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Origin of the Surname Talleh
The surname Talleh has a geographical distribution that currently shows a significant presence in various countries, with the highest incidence in Liberia (17), the United States (10), the United Arab Emirates (6), Malaysia (4), and several African and European nations with a lower incidence. This dispersion suggests that, although its presence is notable in different regions, its origin could be linked to a specific historical and cultural context that favored its expansion. The concentration in Liberia, together with its presence in Arab countries and the United States, could indicate an origin in a region with a history of migration, cultural exchanges or colonization, possibly in the context of the Arab world or West Africa.
The current distribution, with presence in countries in Africa, the Middle East, Europe and America, allows us to infer that the surname could have roots in a culture that has had contact with these regions. The presence in Liberia, in particular, may be indicative of an origin in Arab communities or in Middle Eastern migrants who settled in West Africa. The presence in the United States and Europe, in countries such as Germany, France, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, could be due to subsequent migrations, whether for economic, political or diaspora reasons.
In summary, the current geographical distribution of the surname Talleh suggests that its origin is probably linked to regions with a history of cultural and migratory exchanges in the Arab world and West Africa. The presence in Western countries may also reflect modern migration processes, but its original core seems to be in a region with Arab or African influence, given the incidence in Liberia and Middle Eastern countries.
Etymology and Meaning of Talleh
From a linguistic analysis, the surname Talleh does not seem to derive from the typical structures of Spanish patronymic surnames, such as those ending in -ez, nor from Basque, Catalan or Galician roots, given that its form does not coincide with common patterns in those languages. It also does not seem to be a surname of classical Western European origin, but rather its phonetic and orthographic structure suggests a possible root in Semitic or Arabic languages.
The element "Talleh" could be related to words in Arabic or African languages influenced by Arabic, since in Arabic, the root "t-l-h" does not form common words, but some close phonetic variations could be related to terms meaning "light", "brightness" or "flash", if we consider possible phonetic adaptations or transliterations. However, in Arabic, similar words such as "Taliḥ" (تليح) do not have a clear meaning, so this hypothesis requires further analysis.
Another possibility is that "Talleh" is a phonetic adaptation of a term in an African language, especially in regions where Nilo-Saharan or Bantu languages have had contact with Arabic influences. In some African languages, the sounds "tl" or "lh" may appear in proper names or descriptive terms.
As for its classification, the surname Talleh could be considered of toponymic origin if it derives from a place, or of a descriptive nature if it refers to some physical or cultural characteristic. However, given the paucity of specific data, it seems more likely that it is a surname of toponymic origin or related to a given name that, over time, became a surname in Arab or African communities.
In summary, the etymology of Talleh is probably linked to Semitic or African languages, with possible roots in terms that allude to physical characteristics, places or cultural concepts. The lack of typical patronymic or occupational endings in its form reinforces the hypothesis of a toponymic or descriptive origin, possibly adapted to different languages and cultures over time.
History and Expansion of the Talleh Surname
The analysis of the current distribution of the surname Talleh allows us to suggest that its most probable origin is in a region with Arab influence or in West Africa, particularly in Liberia and nearby countries. The significant presence in Liberia, a country with a history of contact with Arab traders and migrants from the Middle East, suggests that the surname may have reached that region through commercial exchanges or migrations in earlier times.
Historically, Liberia was a meeting point for different ethnic and cultural groups, including native African communities and Arab migrants, who arrived in search oftrade and opportunities. The presence of surnames of Arabic origin in Liberia and other parts of West Africa is well documented, and in many cases, these surnames have been transmitted through generations, maintaining their original form or adapting to local languages.
On the other hand, the dispersion of the surname to European and American countries can be explained by modern migration processes, particularly in the context of the African diaspora and international migrations in search of better living conditions. The incidence in the United States, with 10 records, may reflect recent or historical migrations of African or Arab communities that took their surname with them.
In Europe, the presence in countries such as Germany, France, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, although smaller, could be related to migrations in the 20th century, within the framework of migratory movements towards Europe. The presence in Arab countries such as the United Arab Emirates, with 6 incidences, reinforces the hypothesis of an origin in regions with Arab influence, where the surname may have originated or initially spread.
In short, the expansion of the Talleh surname seems to be linked to historical processes of trade, migration and diaspora, which have taken its form to different continents. The presence in West Africa, especially in Liberia, suggests an origin in Arab or African communities with Arab influence, and its subsequent expansion reflects the migratory dynamics of recent decades.
Variants and Related Forms of the Surname Talleh
As for spelling variants, since the current distribution shows a specific form, it is possible that there are regional or historical adaptations of the surname. In Arabic or African contexts, the surname is likely to have been transliterated in different ways, depending on the writing system and local languages.
For example, variants such as "Taleh", "Talah", "Taleḥ" or "Taleh" could exist in historical records or in different countries, reflecting different pronunciations or phonetic transcriptions. The absence of typical patronymic endings in Spanish or European reinforces the hypothesis of an origin in Semitic or African languages, where variations in writing and pronunciation are common.
In Arabic languages, the surname could have related forms that share a root, such as "Taleh" or "Taleḥ", with different vocalizations or spellings. In African regions, there may be related surnames that share a root or meaning, adapted to local languages, but with a common root that refers to a specific concept or place.
In summary, the variants of the surname Talleh probably reflect phonetic and orthographic adaptations in different languages and regions, maintaining a common root that may be linked to a cultural, geographical or familial concept. The existence of these variants would be consistent with the historical processes of migration and intercultural contact in the regions where the surname is currently found.
