Surname Gehlenbeck - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'G'
Gehlenbeck: What does the surname Gehlenbeck mean?
The last name Gehlenbeck is of German origin and is a topographic name for someone who lived at the end of a valley. The name is derived from the Middle High German word ghelen, meaning “valley”, and beck, a diminutive of bach, meaning “stream”. The name is generally found in the old Germanic provinces of Westphalia and Bavaria.
Gehlenbeck is a rather common name in both Germany and the US. Immigration records dating back to 1878 show that the first Gehlenbecks to arrive in America were three brothers who settled in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1880, a family by the name of Gehlenbeck could be found lodging in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Today, the Gehlenbecks are scattered around the US, and there are Gehlenbecks living in Canada, France, and the Netherlands as well. Most of these Gehlenbecks are descendants of the original immigrants from Germany, though some of them likely hail from Germany's geographic neighbours.
Nowadays, the name Gehlenbeck is typically associated with hardworking and independent people who know what they want and will work to get it. The family is also remembered for their dedication to the land, and their strong sense of community. The Gehlenbecks have overcome many hardships and obstacles over the years and have built a powerful support network for their extended family.
Order DNA origin analysisGehlenbeck: Where does the name Gehlenbeck come from?
The last name Gehlenbeck is found mainly in Germany today. It is both a very ancient surname as well as a relatively rare one in the modern age. Records indicate that the first documented use of the name Gehlenbeck was in the early 13th century in Germany.
Throughout the Middle Ages, the name spread across Germany. Today, the majority of the Gehlenbeck population resides in the German states of Berlin, Lower Saxony, Brandenburg, and North Rhine-Westphalia. The city of Detmold, where the earliest Gehlenbeck records were discovered, is located in the region of North Rhine-Westphalia and is the historical epicenter of the family.
The name Gehlenbeck has also seen some migrations beyond the homeland. Emigrants from Germany have carried it to countries such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, Spain and France. Furthermore, there are some reports that suggest descendents of the Gehlenbeck family may exist in Ireland and Australia as well.
Though rare, the last name Gehlenbeck has endured for centuries. While the modern population is dispersed across a number of countries, the family serves as a reminder of German history and culture.
Variations of the surname Gehlenbeck
Gehlenbeck is a German surname derived from the name of a village located in Westphalia, Germany. The different variants, spellings and surnames of this same origin are Gehlendbeck, Gehlencke, Gehlendbock, Gelendbeck, Gelencke, Gelendbock, and Gelencbek. Ending the word with -beck, -bock and -cke were ways to distinguish between the same family members.
The different variants of Gehlenbeck became popularized in other European countries as towns across Europe made use of the suffix -beck. In What is now Poland, the Gelencke surname is common and in Switzerland the Gelencbak surname is popular. In Denmark, spellings like Gehlendbek and Ghelendbak occur. The spelling Gelendbeck was popularized in The Netherlands. Meanwhile, in Austria, derivatives Gelendböck and Gelenbeck are the most common.
In the United States, the Gehlenbeck is the most common spelling of the surname. Although the spelling is the same the pronunciation may have changed slightly over the centuries and vary both within German and in other countries. Some common alternatives are Geelentbeck, Gehlendbek, Gehlendbak, Ghelendbak, Ghelendbek, Gelendbeek and Gelencbek.
In conclusion, the different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Gehlenbeck consist of Gehlendbeck, Gehlencke, Gehlendbock, Gelendbeck, Gelencke, Gelendbock, Gelencbek, Geelentbeck, Gehlendbek, Gehlendbak, Ghelendbak, Ghelendbek, Gelendbeek and Gelencbek.
Famous people with the name Gehlenbeck
- Marie Gehlenbeck: German celebrity model, model and entrepreneur.
- Victoria Gehlenbeck: German media personality.
- Friederike Gehlenbeck: German actor.
- Johannes Gehlenbeck: German Musician.
- Renate Gehlenbeck: German television presenter, model and entrepreneur.
- Timm Gehlenbeck: German photographer and filmmaker.
- Günter Gehlenbeck: German actor.
- Armin Gehlenbeck: German musician.
- Wolfgang Gehlenbeck: German journalist and author.
- Bernd Gehlenbeck: German actor.
- Thomas Gehlenbeck: German animation director.
- Eva Gehlenbeck: German actor.
- Dieter Gehlenbeck: German Comedian.
- Heinz Gehlenbeck: German director and cinematographer.
- Erwin Gehlenbeck: German actor and director.
- Frank and Gertrud Gehlenbeck: German theatre directors and writers.