Surname Tellen - Meaning and Origin
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Tellen: What does the surname Tellen mean?
The last name Tellen is an anglicized form of an old Germanic surname derived from the given name Thilo which first appeared in written records during the early Middle Ages.
The name Thilo is of Germanic origin, and the root is “thil-” which translates to “people” or “race” in old High German. This name has always been a popular one in Germany, with spellings such as Tille, Thille, Thiel, Thyll, Thull and Tull being commonly used.
The last name Tellen is derived from the anglicization of the name Thilo, and originally referred to the “Tillen”, the populace or people living in a particular region. It was often used to refer to families who came from the same area and had similar backgrounds and culture.
The first recorded instance of the Tellen family was in Northern Germany, where the family had a long-standing presence, and their connection with this region stretches back to the 15th century.
The Tellen family continues to be an active presence within Germany to this day, with many descendants of the original Tellens found in different locations throughout the country.
Tellen is a unique surname which has been part of German heritage for centuries and embodies the history of a proud and hardworking people.
Order DNA origin analysisTellen: Where does the name Tellen come from?
The last name Tellen is an uncommon to rare surname throughout much of Europe, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, and Belgium. However, it is quite common in certain areas in the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, Tellen can be found throughout most of the major cities and towns and is most commonly seen in the provinces of North Holland, South Holland, Utrecht, Gelderland, and North Brabant.
The majority of people with the Tellen surname in the Netherlands are of Dutch ancestry. This is likely due to the fact that the surname originated in the country. The surnames date back to the 15th century and are said to have come from a given name Telle or Telleke which was derived from the Dutch words "teller" or "telleke" meaning “measure”.
Today, the Dutch people with the last name Tellen are mostly centered around the cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Eindhoven, and Zwolle. This could be due to the fact these cities have historically been more populated than other parts of the Netherlands, thus increasing the probability of finding people with the same last name living in these places.
The surname Tellen is also found in some parts of the United States, particularly in the state of Illinois. The Tellen family living in the Chicago area is said to be descended from the Duivenvoorden family, who are believed to have emigrated from Amsterdam in the early 1900s.
Ultimately, the surname Tellen is most common in the Netherlands, particularly around various cities throughout the country. It has a fairly strong presence in the United States. You can also find some Tellens outside of Europe, though it is much rarer to find than in Europe.
Variations of the surname Tellen
The surname Tellen is derived from ancient French spelling, Teillant, as well as the Old French spelling, Tailleant. It is a habitational name representing individuals who originated from a place called Tellen in Brittany. A variant spelling is Telan, as well as the spelling Tellan.
Other surname variants of Tellen, depending on regional location, include Tailon, Tailhant, Tilhant, Tillant, Tilleman, Tillet, Tillon, Tilman, Tilmanne, Tellin and Tillain.
It is known to have been used as a surname since at least the 1500s, particularly in the region of Brittany. From there it spread throughout the world with immigration, becoming one of the most recognizable surnames in English speaking countries.
The surname Tellen is derived from the Old French word, teillant, which itself was derived from the Latin word taliare, meaning “to cut or to fashion”. As a habitational name, it likely began when people living in the village of Tellen adopted the name of their town as their surname.
Famous people with the name Tellen
- Joe Tellen: an American golfer who competed in the PGA Tour in the 1970s and 1980s.
- Scott Tellen: an American film and television actor, known for his appearances in films like Aaron's curse and Stephen King's The Stand.
- Chad Tellen: an American musician and founding member of the alternative rock group Primus.
- Bill Tellen: an American bass guitarist who has worked with multiple popular bands such as The Smashing Pumpkins and The Replacements.
- Jennifer Tellen: an American actress, best known for her roles in films like Legally Blonde and The Big Hit. 6.Todd Tellen: an American author and lecturer on inner-city issues, with books like Invisible Children: Uncovering the Causes and Consequences of Child Homelessness in America.
- Jeffrey Tellen: an American professional basketball player who has played for the NBA and other teams.
- Jake Tellen: an American soccer player who played college soccer for the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
- Jessica Tellen: an American competitive swimmer who has competed at the Olympic and Pan American levels. 10.Alex Tellen: an American lawyer and a principal in the law firm of Tellen & Associates, where he focuses on business law and commercial transactions.