Surname Gelen - Meaning and Origin
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Gelen: What does the surname Gelen mean?
The last name Gelen (occasionally spelled Ghilen) is of English and Welsh origin. It is an early variant of the name Gillan, which is a diminutive form of the name William, meaning "resolute protector".
The family name goes back to the Middle Ages, when it was originally found in the area known as the ancient Welsh kingdom of Gwent. During that time, the name was derived from the Welsh personal name “gwilym”. During Norman Conquest, the name was eventually anglicized to “Gillan”, and then to “Gelen”.
Gelen is now found all over the world, including in North America, Europe, South Africa and Australia. It is also common in Wales, where many people proudly display their Welsh heritage by carrying the name. The name is also associated with the working class, as it was often found among miners, railway workers and other laborers in Wales during the nineteenth century.
Variations of the Gelen name include Gilliam, Gillen, Gilen, Ghillen, Ghellen, Ghelyen, Ghilen and Gilyn. It is also related to other surnames such as Killen, Killin and Kelland.
Gelen is associated with strength, courage and loyalty. Those who carry the last name often exhibit these traits in their daily lives, and they are known for working hard, protecting their families and remaining loyal to their loved ones.
Order DNA origin analysisGelen: Where does the name Gelen come from?
The last name Gelen is most commonly found in the United States and Canada. Ancestry.com lists the Gelen surname as being of French origin. While the name was initially found in Europe, it is likely that the surname was brought to the United States by early French immigrants.
In the U.S., the name is most commonly found in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. According to Ohiogenealogy.org, early records show that the Gelen name can be traced back to the French Canada and possibly American Revolutionary War era, in what is now New York and Pennsylvania. It is likely that the name was also brought to the U.S. by French settlers who traveled down the Mississippi River to settle in Louisiana during the late 1700s.
In Canada, the Gelen surname is most commonly seen in Ontario, where many French settlers settled during the 1800s. The name can also be found across other eastern provinces of Canada, such as Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.
The name is less common in the United Kingdom, but can still be found in some English counties such as Dorset, Somersetshire, Hertfordshire, Northamptonshire, Wiltshire, Sussex, and Lancashire.
Overall, while the last name Gelen is more common in North America, records suggest that it was initially brought to Europe from France, and can be found in several other European countries as well.
Variations of the surname Gelen
Gelen is an uncommon name of Irish origin. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Gelen include Gillen, Gellen, Gillion, Gillan, Gillin, Gellin, Gellan, Gellen, Gellon and Grellen.
Gillen is a variation of the surname Gelen. It is derived from the Gaelic surname ‘Mac an Ghillen’, which means “son of the servant”. The variations of this surname include MacGillen, Gillen, McGillen, Gllan, and Gilen.
Gellen is an Irish surname which is derived from the Gaelic “Mac an Ghaill”, which means “son of a stranger”. Variations of this surname include Gellon, Gellin, Gellan, Gillion, and Gellen.
Gillon is a variation of the surname Gelen which is more commonly found in England. This name is derived from a combination of “gill” and “on” which means “valley dweller”. Variations of this surname include Gellon, Gellin, Gellan, Gillion, and Gellen.
Gillan is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic phrase “Mac Mel” which means “son of Mel”. Variations of this surname include Gellon, Gellin, Gellan, Gillion, and Gellen.
Gillin is a variation of the surname Gelen which is believed to have been derived from the Gaelic phrase “Mac Giolla Eoin” which means “son of John”. Variations of this surname include Gellon, Gellin, Gellan, Gillion, and Gellen.
Gellin is an Irish surname which is derived from the Gaelic phrase “Mac Giolla Eoin” which means “son of John”. Variations of this surname include Gellon, Gellin, Gellan, Gillion, and Gellen.
Gellan is a variant of the surname Gelen which is believed to be derived from the Gaelic phrase “Mac an Ghaill”, which means “son of a stranger”. Variations of this surname include Gellon, Gellin, Gellan, Gillion, and Gellen.
Gellon is a variation of the surname Gelen which is derived from the Gaelic phrase “MacGillin”, which means “son of William”. Variations of this surname include Gellon, Gellin, Gellan, Gillion, and Gellen.
Grellen is a rare variation of the surname Gelen which is derived from the Old English phrase “Grele’ which means “grey-haired”. Variations of this surname include Gellon, Gellin, Gellan, Gillion, and Gellen.
Famous people with the name Gelen
- Danielle Gelen: A soccer player who was a member of the Australian National Women’s Soccer Team, she also represented Australia in the 2012 Summer Olympics.
- Lukas Gelen: A French actor who has appeared in numerous films and television series, including Le placard, Le cordon, and Welcome to the Sticks.
- Mei-Ling Gelen: A professional basketball player who was drafted to the WNBA in 1998, she later went on to play for the Los Angeles Sparks.
- Jann Gelen: A Dutch television presenter and former model who is best known for presenting the TV show Popster.
- Wendy Gelen: A British actress who is best known for her role as Vivienne Potter in the long running soap opera Coronation Street.
- Jan Gelen: A Belgian footballer who currently plays for professional club KV Mechelen in the Belgian First Division A.
- Marc Gelen: A Spanish footballer who has played at the amateur level and also the Spanish Segunda Division B, he is currently the captain of Atlético Sanluqueño CF.
- Heiko Gelen: A German artist and photographer who has won numerous awards for his work, including the 2004 Berlin Artist Prize for Photography.
- Richard Gelen: A Swiss musician who is part of the jazz band Die灧(Djam)en and its associate Professor Pohlmann.
- Tülin Gelen: A Turkish athlete who competed in the 100 metre sprint and long jump events at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.