Surname Paulen - Meaning and Origin
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Paulen: What does the surname Paulen mean?
The last name Paulen is of German and Dutch origins and is thought to have derived from the personal name Paul, which is itself derived from the Roman family name Paulus. The original bearer of the surname likely had the given name Paul, and eventually, over time, it became Paulen.
In German, Paulen is thought to mean 'son of Paul', which is an occupational name for a man who works as a labourer. It could also have been used to describe a tenant farmer, as tenancy farming was particularly common in Germany. In Dutch, the name can also mean 'from Paul', which is a topographic name for someone who lived near a church dedicated to Saint Paul, or a settlement named after him.
The name has spread all over Europe with plenty of bearers residing in Germany, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. It is also present in many other countries including Canada, Australia, and the United States. It is a relatively rare and uncommon surname; it is estimated to be held by around 1800 people in the United States.
The Paulen name carries a proud history and has its origins in a long-standing family tradition. Itsbearers are part of a unique legacy and in some cases, it even transcends generations.
Order DNA origin analysisPaulen: Where does the name Paulen come from?
Today, the last name Paulen is most commonly found throughout Russia and Eastern Europe. This surname is especially common in Belarus and Ukraine, likely due to its Slavic origins. It is also relatively common in other parts of Europe, such as Romania, Sweden, Austria, and Germany. Beyond Europe, people with the last name Paulen can be found scattered throughout the world, especially in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The initial spread of the Paulen surname likely began in the 12th century when surname adoption became more common among the Slavic peoples of Russia and Eastern Europe. At this time, it appears the Paulen family were members of the landed gentry and held a certain amount of prestige. Over the following centuries, families bearing the Paulen name spread throughout the region and beyond.
In the modern day, it is estimated that there are roughly 2,500 people globally with the last name Paulen. It is likely that many of them still trace their roots back to these ancestral regions. Thus, the Paulen surname is deeply rooted in Slavic ancestry and continues to be prevalent today.
Variations of the surname Paulen
Paulen is a German and Dutch surname most likely derived from the given name Paul, meaning "small". Alternate spellings include Pawlen, Paulin, Paulsen, and Paulins. It is also occasionally found spelled as Paulan, Pawlun, Paulun, Paullin, Paullen, and Pawlen. Paulen is a patronymic surname meaning "son of Paul".
In Germany, Paulen is a traditional family name that has origins in Wesphalia and was first found in Hessen-Nassau, where the earliest known recordings of the name are believed to date from the 13th century. There are over 200 independently spelled variant names for the Paul family name in Germany alone.
In Dutch-speaking countries the last name Paulen is found mainly in The Netherlands, but also in the United States, Canada, South Africa, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Scandinavia. It is associated with Dutch long-distance seafarers who would settle down in other countries. Variations of the name in Holland include Pauleen, Palen, Pailen, Paelen, Paulun, Paulus, Pauleneti, Paulenstins, Paullen, Paullens, Paulenus, Pauletus, Paulesser, and Paulers.
The Paulen surname has spread to other parts of the world including the United States of America, where it is spelled Pawlen, Pallen, Paulen, Paulin, and Paulsen among other variants. In Australia, the Paulen surname can be found spelled Paulan, Pawlen, Paulun, Paullin, Paullens, and Pawlen. Paulen is also present in South Africa in various forms including Palen, Paulin, Paulsen, and Paullens.
In short, Paulen is a surname with global reach and diverse spelling variants, making it a unique and interesting topic of research.
Famous people with the name Paulen
- Caroline Paulen: Caroline Paulen is a professional tour rider from Germany who competes in races such as the International Show Jumping Cup and World Cup series. In 2013, Paulen won the German show jumper Championship.
- Fredrick Paulen: Fredrick Paulen was a United States politician from Pennsylvania who was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from 1861 to 1865.
- Martin Paulen: Martin Paulen is a Swiss-born German actor who has appeared in series such as “Dublin Mord,” “Berlin Station,” and “Future Man.”
- Max Paulen: Max Paulen was a prominent Jewish attorney in the early twentieth century from Vienna. He is best known for playing a key role in the negotiation between the Soviet Union and the US in the aftermath of World War II.
- Melissa Paulen: Melissa Paulen is a former professional basketball player from the United States who competed in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).
- Monika Paulen: Monika Paulen is a German figure skater who competes in ice dance and was a three-time German national champion with Hartmut Ludemann.