Posted on: Bernalillo Co. NM Queries Board URL: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/NM/Bernalillo?read=116 Surname: ------------------------- The Place Names of New Mexico, author Robert Julyan has: ceja (general), Though this Spanish word means, literally, "eyebrow", it also can mean "fringe, border," specifically the escarpment or cliff at the edge of a mesa. Cejita is the diminutive. Ceja Del Rio Puerco (Bernalillo, Sandoval, Valencia, W of Albuquerque and Belen). A 70-mile-long escarpment overlooking the Rio Puerco valley to the W, the "eyebrow" stands 500-600 ft. above the valley bottom. Extending E from the escarpment toward Albuquerque and Belen is a grassy flatland often called the West Mesa and sometimes Ceja Mesa; the latter form originated with geologist Vincent C. Kelly. The term Llano de Albuquerque also has been applied to the area. My note: the words in parens are counties, Bernalillo County, Sandoval County, etc. Hope this helps you!! Pat