Surname Gelan - Meaning and Origin

Gelan: What does the surname Gelan mean?

The last name Gelan is of Germanic origin, deriving from the Latin name Galeus. This name originates from the Roman Galeus, which was a Latin word meaning “helm” or “helmet.” This suggests that the original bearer of the name may have been a man of prominence and honor, perhaps a soldier or knight.

The Gelan surname is also found in many countries such as Germany, Austria, and Denmark. It has also spread to the United States and Canada in more recent centuries.

The Gelan surname typically appears to be concentrated in the medieval Rhenish area, especially in the Rhineland Palatinate, where it was present in the 15th century. It is believed that the Gelan family originated with noble knights and warriors of the region.

The name Gelan is also associated with other historical Germanic figures, such as Emperor Charlemagne. Various myths trace the Gelan surname back to Charlemagne’s soldiers, some of whom wore helmets bearing the name Gelan.

Today, the Gelan family continues to be an important part of Germanic culture. They currently reside and are active in many countries throughout the world, often pursuing successful and distinguished careers in fields such as engineering, science, law, and politics. The Gelan family is proud of its roots as a strong, ancient, and respected name.

Gelan: Where does the name Gelan come from?

The last name Gelan is not very common today, but it can be found in a few countries. Italy is one country where the name is still common, particularly in the Emilia-Romagna region. It is believed that its origins lie in the ancient Roman family of the Gelani, who were wealthy landowners in the region. Another major country where the last name Gelan is common is Romania. In Romania, the Gelan name is linked to a settlement in Olt county, and the surname is found mainly in the central and southern parts of the country.

Further afield, the Gelan surname is present in certain parts of the United States, particularly in Louisiana, Tennessee, and Texas. In Louisiana, the surname arrived with the hundreds of German and Swiss immigrants who landed in New Orleans in the mid-19th century. In the US, the surname is associated with the one-time French colonies located along the Upper Mississippi River and Lake Michigan, such as Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota.

In the Middle East, the Gelan surname is found mainly in Israel, with small concentrations also present in Lebanon and Iran. The Gelan name arrived in Israel with the Jewish immigrants who arrived during the 1990s from the former Soviet Union countries. In all of these countries, the Gelan surname is considered relatively rare and is typically found among people of Jewish, French, Italian, and Romanian descent.

Variations of the surname Gelan

The surname Gelan has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, all of which originated in the Middle Ages and spread throughout the British Isles through migration and intermarriage. Variants of the surname Gelan include Goleman, Geelman, Gillman, Gillum, Gillan, Geilman, Guilman, Gilman and Gilan.

Goleman is considered to be the closest variant of the Gelan surname, with its origin linked to the Old English personal name Gold or Golda, which is a common form of the name ‘Goldman’. Geelman and Gillman are also close variants, with the origin linked to the Old English words ‘geolu’, meaning gold, and ‘man’, meaning man.

Gillum is also a variant, which is a shortened version of ‘Gillman’. It has been noted that Gillum derived from the medieval nickname given to fair skinned individuals which implies that the bearer of the name was of a lighter complexion than most.

Gillan and Geilman are variants which are both derived from the Old English words ‘gill’, meaning bright or cheerful and ‘man’, meaning man respectively.

The variants Guilman and Gilman both originate from the medieval personal name ‘Guild’, which means ‘tribute’ or ‘payment’, with the first bearer of this name likely having been a servant or soldier of higher rank. Finally, ‘Gilan’ is a variation of ‘Gillan’, with the name derived from the Old English words ‘Gill’ and ‘man’, again meaning bright and man respectively.

In conclusion, the surname Gelan has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Common variants of the name include Goleman, Geelman, Gillman, Gillum, Gillan, Geilman, Guilman, Gilman and Gilan.

Famous people with the name Gelan

• Roma Gelan, Spanish tennis player
• Jules Gelan, French actor
• Kome Gelan, Ghanaian international footballer
• Ulla Gelan, Argentinian author and environmentalist
• Robert Gelan, Dutch swimmer
• Nick Gelan, English provocateur and entrepreneur
• Emanuel Gelan, Ethiopian apparel designer
• Kris Gelan, Belgian music producer
• Terry Gelan, Saudi Arabian artist
• Nígel Gelan, Irish poet and songwriter

Other surnames

Gelardi