Surname Kolen - Meaning and Origin
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Kolen: What does the surname Kolen mean?
The last name Kolen is of Dutch origin and translates to "coalman". It was traditionally given to professionals who worked in the coal industry. It may also be a reference to a location known for its coal deposits.
This name is often found in areas of modern Holland, Belgium, Germany and the American Midwest. It is a fairly common name in both these regions.
The Kolen surname typically indicates a family of a lower social class. It likely denotes strong hardworking people, a disposition that was necessary for their line of work.
The name has seen numerous spellings, as was common in immigrant surnames. Some popular variants include Kollan, Kallen, Kollen, Koolen, and Kaulen.
The Kolen family likely has a rich history that may include stories of adventure and difficult times. The name has been passed down through the generations and still carries the same meaning. The Kolen surname has the potential to carry on for generations to come.
Order DNA origin analysisKolen: Where does the name Kolen come from?
The surname Kolen is most commonly found today in central Europe, particularly in the countries of Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. The name is believed to originate from southern Germany and Austria, although its true origins are unknown. It generally appears as Kölle in German and Kolle/Kollen in Czech.
The Kolen surname is quite rare outside of its traditional European home countries, though it has started appearing more frequently in North America, especially the United States, as recent immigrants to the continent have brought it with them from their homeland.
The exact number of Kolen’s around the world today is difficult to determine, though statistics sourced from the US Bureau of Census suggest that the family name is present in around 13,400 households in the United States, approximately 1,100 households in Germany, and 800 households in the Czech Republic. Overall, estimates place its global population at around 17,000 individuals, spread across the globe.
Given its relatively low population size, it’s likely that most Kolen families around the world today can trace their ancestry back to the same small group of precursors, who moved and settled in new countries at some point in history. As such, members of the Kolen family living in disparate parts of the world today are likely related in some way.
Variations of the surname Kolen
Kolen is a Dutch surname usually found in the Netherlands and Belgium. The spelling variants of Kolen include Koolen, Koolen, Koulen, Kool and Koele. The surname is derived from the word 'koel', which means 'cold'.
In many cases, people bearing the Kolen surname are united by a common ancestor. For example, the Koolen and Kolen families of Amsterdam are descended from one particular ancestor, Klaas Jansz Koolen, who lived in the city in the late 16th century.
The Koolen family may also have branches in Germany and Austria, as the spelling could have been altered in these countries. It is possible that some of the Koolen family members emigrated to other countries over the centuries; the name Koolen can also be found in the US.
Surnames with the same origin as Kolen include Kolman, Kooijman, Koolman, Koolen, Koelman, Kochman, Koole, Kooiman, Kooistra, Koelsch and Koekkoek. In most cases, people bearing these surnames were living in the Netherlands in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The names Kochman and Kochmann have predominantly German roots, and the name Koelsch is also German in origin. Koekkoek is Dutch, and was derived from the Dutch word for 'cookie'.
Thus, the surname Kolen has several variants, spellings and related surnames with the same origin, mostly due to emigration or the adoption of a different spelling in other countries.
Famous people with the name Kolen
- Jamila Kolen: Politician, Winner of the 2018 European Parliament election from Slovenia
- Sude Kolen: Controversial YouTuber from Turkey
- Randy Kolen: Former American Professional Basketball Player from The United States
- Bart Kolen: Former Professional Volleyball Player from The Netherlands
- Johan Kolen: Dutch Writer/Journalist
- Gertjan Kolen: Dutch Footballer
- Sappho Kolen: Dutch Actress
- Sergio Kolen: Executive Director of Business in The Netherlands
- Peter Kolen: Dutch Actor
- Johanna Kolen: Popular Dutch Singer