User:Sdkiraly/sandbox

Kiraly Crest. Letters comprising the surname are visible in the crest. Design by American stain glass artist Erin Farb.

The surname Kiraly is predominately found in communities across Hungary, followed by Austria, Slovenia, and Switzerland in terms of frequency per million of citizens. Origins of the surname include the Slavonic word of the late 1600s meaning "king". It is also a middle high German word, used as a term of endearment, for curly headed individuals.

Redefined

In the United States, the surname was redefined by Stacia Falat and Dominic Volonnino, both who took on the Kiraly surname at their wedding on July 9, 2011. The name was an amalgamation of Gaelic words that represent virtues important to the couple. They chose two virtues: kindness and social justice. Kiraly is not inherently an Irish last name. However, since both Stacia and Dominic are Irish, they sought Gaelic translations for these two virtues.

The Gaelic translation for kindness is Cineáltas or Kinnaltah (the Anglicanized spelling), which embodies tenderness and concern for others, goodness, and charitable behavior.

Social justice refers to creating a society or institution that is based on the principles of equality and solidarity, and that recognizes the basic human rights and dignity of every person. The closest Gaelic translation to this concept is Grástúil or graciousness, which embodies compassion, sympathy, understanding, and being humane and merciful.

Stacia Falat and Dominic Volonnino combined the Gaelic words Kinnaltah and Grastuil to come up with part of the surname...KIRA. The "LY" in Kiraly was borrowed from the surname Heile. Bernie and Stasy Heile, Stacia's grandparents, who celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on April 14, 2011. The combined name became KIRALY.

Pronunciation

This pronunciation of Kiraly differs by region. The American pronunciation of Kiraly is "Keer-ah-lee." The accent falls on the first syllable. The Hungarian pronunciation is kiraːj, used by Gábor Király.

Kiralys in the United States

Small pockets of Kiraly families exist around the world, primarily in Hungary, but most in the United States are found in Cleveland, Ohio, the state of Connecticut, and in Alexandria, Virginia.

Notable Kiralys

• Gábor Király, Hungarian footballer
• Karch Kiraly, American volleyball player
• Stacia Kiraly, Program Associate, Winrock International
• Dominic Kiraly, Senior Program Officer, United States Institute of Peace

References

• World Names Public Profiler
• The Internet Surname Database
• House of Names