Surname Mulle - Meaning and Origin
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Mulle: What does the surname Mulle mean?
The last name Mulle comes from an old French surname meaning "small sea". It is a popular surname primarily in France and the Basque region, but can be found throughout Europe. It is occasionally also seen as Muelle or Mull, and is believed to be derived from the Latin mollis meaning "soft".
The surname originated as a nickname for someone who lived near the ocean, thought to refer to the small sea-swells from nearby shores. It may have also been used as an occupational surname for someone in the shipbuilding industry or working in port or harbor activities. Alternatively, it could be a form of the Middle English moul, denoting a miller or mill worker.
The earliest recorded mention of the surname Mulle is from 15th century France, when the brothers Jacques and Pierre Mulle were recorded. Later, Louis Mulle was the leader of the Fronde uprising during the 17th century in France. In modern day, the family continue to be prominent throughout France and the Basque region, and are found worldwide in various forms.
Order DNA origin analysisMulle: Where does the name Mulle come from?
The last name Mulle is most common in Germany, with the greatest concentration of people with this surname found in northwestern Germany, particularly Lower Saxony and Brandenburg, where it ranks among the top 200 most common surnames. There are approximately 806 people in Germany with the last name Mulle, with the highest population recorded in 1946 with 1,199 people.
Outside of Germany, the surname Mulle can be found in parts of Scandinavia such as Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. In these countries, the name is likely derived from the biblical name Molle, which appears in Matthew 1:5.
The name Mulle can also be found among French-speaking communities. In France, it was popularized by Huguenots who fled France in the 16th century in an effort to avoid religious persecution.
In the United States, Mulle is a fairly rare surname, most commonly found along the east coast, especially in New York and Massachusetts. In the 2000 U.S. Census, 690 people in the United States were recorded as having the last name Mulle.
Overall, the last name Mulle is most common in Germany, with a significant presence in Scandinavia, France, and the United States.
Variations of the surname Mulle
The surname Mulle is an extremely rare last name, with limited variations and phonetic spellings. The variations and spellings of the Mulle surname are Muller, Mulles, Muelle, Muelles, Muelle, Muelles, Mulla, Muller, Molle, Molles, Molla, Mollas, Mol, Mols, Muhl, Muhls, Muuhl, Mühl, and Mühls. The origin of the surname Mulle can be German, French, and Dutch.
In German, the surname Mulle is derived from the Latin word ‘mullus’, which refers to a red fish-like species. This surname could have been an occupational name given to those who obtained the fish. In French, the surname Mulle is derived from the word ‘moule’, referencing either a fish or shellfish prepared and sold in markets. The Dutch version Mulle may have derived from the Dutch word ‘mullen’, meaning to mill grain.
The surnames which have the same or similar origin as Mulle is mainly Molle, including variants such as Mole, Mol, Mols, Moll, Molla, Molles, and Molle. These surnames are mainly derived from the Middle Low German word ‘mol’, meaning a still or low-lands. It could also have been an occupational name referring to a miller.
The other surnames of the same origin as Mulle are Mühl, Mühls, Muuhl, Muhl, and Muhls. This surname is derived from the Middle High German ‘muhl’, meaning mill. It could, therefore, have been an occupational name for a miller.
The rare and limited variations and spellings of the surname Mulle demonstrate the great variety and depth of history carried within its roots. It is likely that the surname Mulle had numerous variations due to methods of spelling and accents of the region in which it originated.
Famous people with the name Mulle
- Nicky Mulle, German singer, songwriter, and YouTube star.
- Tammie Mulle, American gospel singer and producer.
- Simon Mulle, Scottish composer and sound designer.
- Eric Mulle, French actor and director.
- Axel Mulle, Danish film director, photographer, and cinematographer.
- Dolorès Mulle, French actress and singer.
- Joseph Mulle, Indonesian painter and sculptor.
- John Mulle, English mathematician.
- Katharina Mulle, German figure skater.
- Yannick Mulle, French sprinter and hurdler.
- Rev. Roger Mulle, Canadian Anglican priest.
- Donny Mulle, Dutch rugby union player.
- Abou Mulle, Senegalese football player.
- Mayank Mulle, Indian YouTuber and digital influencer.
- Justine Mulle, French television presenter.
- Päivi Mulle, Finnish actress.
- Jonas Mulle, Swedish artist and illustrator.
- Bengt Mulle, Swedish politician.
- Marjorie Mulle, British Olympic diver.
- Jean-Louis Mulle, French philosopher and professor.