Surname Sellen - Meaning and Origin
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Sellen: What does the surname Sellen mean?
The surname Sellen appears to be of English origin, possibly derived from "Sellend", a historic place name in the county of Kent. Names that originated from places are typically tied to the geographic location where a person lived or held land. The "en" or "end" suffix could denote a location at the end of a feature, like a stream or a valley.
Another possibility is it has evolved from an occupational term. It may be tied to the Old English 'selle' or 'sellen,' which mean to sell, giving the name the implication of a merchant or seller.
Remember that variations in spelling often occur over time and between regions, so the origins of the surname might be tied to different root words too. On its own, the last name Sellen does not have a specific meaning as it directly relates to a person's genealogy and history.
The distribution of people with the last name Sellen is highest in England, particularly in Kent, followed by other English-speaking countries like the USA, Canada and Australia.
It's important to remember these are speculated origins, official records or comprehensive family histories would provide further clarity.
Order DNA origin analysisSellen: Where does the name Sellen come from?
The last name Sellen is commonly found in England and the United Kingdom. Sellen is a relatively rare surname, so you may not find many people with the same surname in some areas. However, it is also common in parts of France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany.
The Sellen name is likely derived from the Old English root "seolh," which means "willow tree." This is typically the case in early English surnames, as they were often taken from locations or characteristics of the person carrying the surname.
The origin of the Sellen surname is probably from the English-Scottish border region. It is believed that this was a family of Anglo-Danish origin that immigrated to Scotland and then back into England around the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.
In more recent centuries, this family has spread across the world. Although they primarily remained in the same region of the United Kingdom, some families relocated to warmer climates abroad. This could be why some Sellen families are now found in Australia, the United States, Canada, and other places.
Today, Sellen is still a fairly rare surname and is most common in England. The Sellen family is small but strong and retains its unique heritage with each passing generation.
Variations of the surname Sellen
The surname Sellen is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word 'sellan', meaning 'to give'. Variations of the surname Sellen include Sellan, Sillan, Sellin, and Sellens.
The surname Sellen is also a variant of Sellens, which can be alternatively spelled Sillens. It is an occupational surname used to describe someone who was a giver or dealer. The prefix 'sell' comes from the Old English language, indicating someone who gave something in exchange for something else. This is a common occupational surname for people who were merchants.
Another variation of Sellen is Sellon. It is a patronymic name, meaning 'son of Sellen'. Sellon is a surname often found in France and England respectively.
Variations of Sellens include Sillens, Sellons and Selens. This spelling is more common in France, where it was said to originate from. It may have been derived from a location in France called Sellens or from the Latinized form of the name 'Selanus'.
The various spellings of the Sellen surname are ultimately based on the same root word, Sellan. This root word has been evolved over time, becoming Sellens and Sellons as well as Sillan, Sillens and Sellin. People with these surnames could have originated in England or France.
Famous people with the name Sellen
- Jeff Sellen: a Canadian retail innovator who founded SFBI, the world's first retail strategy consulting firm.
- Andrew Sellen: an American executive and former CEO of Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
- Anne Sellen: an American biological scientist, specializing in conservation genetics.
- John Sellen: an American Air Force brigadier general and former commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center.
- Jorie Sellen: an American actress best known for her role as Desdemona on the television series Furious Angels.
- Mark Sellen: a British-born Canadian television producer and director, and the co-creator of the award-winning television series Trapped.
- Paul Sellen: a British theatre and television actor known for his roles in The Bill and Holby City.
- Verlyn Sellen: a Canadian businessman and philanthropist who founded London Life Insurance Company.
- William Sellen: a Canadian politician and diplomat who served as the Governor General of Canada from 1935 to 1940.
- Catharine Sellen: an Australian actor, singer and television presenter, best known for her performances in musical theatre.