Surname Nellen - Meaning and Origin

Nellen: What does the surname Nellen mean?

The last name Nellen is of German and Dutch origin. It is derived from the personal name Nelle, which itself is derived from the Germanic name “Nel” which means “bold” or “resolute”. In Germany, the name is found mainly in the region of Lower Saxony, in the northwest of the country. In the Netherlands, it is found mainly around the cities of Utrecht and Amsterdam.

In both Germany and the Netherlands, Nellen is associated with a certain degree of aristocratic influence. In Germany, it is associated with the Nellenburg family, which was made up of numerous noble families who held a wide range of properties across the country. In the Netherlands, the Nellen family was associated with prestigious positions in the Royal Dutch East Indies Company.

The name is believed to have made its way to the United States during the 19th century, when German and Dutch immigrants settled here. Since then, the name has been passed on to many generations.

The meaning of the name "Nellen" is effectively "bold" and "resolute", suggesting that those bearing this name are determined, reliable, and focused individuals.

Nellen: Where does the name Nellen come from?

The last name Nellen is not particularly common today, however it is most often found within countries in Northern Europe and America. In particular, the last name Nellen is found in large numbers in Germany, Denmark, and the United States. In Germany, it is most common within the states of Bavaria, Schleswig-Holstein, and Lower Saxony. In Denmark, it is found in cities and towns all over the country, with the highest concentrations of Nellen's being in the cities of Copenhagen, Odense, and Aarhus. The United States also has several places where the last name can be found, such as California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, and Wisconsin.

Tracing the origin of the name Nellen leads back to the Middle German "nelle" and the Middle Dutch "nolle". Both words refer to a person who is considered "bold" or "brave". This implies that the name was originally given to someone with a courageous spirit or heart, thus it was likely first given to someone of noble descent. The name was usually carried over by the male line, so it is likely a patronymic. Over time, the name has been adopted by people of all classes and backgrounds, which has contributed to its widespread distribution in modern times.

Variations of the surname Nellen

The surname Nellen is a Dutch and German name, and is derived from the Old German personal name Nilon. It is most commonly seen in the Netherlands and Germany, but can be found elsewhere, particularly in Irish and English-speaking countries.

Variants, spellings and surnames of Nellen include Nilon, Nilen, Nillen, Nilan, Nelden, Nellin, Nilling, Nillin, Nollin, Neilson, Nilsen, Neilson, Nilsson, Nilsdotter, Neilsdotter, Neilson, Neilsdotter, Nilsson, Nelson and others.

In most cases, the Nellen form is a spelling variation of Nilon, Nilen or Nellin. There are also spelling variance of these names, such as Neldon, Nildon, Nolon, Noell and Nowell. These gender-neutral names began to be adapted in various countries early in the 13th century, and dozens of variants quickly emerged.

Nellen is not an exclusively Dutch or German name, and is often seen in other countries, particularly in Ireland and the English-speaking world. This is because the name was popular among immigrants who left Europe during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, and so many of these variant spellings and surnames remained unchanged in the new countries.

The name Nelson is one of the most common variants of Nellen. It is an English patronymic surname, meaning "son of Neil". This name was particularly popular among Scandinavian immigrants who came to the United Kingdom and the United States in the 19th century.

Other related names include Nilsdotter, Nilsson and Neilsdotter which were common in Sweden, while Nilan or Nillon may be seen in Southern Ireland.

In short, surnames derived from the Old German personal name Nilon are quite varied, with Nellen being just one of the many variant spellings.

Famous people with the name Nellen

• Lars Nellen: German actor and cinematographer.
• Nikolaus Nellen: Austrian composer and professor.
• Jack Nellen: American fighter pilot and businessman.
• Jürgen Nellen: German composer and conductor.
• Clara Nellen: German actress and singer.
• Constantin Nellen: German-born entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist.
• Pierluigi Nellen: Italian sculptor, painter, and potter.
• Julian Nellen: Canadian actor, writer, and artist.
• Andrea Nellen: German-born painter and graphic artist.
• Richard Nellen: Dutch historian and archaeologist.
• Hans-Peter Nellen: German chemist and university professor.
• Adrian Nellen: Swiss architect and urban planner.
• Gert Nellen: Dutch cinematographer and production designer.
• Leander Nellen: German-born guitarist, songwriter, and record producer.
• René Nellen: Dutch painter, sculptor, and lithographer.
• Rudolf Nellen: German-born physicist and academic.
• Nikolaus Nellen: Austrian composer and viola player.
• Arnold Nellen: Dutch football player and manager.
• Anton Nellen: German sculptor and monument builder.
• Antonius Nellen: German-born actor, director, and musician.

Other surnames

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