Surname Köllen - Meaning and Origin
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Köllen: What does the surname Köllen mean?
The last name Köllen is a German surname. As such, it is likely derived from the German word "Köln," which means "coal." This suggests that the original bearer of the name may have had something to do with this fuel source. Alternatively, the name could also have originated from the Middle High German word "kollen," which was used to describe a bin or vessel used to carry coal. It was common for many names to comes from occupations and objects during the Middle Ages, and this could be the case with the Köllen surname.
The name Köllen may be first found in the area of Munich in Bavaria, Germany. German records suggest that the Köllen family had members living in this area as far back as 1650. Since then, the name has spread to other regions both in Europe, and most recently, to the United States.
The Köllen surname could also be of Dutch origin, derived from the shortened form of the Dutch name Bonnekol. This name is derived from the Dutch words "bonte" and "coel," which mean "many colors." People with this name were likely known for being diverse and well-rounded. The Köllen surname could also have its origins from other sources, including topographical, locational, or even occupational.
No matter what its origin may be, the name Köllen is a proud one, and its significance is important in the German-American community. It is a link to the past, an enduring name that binds families across the generations.
Order DNA origin analysisKöllen: Where does the name Köllen come from?
The last name Köllen is a German name, primarily found in the regions of northern and eastern Germany. It can also be found in parts of the German diaspora in Austria, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium and the United States.
Outside of the German-speaking countries, the name is uncommon but there has been a significant rise of it in the United States in recent years. There has been an influx of German-speaking people from East and Central Europe that have made their mark in the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York. Many other places throughout the country have seen this name migrate as well, including California, Florida, Texas, and Massachusetts.
The meaning of Köllen derives from the word "kölle" which means "pure." This dates back to a person with a fastidious approach to business transactions and personal ethics. It is likely that the Köllen surname has managed to be so widespread because its holders had a strong ethical code and were able to find success with their dealings.
Today, the Köllen surname is still on the rise, showing that its holders live by the same concept as their ancestors. As such, it can be found in many of the places that have seen the German-speaking migration in recent years including the Eastern and Central European countries as well as the United States.
Variations of the surname Köllen
The surnames Köllen, Kollan, Kollen, Kahn, Can, Kohn, Kana, Collen and Koelen all stem from the Germanic name Kohl (also spelled Kohlh), a shortened form of "Konrad". The name originates from the Ancient Germanic word "Kuhl" which means "bold" or "courageous". The modern spelling of Köllen is the most common of the variants.
The surname Köllen is particularly common in Germany and the Netherlands, and can be found throughout Central Europe. It was adopted as a surname by many Jewish families in the nearby countries of Poland, Russia, and Lithuania.
The spelling of this name has changed over the years. Also, English translations or anglicizations of Köllen include Collen, Colan, and Kalen. Additionally, English-speaking immigrants may have changed their name to sound closer to the anglicized surnames, such as Cohen, Kahn, Kahan, and Kohan.
In Eastern Europe, a common variant of the Köllen surname is often spelled Kolen or Kolian. The spelling of Köllen is also sometimes romanized to make it more phonetically understandable, such as Kohlen or Kullen. This is particularly common in Scandinavian countries and in Russia.
Finally, Köllen is also sometimes anglicized as Kolon or Kolan. This is seen most often in the United States, where immigrants may have dropped the original German spelling.
In summary, the Köllen surname is found throughout Europe and is also known by similar spellings or variants. These include Kollan, Kollen, Kahn, Can, Kohn, Kana, Collen, Koelen, Cohen, Kahan, Kohan, Kolen, Kolian, Kohlen, Kullen, Kolon, and Kolan.
Famous people with the name Köllen
- Christian Köllen: Christian Köllen is a German composer and pianist, best known for his works which combine classical, jazz and cabaret music.
- Johannes Köllen: Johannes Köllen is the creator and initiator of Third Ear Sound, a record label for electronic music and sound art.
- Rolf Köllen: Rolf Köllen was a German organist and composer best known for his works with expressionist characteristics.
- Sebastian Köllen: Sebastian Köllen is a German electronic musician who is part of the group Well tommer.
- Caro Köllen: Caro Köllen is a German jazz singer and composer.
- Max Köllen: Max Köllen was a German journalist, editor, and author of the book “Die großen Geheimnisse,” which discussed secret societies in the 19th century.
- Christine Köllen: Christine Köllen is an Austrian singer who is part of the vocal jazz duo, Köllen / Reuter.
- Robert Köllen: Robert Köllen is a German journalist and novelist.
- Sigrid Köllen: Sigrid Köllen is a German film director, screenwriter, producer and author, best known for her feature films, “The Secret of the Village,” “Who is Petra?” and “Bloody Red Years.”
- Sebastian Köllen: Sebastian Köllen is a German painter and sculptor, and is the creator of contemporary art works such as “The Floating Sorrow” and “The Garden of Songs.”