Surname Nölgen - Meaning and Origin
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Nölgen: What does the surname Nölgen mean?
Nölgen is a German surname of topographical origin, likely related to a waterway. It is derived from the German word "nallen" which, in turn, is derived from the Middle High German "nahelen" which means "to cut across" or to "channel off." It would have been used to describe a person who lived near or was associated with a stream, drainage channel, irrigation ditch, or some other form of waterway.
The various meanings of Nölgen could also be related to a place or area that is prone to flooding or marshy land. This could have been a region or territory near the boundary between two domains where there was no clear border.
In some cases, the name may also have been used to describe a person who lived next to a meadow or marshland. This could have been used to differentiate people who lived in different areas at the time. The name has also been referenced in medieval writings which suggest that it may have originally been part of a larger block of land owned by a single family.
Nölgen is believed to be of Old German origin, lending a sense of antiquity to the name. Although this name has gained 41st place on the list of most common surnames in Germany during the 20th century, the name Nölgen remains relatively uncommon today.
Order DNA origin analysisNölgen: Where does the name Nölgen come from?
The last name Nölgen is most commonly found in areas of central and eastern Europe today. Variations of the name, such as Nolte/Noelte, are found in the German-speaking regions of Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, Austria, and Liechtenstein. Additionally, variants of the surname such as Nölke, Nolge, or Nolge can be found in regions of eastern Europe such as Poland, Russia, Belarus, and Latvia.
The surname likely originated sometime in the 12th century from the Dutch/West Frisian word “Noelge,” which translates to “New Land” or “New Ground.” It is believed that the Nölgen surname developed as a patronymic surname from the given name Noelge. The surname was first recorded in the Netherlands, where it is thought to have originated as a geographical indicator of someone who came from a new settlement.
By the 17th and 18th centuries, the surname had spread across Europe. Throughout this time, it shifted and changed in spelling, but remained relatively rare throughout its course. Today, variations of the surname are still found in parts of Europe, mostly in German-speaking countries, as well as areas of eastern Europe.
Variations of the surname Nölgen
Nölgen (also spelled Nolgen and Noelgen) is a surname of Germanic and Dutch origin. The name Nölgen is derived from two elements — "velg" meaning "wheel" and "hno" meaning "kinsman" or "relative." The literal meaning of the name is then "wheelman" or "relative of the wheel".
Variants and spelling variations of Nölgen include Naelgen, Naalgen, Noalgen, Noelgen, Nöelgen, and Noielgen. In some cases, other similar surname spellings could have existed in the past or do today such as Nooijen (Dutch), Noell (German), Noellgen (German), and Noellig (German).
This surname is found all over the German-speaking world, but has its origins in the Province of Lower Saxony and its surrounding area. In the 16th century, the name was common in the Dutch-speaking area.
The surname is also found in Norway, where it is spelled Noelg(e)n, as well as Sweden, where it takes the spelling Nölg(e)n. In North America, many members of the family with this name can be found in the Pennsylvania Dutch communities.
The coat of arms of various Nölgen/Noelgen families is described as: on a red field a solid, silver steel wheel with six spokes and a yellow sword with the handle in front and a cross hilt with a yellow star in the middle. The helmet is a black knight's helmet with the owner's crest on the side and the mantling is silver and red.
The motto of the Nölgen/Noelgen families is "Freiheit (Free-ness) und Kühnheit (Boldness)".
Famous people with the name Nölgen
- Clara Nölgen: German actor and comedian best known for her roles in various TV series such as Club der roten Bänder and Der Vater meiner besten Freundin.
- Michael Nölgen: former German footballer who played for clubs such as Borussia Dortmund, and VfB Stuttgart.
- Marlena Nölgen: German actress and model who has appeared in films such as Bienvenue Marlena and The Dark: The Dawning of Light.
- Stephan Nölgen: German politician, current mayor of Gerlingen
- Wilfried Nölgen: former German footballer who played for clubs such as Schalke 04, Düsseldorf 99 and Colonia IV.
- Maike Nölgen: German model, social media influencer, vlogger, and actress best known for her work in television series such as Encore une fois.
- Domenic Nölgen: Germany-based professional skateboarder.
- Michael Nölgen: German actor who has appeared in films such as Alex & Co and in television shows such as Good Bye Deutschland.
- Klaus Nölgen: German former professional footballer who played for Werder Bremen, FC St Pauli, and SV Meppen.
- Felix Nölgen: German actor known for his roles in films such as Storm and television series such as The Last Supper.