Surname Hele - Meaning and Origin
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Hele: What does the surname Hele mean?
The surname Hele is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is a topographic name for someone who lived near a secret or hidden place. It is derived from the Old English pre-7th Century word "hel" which means "to cover, conceal or hide". It was often used to denote places like small dells, hollows, and nooks in the landscape, unseen from general view. The surname first appeared in written records in the late 12th century in England. Like many surnames of early origin, the surname spelling varied which includes Hele, Heales, and Helle. These days it is more common in the southwest of England, especially in Devon and Cornwall. The notable bearers of this last name include English politician Sir John Hele and British lawyer Sir Francis Hele during the 16th and 17th centuries. Surname meanings can vary based on regional use and historical context, so possible interpretations are generally speculative.
Order DNA origin analysisHele: Where does the name Hele come from?
The surname Hele is of Anglo-Saxon origin, developed in the area that was once the ancient kingdom of Wessex, in southwestern England. The name is linked to when the family lived in the village of Heal, in the county of Somerset. Some believe it might have also derived from a personal name "Heal" or a topographic name from "hegh" meaning high and "hyll" meaning hill.
The Hele surname has been present in the British Isles from early times, with records dating back to the 12th century. Over the centuries, many members of the Hele family migrated to other parts of the British Empire. Today, the surname Hele remains most common in England, specifically the regions of Devon and Somerset, where the family held a seat as Lords of the Manor since early times.
Outside of England, the surname Hele may also be found in other English-speaking countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, due to historical emigration patterns. However, it continues to be relatively rare in these regions.
Variations of the surname Hele
The surname Hele is of English origin. It appears to have multiple versions and related surnames due to regional variations, spelling changes over time, and phonetic spelling during initial immigration records.
Some variations of Hele may include Helle, Heel, Heele, and Hell. Sometimes, 's' may be added at the end, making it Heles or Helles. Certain variants add an additional 'e' as in Heele, Helee, Heelees, or Heeles. Changes involving a single alphabet, like changing 'e' to 'a' or 'i', can result in Hal, Hale, Hil, or Hile.
Related surnames with similar origins could be Hall, Heal, Hell, Hill, and Hull. Some other possible surnames could be Healey, Haley, or Heally which might have been inspired by Hele combined with a geographical term. These names are often associated with families living near a hall (large house), hill, or a hollow.
It's important to note that name variations could also have resulted from translation errors or phonetic spelling by immigration officers when ancestors migrated to new lands, especially in the case of English names in non-English speaking countries.
Famous people with the name Hele
- Doug Hele, former Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Eaton Corporation.
- William Hele, English silversmith.
- Louisa Hele, British actress.
- Peter Hele, Australian artist and craftsman.
- Alan Hele, Australian rules footballer.
- Nigel Hele, Australian cricketer.
- John Hele, English entomologist.
- Frank Hele, British knitwear designer.
- George Hele, British architect.
- Sir John Hele, British naval officer and explorer.
- Anna Maria Hele, English artist.
- William Hele, British artist.
- Kelly Hele, Papua New Guinea cricketer.
- Edward Hele, Australian Victoria Cross recipient.
- Alexander Hele, English artist.
- Ralph Hele, English soldier.
- Joseph Hele, English astronomer.
- Morwenna Hele, British actress.
- Ernest Smith Hele, British geologist and paleontologist.
- Adriana Hele, Spanish actress.