Surname Gehling - Meaning and Origin
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Gehling: What does the surname Gehling mean?
The last name Gehling is of German origin and is believed to have derived from the pre-7th century Old German ‘gelingen’ which translates to ‘to succeed.’ It is likely that the name began as a nickname given to someone who was thought to have been especially successful in their endeavors.
The name Gehling is likely to have originally been associated with several towns located in northern German states in and around the region of Lower Saxony. This part of Germany was home to many tribes and clans prior to the establishment of a centralized German government after 1871. It is possible that these early inhabitants of this region had some connection to the origins of the name, but this is impossible to confirm.
While the name Gehling is not particularly common, it can still be found in records from the Middle Ages. Documentation shows that several people bearing the name, such as Prof. Dr. Gehlings Johannes Jodocus and Hans Jacob Gehling, could be found in German archives dating back to the 1500s.
In the modern day, surnames continue to be passed down from generation to generation, representing links to our families’ pasts. Gehling is no exception and those who bear the name can draw upon its rich history and the legacy of success for which it is named.
Order DNA origin analysisGehling: Where does the name Gehling come from?
The last name Gehling is a German-language surname. It is most commonly found in northern German regions, especially in Lower Saxony, predominantly in the North German region known as East Frisia. It is also found in northern parts of the Netherlands, the region of Schleswig-Holstein in Germany, as well as in Hamburg, the capital of Germany. Beyond Germany, the surname can be traced to parts of Eastern Europe, such as Hungary, Lithuania and the Czech Republic.
In the United States, the name Gehling is most commonly found in Pennsylvania, where it is the 467th most common surname. Other locations in the US where you may find the name include New Jersey, Ohio, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, and more.
It is interesting to note that the name Gehling is one of only a few surnames in existence which is derived from a place rather than a personal or family name - the place being a hill called Geltinger in the East Frisian region of Germany.
The name Gehling is obviously not a particularly common surname today, but it is widely distributable across different countries and regions. It is possible to trace the geographical origin of the name back to the northern region of Germany, and it is likely that some of today's holders of this rare and historical surname have relatives still living in the originating countries.
Variations of the surname Gehling
The surname Gehling is derived from the German name Gelgen or Gelli, which means ‘man of Gela’. It is a locational name referring to someone from a geographical area.
The variants of the surname Gehling include Gelg, Geeling, Geelen, Gälgen, Gelling, Gehl, Gehlich, Gehlich, Gehlinger, Gelgen and Güeling.
It is likely that these variants have appeared due to the interchangeable use of letter combinations such as ‘el’, ‘ee’, ‘ge’, ‘gel’ and ‘gü’. These variants were also affected by local dialects, which is why it’s common to see slight alterations to the spelling of the name.
The surnames related to Gehling include Gehl, Geeling, Gälgen, Gelling, Güeling, Gehlich, Gehlich, and Gehlinger.
The name can also be found in the early records of many European countries. For example, records of the name Gehling can be found in the 15th century in Frankfurt am Main (Germany), as well as in the 17th century in Spain.
Overall, the surname Gehling is derived from the German name Gelgen or Gelli, and its variants and related surnames include Gelg, Geeling, Geelen, Gälgen, Gelling, Gehl, Gehlich, Gehlich, Gehlinger, Gelgen and Güeling.
Famous people with the name Gehling
- F. Scott Gehling: World War 2 veteran, widely celebrated for his service and commitment to defending the United States.
- Adriane Gehling: Renowned singer/songwriter who has released several successful albums and tours around the world.
- gnash Gehling: A popular YouTuber and musician, known for his edgy music that fuses indie-pop, hip-hop, and electronic styles.
- Warren Gehling: Professional football player who played for the CFL in the 1990s before retiring in 2000.
- Jodie Gehling: Award-winning Broadway actress who has starred in critically acclaimed musicals and plays, including Wicked and Hair.
- Ivan Gehling: Award-winning film director most well known for his trilogy of horror-science fiction films.
- Richard Gehling: Olympic silver medalist in the heavyweight weightlifting during the 1964 Tokyo games.
- Raymond Gehling: Popular author of sci-fi and fantasy novels, best known for his series "The Chronicles of Aeldar".
- Gloria Gehling: Accomplished artist and sculptor whose works have been featured in many museums and galleries.
- David Gehling: Renowned Christian theologian whose teachings were widely influential during the late 20th century.