Surname Selling - Meaning and Origin

Selling: What does the surname Selling mean?

The last name Selling does not have a specific known meaning derived from occupations, geographical features, or personal characteristics, unlike other surnames. It is likely a geographical surname, which means it possibly originated from a specific location. For instance, there is a village named Selling in Kent, England. Historically, families often took their surname from the name of a town or village where they lived. So, the surname Selling might have been adopted by individuals or families living in or near this village. Additionally, the surname could also have derived from a variant of the personal name "Selwin". It's important to note that surname meanings can vary significantly based on cultural, geographical, and historical contexts. As surnames continuously evolved, they took different forms and meanings, often subject to oral transmission's inaccuracies. Therefore, tracing back the exact meaning of a surname can be challenging.

Selling: Where does the name Selling come from?

Today, the last name Selling is most commonly found throughout the Scandinavia countries of Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, as well as Finland. It is also present in many other parts of Europe, and can also be found in some parts of North America. It is estimated that the surname Selling is borne by nearly 20,000 people worldwide.

Due to its frequency in these countries, it is likely that the origin of the name Selling is Scandinavian. It is thought to have derived from the Old Norse personal name Sellani, which means 'son of Selland'. Selland was a pre-Christian name composed of the elements sæl meaning ‘sea’ or ‘good luck’ and andi, a suffix meaning ‘son of'. As such, the surname may have been adopted to imply the son of a sea-dweller or lucky person.

In addition, it could have been assumed by someone who lived by a body of water or by someone who was thought to have received good fortune in life. It is also possible that it originated as a habitational name from a house or village near a body of water, most likely a shore of the ocean, sea, or large lake. The name could also have been adopted to denote someone who had travelled the seas, as sailors often travelled in the Scandinavian region in ancient times.

Overall, the surname Selling is very common today, particularly in the Scandinavian countries where it has its origins. From its Norse origins to its occasional use in North America, it is a testament to the influence of ancient customs in today’s world.

Variations of the surname Selling

The surname Selling has many variants in spelling, including Sellin, Sellan, Sellon, Seeling, Seling, and Sellen. It is also commonly seen as a spelling variant with the letter 'w' added to the end, comprising Sellinw, Sellonw, and Sellenw.

It is believed to have first originated in the area of Schleswig-Holstein, in the northern part of Germany, and is thought to be a toponymic surname. This means that it came from the name of the place the family originally hailed from.

As with many surnames, the spelling of Selling has evolved over time, so there are many other versions that people may not readily recognize as the same surname.

Variants like Sellonius, Sellitt, and Sellot are less common and are more likely to stem from the surname being passed down through distance relatives with slightly different spellings.

Other surname variations of Selling also exist in Britain and Ireland. Sillins and Sillens are found in England, and Sylons in Ireland. In Scotland, the spellings Seeling, Sellon, and Sillis are quite common, as are Sellin and Sellen.

Surnames which share a similar etymology to Selling include Selland, Sellandt, Sellardi, and Sellards.

Overall, the surname Selling is quite malleable and can be interpreted in a variety of ways depending on the region and history of the family.

Famous people with the name Selling

• David Selling: British actor, writer, and director. He starred in multiple projects, including appearances in Spectre, Hail, Caesar!, The Five, and BBC's Silent Witness.
• Chris Selling: British comedian and actor, known for his appearances in BBC's Not Going Out and The Great Outdoors.
• Mary Selling: Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and investigative reporter, she is well known for her work with The Washington Post.
• Jillian Selling: American decathlete and Olympic athlete who represented Team USA in the 2016 Summer Olympics.
• Jimmy Selling: British actor, most noted for his roles on British soap operas EastEnders and Emmerdale.
• Zachary Selling: American actor, most well known for his roles on the popular television shows Bull and Code Black.
• Martin Selling: Swedish actor and voice actor, best known for his roles in the Swedish films Hot Dog and Thelma.
• Donald Selling: Canadian comedian and actor, known for his appearances on the television shows The Drew Carey Show and Mad About You.
• Anthony Selling: British-born actor who has made appearances on multiple television shows, including the Australian series Love Child.
• Margaret Selling: Canadian writer and entrepreneur, she is best known for her popular bookRetire Inspired.

Other surnames

SellifantSellin