Last Name Lilien

Learn more about the origin of the last name Lilien

The meaning and origin of the last name Lilien

The surname Lilien originates from Germanic roots, specifically Old High German "liuz" meaning "lily," and Old Norse "leynir" meaning "linden tree." This name, which can also be spelled as Lilién (in Scandinavian countries), is a topographic or habitational surname derived from a location named after a lily or linden tree. It was likely first used as a nickname for someone who lived near such a location or possessed qualities associated with these plants, such as beauty, grace, or strength. The name became popular in the Middle Ages and has since been found in various European countries, including Germany, Sweden, and Denmark.

Geographical distribution of the last name Lilien

The surname Lilien is predominantly of German and Jewish origin, with significant distributions in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States. In Germany, it's most commonly found in regions such as Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, and North Rhine-Westphalia. In the United States, large concentrations can be found in states like New York, California, and Florida, due to immigration waves from Germany and Eastern Europe during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The name is also present in other countries, including Israel, where it's a result of Jewish immigration, and South Africa, reflecting German migration in the 1800s. Overall, Lilien demonstrates a dispersed yet substantial presence across various European countries and North America.

Variants and spellings of the last name Lilien

The surname Lilien can be found with various spelling variations due to differences in transliteration, pronunciation, and regional changes over time. Here are some of the most common variants:

1. Lilienshohn - A variation that includes the additional 'shohn' which is a common Jewish surname-creating suffix.
2. Lilienstern - This variation likely comes from the German word for "star," indicating possible original meaning related to the name's literal translation.
3. Lilienfeld - Meaning "field of lilies" in German, it showcases another possible interpretation of the name's origins.
4. Lillien - A simpler, more direct spelling that omits some diacritics found in other variations.
5. Lillian (feminine) - While not strictly a variation of Lilien, this name is derived from the same root, meaning "lily" in multiple languages.
6. Llewelyn - An alternate spelling in Welsh, which shares some linguistic roots with Old English, although it has a different meaning ("lion") compared to Lilien.

Famous people with the last name Lilien

Max Liebermann and Otto Lilienthal are notable individuals sharing the surname Lilien, although they are more commonly known by their first names due to the German naming convention. Max Liebermann (1847-1935) was a German painter who is considered one of the most important artists in the history of Germany. He was a founder and president of the Berlin Secession and a member of the Prussian Academy of Arts. Otto Lilienthal (1848-1896), also known as Otto Glieder, was an early pioneer of human flight, sometimes referred to as the "Da Vinci of Germany." He made significant contributions to aviation by conducting numerous glider flights and recording his observations in a groundbreaking book titled "Bird Flight as the Basis for the Mechanics of Flight." While not as famous, Michael Lilien is a contemporary American artist known for his works that blend figurative painting with surrealism.

Genealogical research on the last name Lilien

The surname Lilien has origins rooted in Germany and Scandinavia, where it is believed to have derived from the Old Norse word "ljómr" or "ljófr," meaning linden tree, or possibly from the Old High German "liuhhan," referring to the lily flower. Notable figures with this surname include artists Max Liebermann and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, both prominent in the early 20th-century Expressionist movement in Germany. In Sweden, Axel Gustav Lilien was a renowned painter and illustrator during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Lilien family is also known in Jewish history, with members such as Heinrich Heine, a prominent German poet and essayist of Jewish descent who adopted "Lilien" as his pseudonym. Researching one's family tree with this surname can uncover connections to these notable figures, as well as explore the broader history and geographical dispersal of the Lilien name across Europe and beyond.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Lilien"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 23 July 2025