Surname Karlen - Meaning and Origin

DNA Test at iGENEA Reveals Unexpected Linkage to Karlen Lineage. (

I embarked on a voyage into my past through the iGENEA DNA test. The test result brought to light my lineage from a family named Karlen that I knew nothing about, and it was a revelation that has entirely reshaped my understanding of who I am and from where I come.

S. Karlen

Karlen: What does the surname Karlen mean?

The last name Karlen is of German origin and is derived from the given name Karl, which is in turn derived from the root churl or free peasant. The meaning of Karlen is derived from the former meaning of Karl and means "bold, strong, brave, and free".

Karlen is an important surname, having been in use since the 12th century. During this time, the Karlen family was associated with the city of Cologne, where they originally lived and worked. They were particularly noted for their military prowess and loyalty to their homeland. By the 17th century, many members of the Karlen family had become landowners in Vienna, and many of their descendants are still living in the city today.

The Karlen family is also found in many other areas of Europe, as well as in the United States. In the US, it is most common among descendants of German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. It is also found among families who moved to England, Ireland, and Scotland in the 19th century.

Today, the Karlen surname is still used by many families throughout the world. It can also be used to denote a person with German origins or heritage, as well as someone with strong qualities of courage, bravery, and loyalty.

Karlen: Where does the name Karlen come from?

Karlen is a surname which is considered to be of German origin. Today, it is most commonly seen in countries and regions which have a high German immigrant population, such as the United States, Canada, and parts of Central and South America. In the US, records suggest that Karlen is most prevalent in the states of North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Minnesota; however, those of Germanic decent may be found with this surname in practically any state.

The name is also common in parts of Europe, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In these countries, Karlen is most often found in the rural unstates, with a surprising concentration in certain regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg.

Furthermore, there are plenty of other countries where people may bear this last name, among them the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Russia, and the Czech Republic. Thanks to increased migration all around the world, Karlen can also be seen in countries further away from Europe, particularly China and Japan.

Variations of the surname Karlen

Karlen is a surname of Germanic origin. Its variants include Carlen, Carlon, Carland, Carlan, Carlin, Karland, Karling, Karling and Karlsen.

The surname Karlen is derived from the name Karl, a German name meaning “free man”. It first appeared in European records in the 12th century and is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Denmark, and Sweden.

The variations of the name Karlen as a surname occur mainly as a result of regional dialectic pronunciations in German itself. For instance, in southern Germany the “a” is changed to “e” and “n” is changed to “l” – thus, Karlen would become Carlen. In western Germany the “l” again changes to “n”, so Karlen becomes Carlin.

In many parts of Germany, the “e” at the end is dropped and the name becomes Karland, while in Scandinavia the name becomes Karlsen. Each variation has lead to the surnames Carlon, Carland, Carlan, Karling, and Karling.

So, the name Karlen may be written as Karlen, Carlen, Carlon, Carland, Carlan, Carlin, Karland, Karling, Karling or Karlsen. In all cases, these spellings and variants are derived from the Germanic given name Karl meaning “free man”.

Famous people with the name Karlen

• Bill Karlen: an American actor.
• Will Karlen: an American voice actor.
• Manfred Karlen: a Swiss author and physicist.
• Emma Karlén: a Swedish film director.
• Terry Karlen: an American former NFL player.
• B. Karlén: a Swedish folk musician.
• Simra Karlen: a Swedish artist.
• August Karlen: a Swedish actor, scriptwriter, and television director.
• Sara Karlén: a Swedish singer and songwriter.
• Edward Karlen: an American former Major League Baseball player.
• Shawn Karlen: an American actor and voice actor.
• Erna Karlen: a Swedish singer and actress.
• Wilhelm Karlen: a Swedish boxer and wrestler.
• August Karlen: a Swedish opera singer.
• Maverick Karlen: an American former Major League Baseball player.

Other surnames

KarleKarlein