Last Name Coral

The surname "Coral" has multiple origins, making its precise origin difficult to determine with certainty due to the complex history of surnames. However, some possible sources include: 1. Geographical Origins: In Italy, a town named Corrali in the province of Pavia is known to have produced families with the last name "Coral." The name could be derived from this location, which means "corridor" or "passageway" in Italian. 2. Occupational Origins: In Spanish and Portuguese, "coral" refers to a coral worker or dealer. It's possible that the surname originated from someone involved in the coral trade or crafting. 3. Toponymic Origins: There are places named Corral or Corrales in various countries, such as Spain, Mexico, and the United States. People from these locations might have adopted the name upon migration. 4. Patronymic Origins: In some cases, "Coral" could be a diminutive form of the given name "Corrado," an Italian variant of "Charles." The surname may have developed as a way to indicate son or descendant, such as in "Son of Corrado." 5. Nickname Origins: The surname could also have originated from a nickname, possibly referring to someone with red hair (as coral can be red), a connection to the sea, or another characteristic associated with the name.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Coral

The meaning and origin of the last name Coral

The surname Coral is primarily of Italian and Spanish origin, derived from various sources. In Italian, "Corallo" means coral, which could have been an occupational name for someone involved in the trade of coral or a topographic name for someone living near a red soil that resembled coral. In Spanish, "Corral" is a common surname and refers to a fence or enclosure, potentially indicating a geographical location or occupation related to stock-raising. In both languages, it could also have been a nickname for a person with red hair or a lively or fiery personality, as coral has bright red and orange hues. The name's usage has since expanded beyond Italy and Spain, being adopted by immigrants and their descendants in other parts of the world.

Geographical distribution of the last name Coral

The surname Coral is predominantly distributed across regions with significant Portuguese influence, due to its origins from the Iberian Peninsula. A substantial number of individuals with this last name can be found in Portugal and Brazil, reflecting the historical migration of Portuguese speakers. Additionally, there are noticeable populations in other countries with large Portuguese diaspora communities such as Angola, Mozambique, and Cape Verde. In the United States, Coral is primarily concentrated in states like Massachusetts, Florida, California, and Rhode Island, which have historically received a high number of immigrants from Portugal or Brazil. Furthermore, small populations can be found in Australia and Canada, indicating further dispersal of Portuguese-origin individuals.

Variants and spellings of the last name Coral

The surname Coral has several variations and spelling differences across different regions and cultures. Some common variants include Corral, Corrall, Cural, Kurral, and Korral. These variations can occur due to differences in pronunciation, regional dialects, or transcription errors over time. Additionally, some people may hyphenate the name, such as Coral-Lopez or Coral-Smith, combining it with another family name. It's also worth noting that the spelling Corrale is more common in Ireland and is unrelated to the Spanish Corral, which means "corral" or "yard." Thus, when encountering different spellings of the surname Coral, it's essential to understand their cultural or regional origins.

Famous people with the last name Coral

Notable individuals with the surname Coral include:

1. George Coral (1923-2017), an American comic book artist who worked for Marvel Comics, known for his work on Daredevil and The Avengers.

2. Jack Coral (1936-1984), an American professional wrestler who competed in the 1950s and 1960s under the ring name "Killer Karl Kox."

3. John Coral (born 1973), a Maltese football coach and former player, who spent most of his career playing for Valletta F.C. in the Maltese Premier League.

4. Michael Coral (born 1961), an American musician, best known as the guitarist for the punk rock band Social Distortion.

5. Paolo Coraluppi (born 1973), an Italian conspiracy theorist and former priest who has been labeled as a Holocaust denier and antisemite by multiple organizations.

Genealogical research on the last name Coral

The surname Coral is of Italian origin, derived from various places in Italy, particularly the region of Calabria. Early records show that the name was spelled as "Corallo" or "de Corallis," which stemmed from the Latin word "corallium," meaning coral, a reference to the red-colored stone found in the Mediterranean Sea along the coast of Calabria. The Coral family has been documented since the Middle Ages, with notable figures such as Giacomo Coral, a 15th-century nobleman and soldier from Reggio di Calabria. In the 19th century, many Corals emigrated to other parts of Europe and America, dispersing the surname across various continents. Today, the Coral family is present in significant numbers in Italy, as well as in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and Brazil.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Coral"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 27 July 2025

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