Surname Hell - Meaning and Origin
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S. Hell
read moreHell: What does the surname Hell mean?
The last name Hell is believed to have originated in Germany or Scandinavia in the Middle Ages. At the time many surnames were derived from given names or locations, and it's likely that Hell derived from the German/Scandinavian word “helle,” which means “hill” or “cliff”. The name may have originally been used to refer to the family's origin in a geographic region of hills or cliffs.
The name may also be derived from a Germanic personal name, and is pronounced "hellleh" in modern German. It is sometimes thought to derive from the Old English word “helian,” meaning “to hide” or “conceal.” This would imply that the original family descended from someone who had a hidden or concealed role in society.
The name evolved from Helle to Heil to Hell and eventually to the modern spelling. There are several variants of the name throughout Europe, such as Heil, Helle, Hellmann, and Hiller.
In modern usage, Hell is a common surname throughout Germany, Scandinavia, and Austria, as well as other European countries where German-speaking immigrants have settled. The name is also increasingly common around the world, as German immigrants have carried their name to many different parts of the world.
Order DNA origin analysisHell: Where does the name Hell come from?
The last name Hell is believed to be of German or Swiss origin, and is most commonly found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein today. This surname is also found in other German-speaking parts of the world like Slovakia, the United States, Canada, and Australia.
In Germany, the name Hell is one of the 300 common surnames. In the country, the last name is mainly concentrated in the East and Southwest. In fact, Hell was among the top 500 surnames in Bavaria in the year 2003.
In the United States, the last name Hell is particularly common in Pennsylvania and Ohio, but it can also be found in other states across the country. Additionally, people with the surname Hell can be found in parts of Canada such as Ontario and Quebec.
In Australia, the surname Hell is far less common than in other countries in the region. However, the Australian surname survey in 1981 found around 500 people with this last name living there.
In summary, the last name Hell is commonly found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, United States, Canada, and Australia.
Variations of the surname Hell
Hell is an uncommon Anglo-Saxon surname that originated from England. The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for Hell are as follows:
Hell: This is the most common spelling of the name.
Hells: This is a variant spelling of the name.
Helle: This variation is found for this last name in both the United States and England.
Heller: The German version of this surname.
Helle: This spelling is occasionally seen in the United States.
Hellen: The Scandinavian version of this surname.
Heller: Another spelling found in the United States.
Helliwell: This is an English derivative from which the surname Hell originated.
Hellewell: A related English name.
Hellwig: This is a hybridized combination of Hell and wig, which is an old word for “fighter.”
Hellier: It is a French variation of the name.
Helley: This variant is seen occasionally in the United States.
Hellman: A German variation.
Hellmann: An alternate German spelling.
Helman: A variation of the German version.
Holl: This spelling is most commonly found in the United States.
Hollis: This variation of the name is found primarily in England.
Holloman: A combination of Holl and man.
Holleman: A related variation of Hollman.
Hull: Another English surname related to Hell.
Hal, Haley, Hall, Hill, Hille, Hollin, Hollon, Holman, Holzapfel, and Halley are also surnames that could be of the same origin as Hell. All in all, the variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Hell are quite varied and numerous.
Famous people with the name Hell
- Anette Hell, Swedish chef and television host
- Alexander Hell, German ice hockey player
- Carla-Maria Hell, German actress
- Meir Ariel Hell, Israeli poet, musician, and songwriter
- Marcello Hellan, Italian film director
- Erich Hell, German-American artist
- Josef Hell, German composer and conductor
- Sylvia Hell, German theater and movie actress
- Chiara Hell, Austrian television presenter
- Gionata Hell, Swiss professional footballer
- Carlos Hell, Chilean professional golfer
- Max Hell, German architect
- John deVon Hell, American musician
- Sofie Hell, Norwegian professional golfer
- Owen Hell, English actor
- Sverker Hell, Swedish composer
- Rudolf Hell, German inventor
- Pauline Hell, German artist
- Gregory Hell, American author
- Jonathan Hell, Australian politician