Surname Gehlings - Meaning and Origin

Gehlings: What does the surname Gehlings mean?

The last name Gehlings is of German origin and its English translation is "of the Gehl family". It is a patronymic, or a name derived from the surname of the father of an individual. The name Gehl is likely derived from the Old High German word "gehal", meaning "enclosure", which was a type of enclosed land used as a farm or dwelling.

The Gehling family most likely descended from someone with this name, as many did in the Middle Ages. Their family line could be traced back to a certain area, probably somewhere around what is now Germany, as families often stayed in the same communities and kept the same surnames.

Throughout the centuries, the Gehlings have lived within different societies and cultures. Many moved to America in the 19th and 20th centuries, looking for a better life in the New World. Those that chose to stay in Germany often held onto their surname, preserving its history and meaning.

Today, the Gehling surname is quite rare and few family members remain linked by it. Nevertheless, it continues to represent a centuries-old story of a single family that lived and thrived through generations, despite the hardships and changes that life brought. They fought to stay strong and pass on their legacy, signified by their unique last name.

Gehlings: Where does the name Gehlings come from?

The last name Gehlings is most commonly found in Germany. According to records, it is estimated that there are currently about 1,300 people with the last name Gehlings living in Germany. The name is also present in the United States, with most Gehlings there being of German descent. However, the number is much lower than the number of people of the name found in Germany.

In the past, different spellings of the name Gehlings have been used, such as Gahling, Galing, and Geling, which have all contributed to the presence of the name in other locations outside of Germany.

Gehlings is often considered to be an occupational name, derived from the Middle High German word "gelenke," which roughly translates to "tenant" or "farmer." It is thought to have been originally used as a surname to identify people practicing tenant farming.

Though Gehlings is mainly found in Germany and the United States today, there are also scattered individuals with the name all over the world. In England, there are a few hundred people with the name Gehlings, and in other areas outside of Europe, including South Africa, Canada, and Australia, there are small pockets of people with the name as well.

Variations of the surname Gehlings

The surname Gehlings has a few variants, spellings, and even other surnames that are of the same origin. The most common variant of Gehlings is spelled Gehling. This spelling is more commonly found throughout Germany and other German-speaking countries. In addition, other variants include Geeling and Geheling.

In terms of surnames, there are a few variations of Gehlings with the same heritage and sounds. The primary alternate surname to Gehlings is Geling. This surname is found predominantly throughout the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. Other surnames of the same origin include Gailing, Geeling, Ghellings, Geheling, Gahling, Gehelein, Geelen, Gahlin, Gehelin, and Gelingen.

The spelling of Gehlings is one of the most common spellings and variants for this surname found throughout both the Germany and the Low Countries (Belgium and the Netherlands). All of the names mentioned above are either spellings, variants, or cognate surnames of Gehlings.

Famous people with the name Gehlings

• Alex Gehlings: professionalliving inreverse.
• Octavian Gehlings: German bass guitarist best known for his time in the Gruselrock/Horrorpunk band The Cynics from 1985 to 1989 and again from 2008 to 2018.
• Werner Gehlings: German ceramicist and sculptor.
• Hugo Gehlings: German expressionist painter who primarily worked in copper and oil.
• Lars Gehlings: former German footballer who played as a defender for FC Schalke 04 II in the 2. Bundesliga from 1990 to 1993.
• Paul Gehlings: German actor and voice actor primarily known for his roles in films such as Wer wenn nicht wir and Die Mitte der Welt.
• Kristina Gehlings: German actress best known for her roles in tv series such as Ohoff, TVsperre, and Kälte und Eis.
• Elke Gehling: German journalist and tv presenter known for her role in the series Stromberg and DAS!.
• Johannes Gehling: German photographer and filmmaker who has directed music videos and films such as Echte Wolfsburgstrasse.
• Anna Gehling: German journalist, author, and tv personality known for her work in the ZDF series Alarm für Cobra 11: Die Autobahnpolizei.

Other surnames

Gehling