Surname Bolen - Meaning and Origin

A Journey of Self-Discovery: Unraveling My Family Roots with iGENEA

Within a radically curious individual lies a desire to link with their ancestral past. For me, the jigsaw puzzle of lineage was pieced together through the iGENEA test which helped learn about my family roots and the diverse history associated with the surname Bolen.

J. Bolen

Bolen: What does the surname Bolen mean?

The last name Bolen is of English origin and is believed to be a variation of the Gaelic surname Bowlen. The Gaelic word “pollan” translates to “small pool” and is believed to have been an occupational name for someone who worked at or around a small body of water. The Bolen surname was consistently found in various spellings in records throughout England, Scotland, and Ireland.

The Bolen name has held great significance to many throughout their history as it has served as a representation of their ancestry, family legacy, and heritage. This importance stretches back for centuries, with the first known spelling of the family name being found in 1379. Bolen families were related to well-known figures in areas such as politics, business, and philanthropy.

The Bolen surname itself signifies a rich legacy grounded in integrity, loyalty, and dependability. It reflects the hardworking, forward-thinking spirit of an individual who is driven by their ambition and resilience. It describes someone who is grounded in their roots, but also looking towards the future and striving towards excellence. This strength of character has been seen throughout generations of the Bolen family and continues to be passed down to this day.

Bolen: Where does the name Bolen come from?

The last name Bolen is very common in the United States today. It is also found in both Europe and Canada, as well as other parts of the world. The United States Census Bureau in 2000 listed the last name Bolen as the 915th most common name in the United States; the data also suggests that the Bolen name is concentrated in the Midwestern and Southern United States.

In the Midwest, the last name Bolen is particularly common in states like Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. In the South, it's far more present in states such as Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, West Virginia, Arkansas, and Alabama. However, the data shows that the top ten states by Bolen population are: Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Michigan, and Alabama.

Bolen appears to be more common among the Caucasian population in the United States, making up around 2% of the white population. It has also been known to be quite common among White Americans of the Appalachian regions, although the 2000 Census Bureau data indicates that it has spread beyond these areas and can now be found in almost every state.

Outside of the United States, the last name Bolen can be found in Europe, primarily in Britain and Ireland. It is also present in Canada, where the 2000 Census Bureau data suggests that it is the 635th most common surname.

Variations of the surname Bolen

The surname Bolen is of German origin, and is derived from the personal name Bolko. The original form of the surname was Bol(e)in, and was first found in Bavaria of the 13th century. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as Bolen are Bolenus, Bollin, Bolling, Bolle, Bulle, Bollmann, Bolin, Bowlen, Bowling, and Bollins.

Bolenus is a variant spelling of the German surname Bolen. It is derived from the personal name Bolko, and first found in Bavaria in the 13th century. Variant spellings of this name include Bolen, Bolin, and Bollin. The spelling Bollin is the most popular in Germany.

Bolling is a German surname derived from the personal name Bolko. Variant spellings include Bolen, Bollin, Bollmann, Bolle, Bolin, Bowling, and Bowlen. It is primarily found in Germany, although some people with the surname have emigrated to the United States.

Bolle is the variant spelling of the German surname Bolen. It is derived from the personal name Bolko and is a variation of the surname Bolenus, Bollin, and Bolling. The spelling is found primarily in Germany, although some people who bear the name have since left the country and emigrated elsewhere.

Bulle is a variant spelling of the German surname Bolen. It is derived from the personal name Bolko and is a variation of the surnames Bolenus, Bollin, and Bolling. The spelling is mainly found in German-speaking countries, such as Germany, Norway, and Austria.

Bollmann is a German surname derived from the personal name Bolko. It is a variation of the surnames Bolen, Bolenus, Bolin, Bollin, Bowlen, Bolle, and Bowling. The spelling is primarily found in German-speaking countries, such as Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein.

Bolin is a variant spelling of the German surname Bolen. It is derived from the personal name Bolko, and is a variant of the surnames Bolenus, Bollin, Bolling, Bolle, Bowlen, and Bowling. The spelling is mainly found in Germany, although some people with the surname have emigrated to the United States.

Bowlen is a German surname derived from the personal name Bolko. It is a variation of the surnames Bolen, Bolenus, Bolin, Bollin, Bollmann, Bolle, and Bowling. The spelling is primarily found in German-speaking countries, such as Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Liechtenstein.

Bowling is a variant spelling of the German surname Bolen. It is derived from the personal name Bolko, and is a variant of the surnames Bolenus, Bollin, Bollmann, Bolinn, Bowlen, and Bolle. The spelling is primarily found in Germany, although some people with the surname have since left the country and emigrated elsewhere.

Lastly, Bollins is a variant spelling of the German surname Bolen. It is derived from the personal name Bolko, and is a variation of the surnames Bolenus, Bolin, Bollin, Bollmann, Bolle, Bowlen, and Bowling. The spelling is mainly found in German-speaking countries, such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

Famous people with the name Bolen

• Jacob Bolen: actor known for his appearances in Containment and The Detour
• Richard Bolen: an American actor featured in films such as The Hunger Games and Battleship.
• Cedric Bolen: a blues music artist and singer-songwriter.
• Ernie Bolen: Grammy Award-winning American country music producer.
• Michael Bolen: television writer and producer, best known for producing shows such as Scrubs and The King of Queens.
• Mark Bolen: Former Vice President of Government and Industry Relations for the National Archery Association, later serving as the US Olympic Director for Archery and Development.
• Robert Bolen: an American film and television editor who has edited films such as Chocolate and The Sorcerer's Apprentice.
• Wayne Bolen: a criminalist in the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, notable for his work on the O.J. Simpson murder case.
• Petra Bolen: A fashion designer who is notable for her work with luxury designer brands, including Dior and Givenchy.
• Lisa Bolen: An American television producer known for her work on shows such as Beverly Hills, 90210 and 7th Heaven.

Other surnames

BolerBolesBolestridgeBoleyn