Show ContentsHellen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Hellen

What does the name Hellen mean?

The history of the Hellen family name begins in the German province of Bavaria. Hellen is a nickname surname, a class of German names derived from eke-names, or added names, that described people by a personal characteristic or other attribute. Hellen is a name for a person who lived in the Swabian town of Hall. Residents were so named because of the small medieval coin referred to as a heller which was first minted in the town in 1208.

Early Origins of the Hellen family

The surname Hellen was first found in Bavaria, where this family made important contributions toward the development of this kingdom from ancient times. Always prominent in social and political affairs, the family formed alliances with other families within the Feudal System and the nation. In the Middle Ages, the word "heller" referred to the coins that had been produced in Schwaebisch-Hall since the year 1208. Individual bearers of this name first mentioned in ancient chronicles include Herr Volkhart der Heller (1278) of Freiburg, Rudolph der Heller (b.1302,) a farmer in Zuerich, and Johann Heller (1378) of Goerlingen.

Early History of the Hellen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hellen research. Another 179 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1595, 1646, 1728 and 1756 are included under the topic Early Hellen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hellen Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Hellen include Heller, Hellern, Heler, Hellers, Hellerer, Helere, Hellere and many more.

Early Notables of the Hellen family

More information is included under the topic Early Hellen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Hellen migration to the United States +

German settlers were among the most common to come to North America between the mid-17th and mid-20th centuries. Poverty and religious persecution drove many Bavarians to make this long trek. tenant farmers were also enticed by the prospect of owning land. From east to west, these German immigrants populated the United States, settling in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. Ontario and the prairie provinces of Canada also provided homes to many. Early settlers bearing the Hellen surname or a spelling variation of the name include:

Hellen Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Anna Hellen, aged 11, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1732 1
  • Barbara Hellen, aged 12, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1732 1
  • Kathrina Hellen, aged 5, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1732 1
Hellen Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Lars Nielsen Hellen, aged 27, who arrived in New York, NY in 1836 1
  • John Jacobsen Hellen, aged 55, who arrived in New York, NY in 1836 1
  • Johann Hellen, who landed in North America in 1852 1

Hellen migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Hellen Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Hellen, English convict who was convicted in Essex, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Clyde" on 20th August 1830, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 2
  • Mr. Thomas Hellen, English convict who was convicted in Essex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Captain Cook" on 2nd May 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 3
  • Mr. James Hellen, English convict who was convicted in Essex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Emma Eugenia" on 2nd November 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 4
  • Catherine Hellen, aged 16, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Elgin" in 1849 5


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  2. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/clyde
  3. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th December 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/captain-cook
  4. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th March 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/emma-eugenia
  5. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ELGIN 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Elgin.htm


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