Surname Ceulen - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Ceulen: What does the surname Ceulen mean?
The last name Ceulen is of Dutch, German, and Frisian origin. It is associated with the Dutch word “kelen”, which means abundance, and was most likely used as a surname to denote a person who owned a great deal of land or property. The Dutch/German translation is "von Ceulen".
Ceulen is a habitational name, derived from a place of the same name. The original place name is probably derived from the Old Dutch word “kel”, meaning a shelter, a port, or a creek. This was common along the Rhine delta, most notably near the Dutch city of Amsterdam, where many of the Ceulen surname holders have come from.
The Ceulen name may also be associated with the Irish surname Cullen, which has a similar origin, and means “leper”. As lepers were once a despised group in Europe, this may indicate a family's dedication to protecting and caring for those that were rejected by society.
As with many surnames, the meaning and origin of Ceulen can change depending on regional and cultural origins of the individual who carries the name. What is certain is that this name is steeped in history and has a unique story to tell.
Order DNA origin analysisCeulen: Where does the name Ceulen come from?
The last name Ceulen is most commonly found in the Netherlands, where it is of Dutch origin. It is also present in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, but in much smaller numbers.
The surname itself is likely linked to the Dutch village of Cuilenborg, which is in the province of Noord-Brabant. This village has an estimated population of roughly 800 people and was most likely first established in the 15th or 16th century.
It is believed that the surname Ceulen likely derived from the Dutch word “cuyl,” which was an ancient term used to refer to a type of arable farm land.
Those who bear the last name Ceulen are widely distributed throughout the Netherlands, with many native-born immigrants living in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Family members of the surname Ceulen have made significant contributions to the science, arts, and business fields in various countries.
As a name of Dutch origin, the surname Ceulen is not as common in countries outside of the Netherlands compared to other last names. However, its lineage and depth of history remain evident and those who carry the name can trace it back to its source with relative ease.
Variations of the surname Ceulen
The surname Ceulen is most commonly spelled “Ceulen” or “Cöulen”, but it can also be spelled “CöLlén”, “Cölen”, “Cöllen”, “Cölln”, “Cölle”, “Cöln”, “Cölen” and “Cöllen”. These variants all originate from a Germanic patronymic meaning “related to Cöl”. The surnames Cöl, Cölling, Cöllings and Cölleke are variants of the same origin.
The Dutch surname Keulen, also spelled "Keulen" or "Keulens", is also related to the surname Ceulen. It is derived from the Dutch word kuyl which means “well” or “pool”. The surnames Keulen, Keuling, Keulings, Keulink, Keulinken, Keull and Koulen are variants with the same origin.
Despite the wide range of spellings and variants, the surname Ceulen is quite rare in the United States. People bearing any of the variants of this name today likely have German or Dutch roots, and their ancestors probably originated from parts of Germany, the Netherlands, and/or Belgium.
Famous people with the name Ceulen
- Jeroen Ceulen: Dutch artist, specialized in abstract art.
- John Ceulen: Dutch football player, who has played for Dutch teams such as RKC Waalwijk, FC Utrecht and Amsterdamsche FC.
- Francis Ceulen: Dutch businessman, acting as Managing Director at many companies including the Ceulen electronics company.
- Pieter Ceulen: Dutch comedian and author, known for writing the books I am not Van Gogh and Where did it all go Wrong.
- Bob Ceulen: Dutch movie producer and actor, specialising in visually stunning stories.
- Muriel Ceulen: Dutch economist, lecturer at the Erasmus University Rotterdam in international finance and development.
- Herman Ceulen: Dutch professional golf player, having won several major titles in the Netherlands.
- Layla Ceulen: Dutch singer-songwriter and actress.
- Jan Ceulen: Dutch medical doctor, specialising in tropical diseases.
- Wouter Ceulen: Dutch composer, known for his contributions to modern classical music.