Surname Siglen - Meaning and Origin

Siglen: What does the surname Siglen mean?

The last name Siglen is likely of Germanic origin and is found today primarily in Germany, the United States, and other countries of Germanic descent. The name’s origin is derived from the German personal name Sigil, which first appeared in the 8th century and is thought to be derived from the Latin word sigillum, meaning “sign” or “symbol.”

The earliest German references to the name Sigil show it was a popular name among knights and merchants in the 12th and 13th centuries. By the 14th century, Sigil had become a surname throughout much of Germany. There is also some speculation that Sigien, a Southern German variation of the name, may also be related.

Today, families with the surname Siglen tend to be members of respected middle- or upper-class households. It has become focused in regions of settlements of Germanic people, including England, the United States, and contemporary Germany. The further back in time one looks, the more the spelling variations become varied—from Siglen and Siglain to Sigilin and Sigelli.

In recent centuries, the name has come to be associated with success and prosperity reflecting the skills and ambition of the individuals who held it. Siglen is a name that has an impressive pedigree, carried by people who have a long-standing history of being part of the Germanic culture and its values.

Siglen: Where does the name Siglen come from?

The last name Siglen is most commonly found in Europe, with the majority of its modern-day bearers living in Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Siglen is a Germanic name, derived from words meaning “victorial power” or “person of victory.” The name was most likely first adopted as a surname by one or more people who had performed some heroically victorious feat in battle.

The name spread throughout all of Central Europe during the 13th century and eventually became more popular in Germany than in other parts of Europe. During the 16th to 19th centuries, the surname spread even further, first to Scandinavia, then to the U.S., Canada, and around the world.

Today, most of the people who bear the last name Siglen are of German, Dutch, Belgian, or Scandinavian descent, though it has seen new variants develop across the globe. It is most commonly found in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and Scandinavian countries.

Based on records taken from genealogy websites, the last name appears to be most common in Northern Germany, especially Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern regions. There are also large numbers of Siglen family name holders in the United States and Canada, specifically in the Northern states and Western provinces. In the U.S., the name is most commonly found in the states of Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Texas, and Wisconsin.

Variations of the surname Siglen

The surname Siglen is believed to be of German and Austrian origin. While it is most commonly spelled Siglen, there are also variants and alternate spellings of this surname that can be encountered in records and documents.

Variant Spellings:

Siegeln, Seegeln, Siegellen, Segellen, Siegen, Siggelen, Suglen.

Surnames with Similar Origins:

Segl, Segell, Sigl, Seggelmann, Segel, Seigel, Sigelmann, Siegelmann, Sickel, Löwengart, Ferrari, and de la Siegel.

It is believed that Siglen derives from the Middle High German word “sigel” meaning “shield”, and that the bearers of the name likely had an ancestor who was a shield-maker or shield-bearer. Alternatively, it may be derived from the Old High German word “secelo” meaning “district”, and thus may have been borne by someone from a particular district or region.

The variants and alternate spellings of the surname Siglen stem from the numerous dialects of Middle High German and Old High German, as well as from the various languages that were spoken in the areas in which the name was held. Geographic mobility and migration during the Middle Ages and later centuries has led to the formation of these particular variants and surnames.

The surname Siglen is fairly rare, and it is possible that many of its variants and alternate spellings are simply regional variations. However, it is also possible that some of the variant spellings and surnames are distinct surnames that developed independently, or have entirely different origins. In any case, the variants and alternate spellings of Siglen serve as a reminder of the complexity of language and the power of changing traditions.

Famous people with the name Siglen

• Kim Siglen: Award-winning Norwegian abstract artist
• Cecile Siglen: French media personality, magazine editor, journalist, and radio/television host
• Michael Siglen: Swedish Professional Footballer
• Kim Siglen: Norwegian Music Producer, Musician, Composer and DJ
• Erik Siglen: Norwegian Footballer
• Fred Siglen: Norwegian Politician
• Pål Siglen: Norwegian Football Manager
• Mike Siglen: American Politician, Member of the Minnesota House of Representatives
• Sigrid Siglen: Norwegian Professional Golfer
• Magne Siglen: Norwegian Cross-Country Skier

Other surnames

SigleSigler