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Surname Karlin - Meaning and Origin

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Karlin: What does the surname Karlin mean?

The last name Karlin is of German, Dutch, and Jewish origin; its meaning is thought to be either “free man” or “army ruler”. The name is medieval in origin and is derived from the Teutonic word karl, meaning “man”. It appeared in medieval Germany as early as 875 in the form Karl, and by the early 1300s, Karlin was the standard form of the name. Eventually, the suffix “in” was added to create the version Karlin most often seen today.

The Karlin surname was first found in Westphalia in Germany, where the name came from a house of significant influence. It is believed to have originally been a house of nobles who played an influential role in local politics and the aristocracy. The House of Karlin is still in existence today, living in the cities of Cologne and Dusseldorf, two cities of the Westphalian region.

The name Karlin can be seen in Jewish, Eastern European, British, and French societies. In the early 15th century, the earliest form of the name was seen in England in the form of Carlein, which eventually evolved into the current Karlin spelling. During the late 17th and early 18th centuries, the name can be seen most often in surviving records of Baptismal archives in Tessy-sur-Vire in Normandy, France.

The Karlin name has a long and distinguished history, with a meaning that is derived from books of Teutonic words and medieval records. Today, the name is most commonly seen in Europe, North America, and Australia, often spelled Karlin, Carlan, and Karlyon.

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Karlin: Where does the name Karlin come from?

The last name Karlin is most common in Belarus, as well as other parts of Eastern Europe such as Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and Russia. It is also found in some countries in Western Europe, particularly in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland; but less so than in Eastern Europe. Records show that approximately 13,000 people around the world are currently bearing the name “Karlin”.

The Italian version of the name, “Carlini”, is quite common in Italy, where it is the 486th most popular name. The name is also quite common in Israel, largely due to large Jewish diaspora from Eastern Europe. It is the 151st most popular name in the country.

In the United States and Canada, Karlin is a relatively rare name. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there are approximately 625 people named Karlin in the United States, making it the 3,666th most frequent surname in the country. In Canada, about 171 people are known to bear the name, making it the 15,752nd most popular surname.

Despite its rarity, the surname is more common in North America than in other parts of the world; that probably explains why it was chosen by the three Korshunov brothers as their group’s moniker when they formed the influential Korshunov brothers pop rock band.

Variations of the surname Karlin

Karlin is a patronymic surname of German or Jewish origin meaning "son of Karl". It may also be derived from the Italian and Spanish word carlino, a small black dog, which ultimately came from the Latin word canis for "dog". Karlin is a variant spelling of the more frequently seen surname Karlin, although other spellings have been recorded. Karline, Karliner, Karlyn, Karlen and Karlins are all variations of the same name. Carling, Carlen and Carlon can also be forms and may be connected to the same origin.

Karline can be of German origin, derived from the Old German masculine name Karl. Karl, meaning “strong” or “free man” was popular for centuries and many variations of the name originate from it. Carlan, Carlean, Carleton and Carlton are all English variations of the same surname root.

Karlyn is of English or Irish origin, derived from the byname Carlan, possibly meaning "little Charles". Other variations related to this form include Karlon and Karlan. Karlynn, Karlon and Karlan can also be variations of the same origin.

Karlin is considered a Jewish surname, as are the variants Karline, Karliner and Karlyn. The word is translated from the Yiddish word kar, meaning "dear" or "precious". The Ashkenazi Jewish surname Karlin or Karlynn is derived from the term of endearment as well.

The surname Carling is English and is derived primarily from the Old English byname Ceorl, meaning "peasant or small landholder". Other English variations of the same root include Carleton and Carlton.

Carleen and Carlene are Irish variations of the same surname. Irish surnames with the suffix “een” usually indicate that the person was named for an ancestor, either a grandfather or father. In this case, the ancestor’s first name was likely Carl.

Despite the possibility that Karlin may originate from several different sources, they all have the same meaning: “son of Karl”.

Famous people with the name Karlin

  • Jeff Karlin: Jeff Karlin is an American television writer and producer. He is the creator and showrunner of the Emmy-nominated animated series Bob’s Burgers.
  • Lee Karlin: Lee Karlin is a four-time Emmy Award-nominated film and television producer. He has produced notable works on film and television such as Star Trek: The Next Generation, I Love You Man, and Lip Sync Battle.
  • Angelo Karlin: Angelo Karlin is an American screenwriter and producer known for his work on such TV shows as Law & Order and NCIS: Los Angeles.
  • Rod Karlin: Rod Karlin is a renowned American photographer. He has exhibited his works in several galleries throughout the United States, as well as at the Museum of Modern Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Brooklyn Museum.
  • Boris Karlin: Boris Karlin is a Russian-American music composer, sound engineer, and producer, widely known for his works on critically acclaimed TV series Homeland, Suburban Shootout, and SNL Korea.
  • Adam Karlin: Adam Karlin is a popular Irish singer and songwriter. He has sold millions of records and continues to tour worldwide.
  • Steve Karlin: Steve Karlin is an American financial planner and New York Times bestselling author. His books, such as Sources of Strength: The 9 Principles to Live Your Best Life and Personal Financing: The Basics and Beyond, have both become modern bestsellers.
  • Jamie Karlin: Jamie Karlin is an American actor, writer, and comedian, as well as a writer on the Emmy-nominated television show Bob’s Burgers.
  • Alan Karlin: Alan Karlin is an American entertainment lawyer and executive. He has negotiated deals on such films and television shows as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Legally Blonde, and Rosewood.

Other surnames

KarliKarlicekKarliczekKarlidagKarlikKarlingKarlitschek

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