Surname Jelen - Meaning and Origin
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Jelen: What does the surname Jelen mean?
The last name Jelen is of Slavic origin, derived from the word for “deer” or “stag”. It is believed that the original bearers of the name were a family of hunters. The name is most commonly found in Slovenian and Croatian populations, primarily dispersed throughout Croatia, Austria, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. Some bearers of the last name may also be found in Serbia, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Hungary, and other countries with a Slavic influence.
Variations of the surname include Jelin, Jelein, Jelenak, Jelenić, Jelenčić, Jelenko, and Jelenik.
The surname can be found in historical records from the Middle Ages. In example, a record from 1253 mentions a man named Jacobus Jelin in the village of Skofja Loka in modern-day Slovenia. In Croatia, the surname first appeared in 1383 in Dubrovnik.
The surname can also be found in German-speaking countries, as its spelling was adapted to suit the region. Variations found in these countries include Jeilen, Jælg, Jaelen, and Yellen.
Today, the surname is still a common one in its countries of origin. It continues to represent its Slavic roots, signifying the strength and perseverance of those who carry it.
Order DNA origin analysisJelen: Where does the name Jelen come from?
Today, the surname Jelen is most commonly found in Central and Eastern Europe, particularly in Croatia and Slovenia. This is due to its Slavic origin. Records of the name extend back hundreds of years to the 16th century when surnames began to become more commonplace.
In Croatia, the surname Jelen has been in use since the 16th century among noble families in northern Croatia. It is derived from the word "jelen," meaning "deer," and was likely originally used as a toponymic surname for someone who lived near a deer habitat.
In Slovenia, the Jelen surname has a slightly different origin. In this case, it is derived from the old Slavic personal name Jelena, which is a form of the name Helen. It is likely that the Jelen surname in Slovenia was adopted as a patronymic (or adopted from elsewhere) after the personal name became popular.
Due to historical migration patterns, it can also be found in other countries such as the USA, Canada, Mexico, and various countries in South America. Records show that Jelen families emigrated from Slovenia to North America in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Today, it is estimated that there are around 500-2000 Jelen families living in North America.
Variations of the surname Jelen
The surname Jelen is of Slavic origin and can be found in various forms in different countries. Variants of the name include 'Yelyen', 'Jeleń', and 'Jelin'. In the Czech Republic, the surname is found as 'Jelínek' or 'Jelínek', while in Slavic countries such as Poland, it is commonly found as 'Jeleń' or 'Jeleń'.
In Hungary, versions of the surname include 'Jelenyei', 'Jelenyi', 'Jelinek', 'Jelenecz', and 'Jelenits'. In Croatia, one variant of the surname is 'Jelenović' or 'Jelenović'. In Serbia, a version used is 'Jelenović' or 'Jelenovic', while in Slovak, the surname is found as 'Jelinek' or 'Jeleň'.
The surname can also be found in other countries, such as Germany, where variations include 'Jelenek', 'Jelinek', and 'Jelonek', or Austria, where variants are used such as 'Jelinek', 'Jelenek', and 'Jelenko' or even in Slovenia, where the surname is commonly found as 'Jelinek', 'Jelenko', 'Jelenek', or 'Jelin'.
Therefore, the surname Jelen has many variations in different countries and even multiple spellings in some regions. However, they all originate from the same Slavic name.
Famous people with the name Jelen
- Jessica Jelen: American actress from the television shows, iZombie and The 100.
- Marie Jelen: Czech actress and television personality.
- Jim Jelen: American actor and comedian best known for his roles in Parks and Recreation, American Dad, and Last Man Standing.
- Lothar Jelen: German Actor in such films as The Last Frontier and Band of Brothers.
- Tony Jelen: American musician and vocalist who has performed with several bands, including the Van Jelen Project.
- Ivana Jelen: Czech violinist and composer and leader of the award winning group, Charmone.
- Zoran Jelen: Serbian journalist and author who has received numerous awards for his work.
- Jürgen Jelen: German mathematician who made significant contributions to abstract algebra and number theory.
- Packo Jelen: Croatian-born Australian soccer player who has spent time playing for both the Australian Under 20s team and the senior Australian team.
- make Jelen: Slovenian sculptor, whose work has been displayed internationally, including in Berlin, Prague, and The Hague.