Surname Kairis - Meaning and Origin
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Kairis: What does the surname Kairis mean?
Kairis is an ancient Greek surname derived from the Greek word 'kairo' which translates to ‘balance’. This surname is believed to have originated in the region of Thessaly, located in northern Greece, during the elite and aristocratic era of the Byzantine Empire. The families who adopted this surname in the past were considered to be of a noble rank because of their wealth and power.
Most likely, those who use this surname today are descendants of these families or may have adopted Kairis as a show of their Greek heritage and ancestry. It is also possible for those with Kairis as a last name to have mixed religious roots with some ties to Christianity from the Byzantine period in Greece.
Throughout the centuries, this last name has been passed down through generations which connects ancient roots to present day families. Those with the last name Kairis may have an intrinsic connection to the divine power of balance, in more ways than one.
The quality of upholding and cultivating balance is associated with the power of having Kairis as the inherited legacy. Whether it be the balance between governments and private sectors, the balance between work and play, or the balance between the old and new, the last name Kairis serves as the ever-present reminder of a strong Greek heritage and understanding of the power of keeping the balance in any given situation.
Order DNA origin analysisKairis: Where does the name Kairis come from?
The last name Kairis is of Greek origin, and the original root of this surname is Καιρις meaning 'headland', 'cape', 'promontory', or 'peninsula'. The name was first recorded in the 15th century in eastern Mediterranean regions.
Today, the last name Kairis is most commonly found in Greece and Cyprus. In Greece, it is most common in the central areas such as Peloponnese, Central Macedonia, Attica and Epirus. In Cyprus, the majority of Kairis families are located in the western port cities such as Limassol, Larnaca, and the capital Nicosia. The Kairis family is also found in Crete and other areas in Greece.
The Kairis family is believed to have originated from the area of Karystos, in the southern part of Euboea, in the Aegean region. Today, Karystos is a small port city in southeastern Greece, and it is believed that Kairis family name is derived from the word Karystos.
Outside of Greece and Cyprus, Kairis is a rare surname. However, it is documented that the Kairis family moved to the United States around the late 1800s through the early 1900s. Records show that the majority of Kairis families living in the U.S, resided in New York City and Chicago. Smaller pockets of Kairis families can be found in Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.
Today, the last name Kairis continues to be treasured in Greece and Cyprus, but its diaspora now also stretches to the Americas.
Variations of the surname Kairis
The surname Kairis is derived from the ancient Greek word ‘kairoi’, meaning noble or brave. Variants and spellings of the Kairis surname include Kares, Kairies, Karonen, Keiras, Kyris, Kyriazis, Kairos, Kaeris, Kayris and Karris.
The Kairis surname is also found in other countries such as Finland, where it is spelled ‘Kaaras’ or ‘Kaarainen.’ In Sweden and Denmark, it is spelled ‘Kaerisen’. In Greece, the Kairis surname is pronounced “KEE-ree-sis”, and spelling variants include Kyriazis and Kairos.
In Russia, the Kairis surname is spelled Kairius or Cyrius, while in Bulgaria it is spelled Kyriazis. In Romania, the Kairis surname is pronounced ‘KEE-ree-shee’ and spelled Kyriazis, while in Hungary the spelling variants are ‘Kever’ and ‘Keverich.’
In Canada and the United States, the Kairis surname is commonly spelled ‘Carras’ and ‘Kerris’ respectively. Along with these spellings, the Kairis surname has been anglicized over the years, including variant spellings such as Kerry, Kerrey, Kerey, Carey, Carrey, and Karris.
Overall, the Kairis surname is most prominent in Greece and Cyprus, where variants and spellings include Kairis, Kyriazis, Kairos, and Karonen. However, it can be found in many other countries in a variety of spellings and pronunciations.
Famous people with the name Kairis
- Argyris Kairis: Greek revolutionary patriot, architect, doctor and politician who played an important role during the Greek War of Independence in 1821, in the struggle against the Ottoman Empire.
- Akis Kairis: Greek music composer and producer, known for his numerous works in the genres of pop and electronic music. He has collaborated with many popular Greek singers.
- Antonis Kairis: a Greek professional football player who plays as a forward for AEK Athens F.C.
- Dimitris Kairis: Greek professional football player who currently plays for Platanias F.C. in the Greek Super League.
- Eleni Kairis: Geli filmmaker, director and photographer. She is known for making unique documentaries that focus on social issues with an anthropological approach.
- George Kairis: a Greek football manager, currently in charge of Asteras Tripolis F.C. in the Greek Super League.
- Janis Kairis: a Greek actor and producer known for his roles in movies such as 'Runaway City' (1964) and 'The Wrath of God' (1973).
- Marios Kouris Kairis: the Greek professional cyclist, currently riding for Kastro-Hitera Cycling Team.
- Sakis Kairis: a Greek singer and composer whose works range in style from modern pop rock to electronic music.
- Yorgos Kairis: a Greek professional football player who currently plays for AEL Limassol F.C. in the Cypriot First Division.