Gellner

Gellner is a surname of Central European origin. The name is borne by several individuals, most notably Ernest Gellner (1925–1995), a Czech-British philosopher and social anthropologist.

Born in Czechoslovakia, Ernest Gellner moved to Britain where he built a distinguished career in philosophy and anthropology. He is best known for his analyses of nationalism and modernity, and his work is widely cited across political theory, sociology, and cultural studies. His book Nations and Nationalism (1983) is among his most influential contributions, offering a synthesis of how industrial society and centralized states shape national identities.

In addition to Ernest Gellner, other people with the surname have appeared in academic, political, and professional contexts, though none has reached the same level of international recognition. The surname itself appears in Central European communities and can be encountered in various spellings and adaptations in diasporic populations.

Gellner is thus primarily associated with the English-speaking scholarly tradition that analyzes modern social and political life, especially the emergence and function of nations. The name may also be encountered in historical or biographical references beyond Ernest Gellner, reflecting its broader use as a family name in several regions.