Surname Medling - Meaning and Origin

Medling: What does the surname Medling mean?

The last name Medling is of Germanic and English origin. It is thought to have originated as a medieval given name, derived from the old Germanic personal name Medel, composed of the elements madal, which means “counsel” and wulf, meaning “wolf.” Over time, the name came to mean “strong advice” or “good counsel.”

In the Middle Ages, the name became a surname for someone who provided wise counsel. One bearers of the last name is the German-born philosopher, composer, and theologian, Paul Medling, who lived in the 15th century. The name was also found in early America, with Rebecca Medling being documented in Virginia in 1689.

The name is also mentioned in Shakespeare’s play, Love’s Labour’s Lost, in which one of the characters is named Medling.

The name Medling can also be found in modern times. It is popular in many countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States. The Medling family name is associated with responsibility and strong character. This name represents loyalty, helpfulness, and an urge to help others. People with this last name are described as being strong-willed and creative problem solvers.

Medling: Where does the name Medling come from?

The last name Medling is most commonly found today in Germany, Sweden, and Denmark.

Originally from the Middle German Medeling, which originally derived from Mede, meaning “counselor” or “helper,” the surname Medling is found in many different languages. In Germany, it is spelled as Mödling or Müdling. In Sweden, it is spelled as Medling or Mädling. In Denmark, it is spelled as Medelen or Mødling.

In Germany, the name is mainly distributed in the northern parts of the country, as well as in the Rhineland and Westphalia. In Sweden, it is mostly found in the provinces of Jämtland, Uppland, and Gästrikland. In Denmark, the name can be found mainly in the region of Jutland.

Although the name is not spoken in large numbers today, it is still quite common in those countries. According to a 2014 report by the United Nations Economic Commission, the last name Medling was the 39th most common surname in Germany, with a total of 40,413 people bearing the name. It was the 136th most common name in Sweden, with 8,131 people, and the 192nd most common name in Denmark, with 6,002 people.

Overall, the last name Medling is most commonly found today in Germany, Sweden, and Denmark. It is spoken in small numbers in other countries as well, but most of its bearers are concentrated in the previously mentioned countries.

Variations of the surname Medling

The surname Medling is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from the name of an ancestor, namely the first name Edward. This name has many variants and spellings:

- Medland: This is the most widely used variant of the surname, and it is believed it is derived from the Old English words for “Middle land”.

- Muddling: This variant seems to be derived from the slight mispronunciation of Medling, leading to a phonetic spelling change over time

- Medlyn: This variant is thought to be derived from a combination of the first name Edward and the Old English word for “meadow”.

- Medlen: This variant is largely thought to be derived from a combination of the first name Edward and the Old English words for “small” or “little”.

There are also a few related surnames that are believed to be derived in part from or completely related to the name Medling. These include:

- Medlock: This is a variant of the surname Medling and is believed to be derived from a combination of the first name Edward and the Old English words for “lock” or “protection”, likely referring to a lock or key of protection.

- Middling: This is a variant of the surname Medling and is believed to be derived from a combination of the first name Edward and the Old English words for “middle” or “of average size or quality”.

- Meddings: This surname is thought to be derived from a combination of the first name Edward and the Old English words for “dwelling” or “habitation”.

- Muddlington: This variant is likely derived from a mispronunciation of the surname Medling and the Old English words for “town”.

In summary, the surname Medling has a variety of variants and spellings, mainly due to slight phonetic changes over time. Additionally, there are a few related surnames that are believed to be connected to this surname in some way.

Famous people with the name Medling

• Erykah Badu: American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress
• Hasan Medling: Turkish pop singer
• Jay Medling: American actor and storyteller
• Oskar Medling: Swedish composer and pianist
• Daniela Medling: Spanish sculptor and ceramic artist
• Della Medling: American poet and author
• Ivor Medling: Finnish-born American poet and translator
• Elisabeth Medling: Swedish musician and singer
• Jan Medling: Swedish singer-songwriter and guitarist
• Curt Medling: Swedish writer and poet
• Robert Medling: American theatre critic and academic
• Michael Medling: German footballer
• Isaac Medling: Canadian hockey player
• John Medling: American photographer and filmmaker

Other surnames

MedlieMedlin