailles can be spelled in various ways depending on the region and pronunciation. In France, the most common spellings are Cailles and Caillé. The alternative French spelling is Caille. In Spain, the most common spelling is Caillés. In Italian, the most common spelling is Caiiglii.

The French surname Caillé is an occupational surname derived from the Old French word ‘caillier’ meaning ‘a maker or seller of stones.’ The original bearer likely worked in the stone trade.

Variant forms of the surname Cailles include Caillet, Caillot, de Caillé, Caillé-Mabou, de Caillé-Mabou, le Caillé, Caillou, Caillie, Caillin, Cailley, Cailys, Cailiss, Cayll, Caylli, Cayles, Caylel, Caley, Calley, and Celey.

The surname Cailles is also associated with various surnames, including Cayea, Guérin, Laleau, and Laleau-Caillé. Other derived surnames include Daillé, Daillée, and Caytier.

The surname Cailles is not common but is still in use in some parts of southwestern France and in some parts of Europe. It is also sometimes used by families from the Caribbean and South America, where a similar surname was commonly used by immigrants from France in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Famous people with the name Cailles

• Cynara Caille: Brazilian singer, known for her participation in the 2013 season of the Brazilian version of The Voice, and her singles "Contramão" and "O que Há de Errado".
• Thierry Cailles: outstanding French gymnast, who has been the French champion multiple times and has participated in several international competitions.
• Ramon Caille: Uruguayan basketball player, professional since 2001 and who has played in several Uruguayan teams such as Comesa, LTU Aguada, Sayago Basket, LG Zaz and Hebraica Macabi.
• David Cailles: French tennis player who participated in ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) tournaments in the 80s and 90s, achieving his highest position in the world ranking in 1987.
• Fabrice Cailles: French pianist, professor of piano, and composer. He has won several awards for his musical compositions, among them the Claude Debussy Composition prize, Grazioli Laderchi Competition, and the Mnemosyne Book Prize.
• Brigitte Cailles: Canadian athlete. Participated in the 4 x 400 women's relay in the Summer Olympics in 1996 in Atlanta.
• Marie-Françoise Cailles: French politician born in 1968. She is a member of the French pro-European Movement and has been the Secretary of State for Overseas, attached to the French Ministry of Foreign affairs.
• Tiphaine Cailles: French theater actress. She has been in shows such as School of Life, Idiot and The White Tree.
• Joseph Cailles: French poet, born in Paris in 1853. He was one of the main representatives of Parnassianism, a style of French literature oriented to classic aestheticism of the end of the 19th century.
• Philippe Cailles: French poet born in Avignon in 1923. He was one of the major representatives of the literary movement of French Poetic Reality.

Other surnames

Caillouet