Kjellén

Kjellén is a surname of Swedish origin. It is a patronymic surname, meaning it is derived from the given name of a father or ancestor. The name "Kjell" is a common Swedish given name, and the "-én" suffix is a common Swedish possessive or patronymic ending. Therefore, Kjellén literally means "son of Kjell" or "belonging to Kjell."

Notable individuals with the surname Kjellén include Rudolf Kjellén (1864-1922), a Swedish political scientist and theorist. Kjellén is known for his pioneering work in the field of geopolitics. He coined the term "geopolitics" in his book "The State as a Living Organism" (1916) and developed influential theories about the relationship between geography and political power. His ideas, though later adapted and sometimes distorted by other thinkers, laid foundational concepts for the study of international relations and territorial control.

The surname Kjellén is primarily found in Sweden and among people of Swedish descent in other countries. Like many surnames, its prevalence can vary regionally within Sweden. The historical development of surnames in Sweden, including the adoption of patronymic forms, reflects the social and linguistic evolution of the country over centuries.