Surname Muhlen - Meaning and Origin
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Muhlen: What does the surname Muhlen mean?
The last name Muhlen is a German and Dutch word that translates literally to "Mill." The surname is likely derived from a person who had a connection to or owned a mill. This would have been a common occupational surname during the Middle Ages, when most mills were operated for grinding grain and milling flour.
In some parts of Germany, Muhlen is used to describe a person who operated a windmill, and in some parts, the word Muhlen is used to describe a person who was responsible for a watermill. In the Netherlands, the spelling of the word is Molen.
In terms of locations, Place names associated with the name Muhlen include Himmelmuhlen in Austria, Muhlen in Bavaria, Muhlenberg in Thuringia, and Muhlen in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
The name Muhlen is relatively uncommon, and is concentrated primarily in Austria, Germany, and the Low Countries of Europe. It has been suggested by some researchers that Muhlen is actually a variant of the name Molt, another old miller's name.
The common variation of Muhlen is "Mullen", which is much more popular in the United States and other English-speaking countries. In some areas of Northern Germany, the name has also been Anglicized to "Mollen."
Order DNA origin analysisMuhlen: Where does the name Muhlen come from?
The last name Muhlen is most commonly found in Germany and the Netherlands today. It is of German origin, and thought to have originally been derived from an occupation associated with milling, from the Central German term ‘mühle’, meaning ‘mill’. It is also associated with Old German names such as Muhlmann, Millen and Mullen.
The Muhlen family can be traced back to the medieval nobility of a duchy in East Frisia. The earliest recorded mention of the name is in 1637, when Christian Muhlen is named on a list of officials of the Barony of Utrecht.
Today, the Muhlen surname is most commonly found in the Netherlands, with some presence in Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. In the United States, Muhlen is mostly found in New York, while in Canada, it is most commonly found in Ontario.
The Muhlen name has been quite popular over the last few centuries, especially in its homeland of Germany and its neighbouring Dutch and Scandinavian countries. It is a family name that continues to be passed down generation to generation, and today carries with it a legacy of a long and proud ancestry.
Variations of the surname Muhlen
Muhlen is a German surname of topographical origin, referring to someone who lived near a mill. This surname has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin, including: Muhl, Muhlenberg, Millen, Muhling, Millener, Millener, Millendorf, Mühlenbach, Mühlenhauer, Mullejen, Mullen, Müller, Mullerin, Müllers, Moeller, Möhler, Möhlen, Möhling, Mühler, Muelen, and Moleman.
Mullen is an Anglicized form of the name, which is likely derived from Muhlen. The name Muhlen is derived from the German word "mühlen," meaning mills. It is thought to refer to someone who lived near or worked in a mill. Möhlen and Möhler are variants of the name, and Möhling is likely derived from Möhlen.
Muhling is a diminutive of the name Muhlen, and Millener is a patronymic surname, indicating “son of Muhlen.” Muhlenberg, Mühlenbach, and Mühlenhauer are all topographical surnames derived from the German word "mühle," which translates to "mill."
The Dutch, Danish, and Swedish versions of the name are Muelen, Moleman, and Mullejen, respectively. All of these forms derived from the German name Muhlen, and they all harken to someone who lived near a mill.
Famous people with the name Muhlen
- Bernd F. Muhlen: an American political scientist and professor of behavioral sciences at the University of Haifa in Israel.
- Joe Muhlen: a German track and field athlete, mainly competing in the decathlon.
- Robert Muhlen: a German chess master.
- Fabian Muhlen: a German bobsledder who has competed since 2007.
- Jon Muhlen: an American professional basketball player for the Atlanta Hawks.
- Ursula Muhlen: a German discus thrower who competed at the 2004 Olympic Games.
- Guy Muhlen: a French former footballer who is the current manager of the French national team.
- Ralf Muhlen: a German Paralympic swimmer and cyclist for more than 25 years.
- Hans-Jorg Muhlen: a German footballer who is currently a manager for SV Darmstadt 98.
- Willem Muhlen: a Dutch equestrian and show jumper who has participated in two Olympic Games.