Surname Pellan - Meaning and Origin

Pellan: What does the surname Pellan mean?

The surname Pellan is of French origin, more specifically from Brittany (Bretagne), a region in Northwestern France. Variations of the name can be traced back to ancient times. Nevertheless, like many surnames, the exact meaning of Pellan is not certain due to the evolution and transformation of languages over centuries. It is suggested to be derived from the old Breton language where 'pellan' means 'far off' or 'distant.' Despite this, surnames often connect to geographical areas, so Pellan could refer to a particular location within Brittany. Notably, Alfred Pellan, a distinguished Canadian painter of the 20th century, made this surname famous. Please note that the actual meaning might be different as definitively tracing name origins is often challenging.

Pellan: Where does the name Pellan come from?

The last name Pellan is most commonly found in Canada, particularly in the province of Quebec. French Canadians trace their roots back to the early French settlers of the 16th century, and the name Pellan has become quite common. It is also common in the French regions of Brittany, Normandy, and Lorraine.

Within the French-speaking Canadian population, Pellan is widely distributed. In Montreal, estimates place the number of families bearing the surname at over 5,000. It is even more common in the outlying cities and small towns of Quebec such as Hull, Trois-Rivieres, and Joliette.

Over the centuries, the spellings of the name have varied. In Quebec alone, some of the variations include Pelland, Pelletier, Pellerin, Pellandin, Pelletan, and Pelletan. It may be found as Pellen in Costa Rica, Pelletan in the Bahamas, and Pellan in the French West Indies.

In the United States, one can find the Pellan name in many states including New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, California, and Florida. Many of these individuals are descendants of French-Canadian immigrants who left their homeland in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in search of a better life.

Despite emigration, the name Pelletier remains strong in Canada, and many of the descendants have kept their family legacy alive through the generations. Today, the last name Pellan is a testament to the proud heritage of French-Canadian culture and its continuing legacy throughout the world.

Variations of the surname Pellan

The surname Pellan is of French origin, and appears to date back to the Middle Ages in France. There are several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the Pellan surname. Variants include Pelan, Pellanson, Pelanson, Pelensens, Pellen, Pellin, Pellenques and Pellenque. Some of these variants appear to have developed over time as the name spread from place to place.

The Pellan surname may also be found as Pellen, Pelen and Pellens. It is derived from the Old French word Pellena, which means “skinny” or “lean”. It is believed that the surname may have initially been derived from the name of a person with a thin or lean physique.

The spelling of the name may have varied depending on the dialect and region of France. It is also possible that the spelling was changed to make the name easier to pronounce. For example, the spelling Pellan may have been changed to Pelan or Pellen.

In the United States, the Pellan surname is most common in Louisiana and Texas. In Canada, the Pellan surname is most common in Quebec.

It is important to note that the spelling of surnames may have varied over time and between locations, and even within a single family. Therefore, it is possible that members of the same family may have different spellings of their surname.

Famous people with the name Pellan

• Frère Marc Pellan: Famed French Canadian Cistercian monk, author, and theologian.
• Paul Pellan: A Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL for the Montreal Canadiens between 1955 and 1960.
• Yvon Pellan: A Canadian television producer often associated with classic Quebec science-fiction series like Les Amants de l'Espace and Solar Taxi.
• Arthur Pellan: A Canadian artist primarily known for his large-scale murals based on the Bible.
• Tom Pellan: An American film and television actor who made appearances in National Lampoon's Vacation, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, and Quantum Leap.
• Gino Pellan: A Canadian artist and sculptor, best known for his colourful pieces made out of salvaged construction timber.
• Friz Freleng: Iconic director of a number of classic Looney Tunes cartoons who was born Friz Louis Pellan.
• J-F Pellan: A Canadian politician who served as mayor of Val-d'Or, Quebec from April 2010 to April 2013.
• Gaston Pellan: A French Canadian playwright and radio broadcaster, best known for his play Vivre Debout written and performed in 1940.
• Francine Pelletier: A highly acclaimed Quebec journalist, host, and documentarist who wrote under the pen name Francine Pellan.

Other surnames

PellamPellandPellant