Surname Cöllner - Meaning and Origin
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Cöllner: What does the surname Cöllner mean?
The last name Cöllner is a German surname, and it is most commonly found in the north of the country, especially in and around the town of Wolfenbüttel. It is derived from the Old German word “Kolner”, meaning “coalman” or “charcoal maker”, which suggests that the family may have been involved in this trade. The name is also found in Austria, Denmark, Netherlands, and Sweden, as well as being relatively common in the United States.
In the Middle Ages, cole, or charcoal, was one of the most essential materials for heating homes in northern Europe. It was made from burning wood, and those who sold it were highly respected for their knowledge and skill, so it is likely that the family had a strong reputation in those regions of the world.
The family in question may also have held the position of “kölner”, a job which involved verifying the quality of coal and ensuring that it was of an acceptable standard. This may have been a hereditary title, passed down through the generations, and explains why the family name has survived for centuries.
In more recent years, the name Cöllner has been used as a symbol of national pride, and it appears on many medals and awards, as well as being featured in the surnames of some famous people such as the actor Max von Cöllner and the painter Auguste Cöllner.
Overall, the surname Cöllner is a reminder of a long and proud family legacy, and the profession that lasted for generations.
Order DNA origin analysisCöllner: Where does the name Cöllner come from?
The last name Cöllner is quite common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland today. It is believed to have originated in the mid-1400's in the region of Alsace, which is now located near the Germany, Switzerland, and France border. It is a German-language name, but is also found in other neighboring countries such as Belgium and the Netherlands.
The name Cöllner is derived from the Arabic word ‘Kӧln’, which means ‘village or settlement’. It is thought that the family originating from the village of Colony near Strasbourg, Alsace in 1458. This location has since undergone many changes, becoming part of Germany then later France, due to various conflicts in Central Europe.
Today, Cöllner is one of the most common surnames found in several countries in Europe. In Germany, it is ranked at number 2,608 in the top 10,000 surnames, while it is ranked at number 1,838 in Switzerland. In Austria, it is found at number 8,495 and in Belgium, it is found at number 8,967.
Though the spelling of the surname may change depending on which country one resides in, it often is pronounced the same. In Germany, Switzerland, and Austria it is often pronounced “Kuel-ner”, while it is pronounced “Kawl-ner” in Belgium and the Netherlands. This name is shared by many people today but can still be linked to the small village of Colony that has existed for centuries.
Variations of the surname Cöllner
The surname Cöllner is derived from the German terms "Köllner" or "Kölling," which mean "coal merchant" or "coal burner." It is also sometimes spelled Köllner, Kelling, Köllen, Köln, Köllning, and Köllman. Other variants of Cöllner include Kolnas, Kollner, Kollasch, Kolnar, Köllt, Köllhaupt, and Köllinger.
The word "Kölln" was the name of a medieval town on the Wiersabe River in Germany, and some of the descendants of the people living there may have taken the surnames Cöllner or Köllner. Many of them had their surname changed to other spellings when they immigrated to other countries, such as the United States, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
In some cases, the surname Cöllner can also be found spelled Collner or Kollner. This variation may have originated either as a shortening of the original name, or as a result of a phonetic spelling of the original German name, which would have been spoken differently in different areas.
In Scandinavia, specifically Sweden and Norway, the surname Cöllner is often spelled with an "ö" rather than an "o", which is thought to be because it is based on the Swedish word for coal. In the Netherlands, the surname is often spelled Köllen.
In the United States, some variations of the name have been Americanized to make them easier to pronounce, such as with the surname Cullen. The spelling of the surname can also be changed when immigrants move to anglophone countries, with the most common change from Cöllner to Kollner.
Famous people with the name Cöllner
- Tim Cöllner: Tim Cöllner is a German professional ice hockey left-winger currently playing for the Hamburg Freezers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2003 National Hockey League (NHL) Draft.
- Jan Cöllner: Jan Cöllner is a German actor and voice actor. He is known for voicing characters in many animated films, TV series, and video games.
- Michael Cöllner: Michael Cöllner is a German sprinter who represented his home country in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, competing in the 200 and 400 meters events.
- Simon Cöllner: Simon Cöllner is a German alpine skier who has competed in multiple Alpine Skiing World Cup competitions.
- Johannes Cöllner: Johannes Cöllner is a German medievalist and the chair of the Department of German Studies at the University of Connecticut in the United States.
- Jürgen Cöllner: Jürgen Cöllner is a former German footballer who played in the Bundesliga in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He is currently the managing director of the TSV 1860 München football team.
- Andi Cöllner: Andi Cöllner is a German football goalkeeper who currently plays for Würzburger Kickers in Bundesliga II.
- Philipp Cöllner: Philipp Cöllner is a German modern pentathlete who competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics, and currently works as a coach in the Core Sports Initiative in the Stuttgart-Bad Cannstatt region.
- Claudia Cöllner: Claudia Cöllner is a German figure skater who has competed in several international competitions, including the 2015 World Figure Skating Championships.