Surname Hollen - Meaning and Origin
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Hollen: What does the surname Hollen mean?
The last name Hollen is a German or Dutch name that means “the people on the hill” or “of the hill”. This likely originated as an identification of a family who occupied land near a hill, with the belief that their generations could trace their ancestry back to a particular location. The spelling of the name has evolved over time, beginning as “Hollen” in German and evolving to “Holland” in English. This root word of ‘hollen’ implies that the family members were farmers who cultivated their land, although they may have also been landowners.
Today, those bearing the last name Hollen can be found all over the world. In the United States, it is most commonly used in states like Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota, likely due to the wave of European immigration in the 18th century. In the United Kingdom, the Hollen name is especially prominent in Lancashire and Yorkshire.
Hollens tend to be strong-willed and hard-working individuals, traits that were likely developed over time as a result of their rural and agricultural lifestyle. As a result of their industriousness, many Hollens have found great success in their fields. Similarly, their connection to their land and their resourcefulness are also characteristics that have been passed down through their generations.
In addition, Hollens are known for being loyal, protective, and generous to family and friends, traits that are likely owed to their closeness to their community. Many have experienced success in the commercial and business worlds as a result of their ability to foster and maintain relationships and their capability to read others quickly.
Order DNA origin analysisHollen: Where does the name Hollen come from?
The last name Hollen is most commonly found in regions of the United States where large swathes of people emigrated in the 19th and early 20th centuries from countries in western and northern Europe, primarily Germany. The highest concentration of the Hollen surname in the United States is found in the northeast, in states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York.
The Hollen surname can also be found in other countries, mainly those located in northern Europe. Holland, Germany, Scotland, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark are all countries where the name has a moderate presence.
In all, the last name Hollen is still a relatively common one, particularly in the United States. It is found primarily amongst those of German, Dutch, or northern European heritage. But its prevalence worldwide is not as prolific as it was several centuries ago when many of these countries were at their peak population rates.
Variations of the surname Hollen
The surname Hollen has a number of different variants and spellings from around the world. In Britain, the most common variant is Hollin/Hollyn, which includes Hollan, Hollen, Hollon, Hollin, Hollings, Holloway, Hollingworth and Hollinworth.
In America, the name appears as Hollan, Hollen, Hollenbach, Holloway, Hollander, Hollenquest, Hollenbaugh, Hollingworth and Hollister. In Ireland, the surname appears as Hollen and Holling. In Germany, the variant is Holler.
Variations of Hollen can also be found in other countries, such as Holland (in the Netherlands) and Hallin (in Finland). The name is related to the Old English word hola, meaning “protective enclosure” or “defense”. The name is thought to have originated as a placename for a settlement in an enclosure.
The surname’s versions have been modified over the centuries by taking on regional and linguistic influences. For example, the German variant Holler was changed to Hollenquest after it was anglicized during the 17th century British colonization of America.
Hollen is an uncommon surname. It is believed that all those who bear the name are related in some way, although the exact relationship between different variants is not known. It is likely that the different versions are the result of a linguistic evolution as the name became adopted in different parts of the world.
Famous people with the name Hollen
- Brandon Hollen: retired professional ice hockey defenseman
- John Hollen: retired American stock car racing driver
- Jake Hollen: award winning American Cubs Beat Writer
- Elizabeth Hollen: figure skater who competed in the 2014 US National Championships
- Gertrude Hollen: author of the award-winning book, “When Mimosa Blooms”
- Leo Hollen: award-winning cinematographer
- Linda Hollen: Hall of Fame actress with a lengthy list of accomplishments
- Hank Hollen: retired American Basketball Association player
- Reid Hollen: Olympic gold medalist in rowing
- Libby Hollen: best-selling author of the popular “Pure Magic” series