Surname von Kölln - Meaning and Origin
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von Kölln: What does the surname von Kölln mean?
The last name von Kölln is a German hereditary surname, traceable to the medieval nobility of the region. At the time, feudal lords known as ‘von’, or ‘from’, sometimes adopted a place-name as a family name. This is indicative of the noble origins of the von Kölln family, as it suggests noblemen from a particular place – in this case Kölln. Kölln was a small town near Berlin, founded in the twelfth century and later becoming part of the Berlin metropolitan area.
Today, the von Kölln family is most commonly associated with a branch of the Prussian nobility, known as the House of Königsberg, who served as advisers to the Prussian kings. As well as this connection, the slightest suggestion of a noble origins can also be attributed to the von Kölln surname. In medieval Germany, being a von meant that one was descended from a privileged family with several generations of high-ranking aristocrats among its ancestors. The adoption of the surname von Kölln was an indication of their noble connections.
The von Kölln surname has therefore come to represent both a place and a status, reflecting the noble origins of family members who chose such a surname. It expresses a proud and noble heritage, beautifully captured in the meaning of the surname; that of being ‘from Kölln’.
Order DNA origin analysisvon Kölln: Where does the name von Kölln come from?
The surname von Kölln is relatively rare, but it is still found today in different parts of the world. It is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the north and east of the country. It is also found in Austria, Switzerland and Eastern Europe, particularly in former territories of the German Empire. There are also some von Kölln families in the United States, particularly in Texas, possibly as a result of 19th century German migration.
The origin of the von Kölln name is uncertain, but it is believed to be derived from the old German words ‘köll' meaning ‘blood’ or ‘kinship’ and ‘heim’ meaning ‘place’. The name may have originally referred to a place where a family had migrated from or an area of origin with which the family was associated.
A number of prominent individuals have carried the von Kölln name, including politician Albrecht von Kölln (1786-1867), writer Robert Adam von Kölln (1801-1869), and leading military theorist Helmuth von Moltke von Kölln (1848-1916).
Today, the von Kölln name may no longer be widespread, but the families who carry it still continue to make a positive contribution to their communities all over the world.
Variations of the surname von Kölln
The surname von Kölln is derived from the Westphalian town of Köllen, which gave its name to multiple East Prussian noble families in the Middle Ages. The main variations of the name include von Kollen, von Köllen, von Koelln, and von Koehnen.
von Kölln is the most common spelling of the surname, derived from the German spelling of the name. A variation of the name, von Kollen, is a slightly modified version that changes the spelling to reflect the Dutch pronunciation.
The spelling von Koelln is a slightly different variation of the name, which can be found in certain records in the Netherlands. There is also a variation of the surname, spelled von Koehnen, that can be found in northern Germany and Austria.
In addition to the spelling variations, there are several surnames that are also derived from the original von Kölln name. Variations of the von Kölln surname include Collin, Köllner, Kölle, Kölcke, Kaelin, Kaelinck, Köllon, Kallenbach, Köllinger, Köllig, Colen, Kölen, Kölbel, Kallum, and Kölli.
These variations have been found in different countries throughout Europe. In Germany, the von Kölln surname is usually found in areas such as Prussia, Mecklenburg, Pomerania, and Silesia. In the Netherlands, the variant spelled von Koelln is more commonly found and is especially prevalent in the northern provinces. In Austria, the spelling von Koehnen is more commonly found.
The prevalence of these surnames across Europe is a testament to the influence of the noble families of East Prussia and the legacy they have left.
Famous people with the name von Kölln
- Rashana von Kölln: Rashana is a pop singer from Germany best known for her song Wenn Ich Könnte.
- Georg von Kölln: Georg was a German businessman and politician who served as mayor of Berlin from 1925 to 1933.
- Marie von Kölln: Marie was a German naturalist and botanist who discovered the Aegean clematis flower.
- Emil von Kölln: Emil was a German botanist who was the first to document the effects of pollutants on plant life in the 1920s.
- Max von Kölln: Max was a German lawyer and politician who was a deputy in the Prussian Parliament in the early 1900s.
- Sibylle von Kölln: Sibylle was a German modern dancer who was most active during the Weimar Republic.
- Hans-Werner von Kölln: Hans-Werner was a German teacher and author who wrote extensively about education and nature.
- Jutta von Kölln: Jutta was an Austrian-German photographer and artist who was most active during the 1970s and 1980s.
- Dieter von Kölln: Dieter was a German businessman who served as the President and CEO of Daimler AG from 1997 to 1998.