Melia (surname)
Melia is a family name that may originate in the Caucasus state of Georgia (Georgian: მელია), in Italy, or in Ireland. The Georgian name is believed to be derived from the word melia (sometimes mela), meaning "fox". Names derived from Melia are Meliava, Meliva, Melua, Meluava or Meladze.[1] The Italian history may date back to early Rome.[2] The Irish origins may be via alterations to the name O'Maille or O'Malley.[3]
History
19th century
- Pius Melia (1800-1883), Italian Jesuit theologian
20th century
Some individuals bearing this name sought refuge abroad after the Red Army invaded the country.[4]
- Elie Melia (1915-1988), lived in Belgium and then in France; priest and historian of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
- Alexandre Meliava (1908-1968), refugee in France
- Mirian Melua (1903-1991), refugee in France
- Careena Melia, Irish-American actress
- Cian Melia, Irish showjumper
- Joe Melia (b. 1935), British television and film actor
- Michael Melia (b. 1945), established British actor
- Fulvio Melia (b. 1956), Italian-American astrophysicist and author
- Tim Melia (b. 1986), American soccer player
21st century
There are people bearing the name living in western Europe, children of Elie Melia :
- Nina Melia
- Elie Melia, son
- Ketevan Melia.
There are Meliavas living in western Europe, children of Alexandre Meliava :
- Guy Meliava (1939-2006), French designer
- Michel Meliava, French engineer
- Natacha Meliava, French business advisor
- Serge Meliava (1937-2011),[5] former President of the Georgian Association in France
There are also Meluas living in western Europe:
- Elen Melua,[6] former head of a French fashion collection
- Katie Melua, British singer
- Luc Melua (1936-2010), French motorist and journalist
- Mirian Melua, son,[7] chief editor of the newsletter Les Infos Brèves France Géorgie.
References
- ^ Lasha Bakradse, French translation Dominique Gauthier-Eligoulachvili : "Le Géorgien de poche. Noms de famille et prénoms", Assimil 2003.
- ^ https://www.houseofnames.com/melia-family-crest
- ^ https://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Melia
- ^ "Le Gouvernement de Réfugés" (PDF). French office of refugee (in French). 12 December 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015..
- ^ "Serge Méliava (1937-2011), ancien président de l'Association géorgienne en France". colisee.org (in French). 26 November 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2015. .
- ^ "Hélène Méloua, chef de collection d'origine géorgienne". colisee.org (in French). 29 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2015..
- ^ "Mirian Méloua, ingénieur et journaliste, d'origine géorgienne". colisee.org (in French). 29 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2015..