Surname Pauling - Meaning and Origin
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Pauling: What does the surname Pauling mean?
The surname Pauling is of German origin and is found mainly in several western and eastern European countries. It is believed to have originated as a variant of the surname Paulin, which is derived from the given name Paul.
Paulin itself is derived from Paulus, the Latinized form of the Greek name Paulos, which literally translates as "little, small". This likely referenced its Baroque era original carriers, who were small in stature. It also came to refer to an endearing quality, a respect given to somebody regardless of physique or rank.
The surname Pauling dates back to the medieval period, and originally referred to someone associated with St. Paulin of Nola, a 4th century Italian saint. It is also thought that some instances of the surname evolved independently from the baptismal name Paul, indicating the bearer being the son of a man of that name.
The modern day versions of the Pauling family name mainly refer to lineages descended from those original carriers. Today, it is primarily as a surname of aristocratic and middle-class origins, found in different parts of the world.
Order DNA origin analysisPauling: Where does the name Pauling come from?
The last name Pauling is primarily found in Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States today. Germany has the highest number of Pauling family members, accounting for close to a third of individuals with the surname, while the UK and US make up 16% and 14%, respectively.
In the United States, the name Pauling is most popular in California, followed by Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, and Illinois. The five states make up around a quarter of all Paulings in the US. California alone is home to 6% of the total American Paulings, and in the LA County alone, the Pauling name is the 381st most common surname.
In the UK, there are more modest numbers of Paulings, with the name found mostly in three areas: Wales, Yorkshire, and London. In South Wales, the family name is the 1,127th most-common one among 4,000,000 total surnames, making for a total of 178 Paulings worldwide.
In Germany, the name Pauling is significantly older than it is in the UK and US and can be found in virtually every district, although some have higher concentrations than others. In Bavaria, the Pauling name is currently the 156th most common surname. Altogether, there is believed to be around 8,800 Paulings living in Germany today.
Variations of the surname Pauling
The surname Pauling is an old Irish and British family name with several variants and spellings around the world. Some of the variations of the name are Paulyn, Paullin, Pauelen, Pavelin, Pawling, Palling, Pawlyn, Paulin, Palin, and Paulling.
The surname first became prominent in the early nineteenth century in Ireland and Britain where it was derived from a combination of two Old English names, Paul and Linn. In Britain, it typically originated as a topographical name for someone who lived near a pool or a body of water, while in Ireland it was derived from a family of the same name who were a major branch of the O’Toole dynasty in county Kildare.
The Pauling surname has specifically been common in the Cheshire region of England, where it was first discovered. It is found in many countries around the world including: Canada, Australia, the United States, South Africa and New Zealand.
The Pauling family has achieved the most fame in the UK from the accomplishments of several British members including, Thomas Pauling, a religious author from the nineteenth century, and Gerard Paulynn, a noted businessman and lawyer who served on the council of the Croydon Docks shipbuilding company in the 19th and 20th centuries.
One of the more notable American bearers of the Pauling is Linus Pauling, who is widely considered the father of modern chemistry for his extraordinary discoveries and contributions in physics, chemistry, and biochemistry. He was the first to realize the importance of the atomic bonds between molecules and pioneered the field of protein biochemistry.
Famous people with the name Pauling
- Winona Pauling: Painter and sister of famed artist Ellsworth Pauling.
- Jamie Pauling: British musical theater actor and playwright.
- Graham Pauling: British actor most known for his role in 'This Life.'
- Ellsworth Pauling: American painter and brother of Winona Pauling.
- Linus Pauling: American chemist, biochemist, and peace activist who won two Nobel prizes.
- Christopher Pauling: British actor best known for his roles in 'Any Human Heart' and 'The Crown.'
- Katherine Pauling: British poet and author of several books of poetry. 8.Semma Pauling: British singer and songwriter.
- William Pauling: Retired British Army major, professor of West African studies at SOAS University of London. 10.Bob Pauling: British composer, DJ, and radio presenter.