The name Kellen is an old Anglo-Saxon name. It comes from when a family lived in the now-lost settlement of Kelland Barton in the county of Devon. The surname Kellen belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.
The surname Kellen was first found in Devon where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Painsford in Asprington, some say before the Norman Conquest of England by Duke William of Normandy in 1066 A.D. Professor Seary of Newfoundland suggests that there was also a Kelland Barton in Devon but he has been unable to find it. This may have been a family tradition.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kellen research. Another 57 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1712, 1635, 1692, 1679, 1681 and 1685 are included under the topic Early Kellen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Kellen were recorded, including Kelland, Kellands, Kellan, Kellen, Keland, Kelan, Kelane, Kellane, Keeland, Kealand, Kellend and many more.
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kellen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Kellen family emigrate to North America: