Lehn

Lehn is a name that can refer to a surname, a geographic toponym, and a historical feudal concept in German-speaking regions. The term originates from the medieval German Lehen (also spelled Lehn in some sources), meaning a fief or feudal holding granted by a lord to a vassal. A Lehen was tied to loyalty and specific services owed to the lord. In contemporary usage, the word survives mainly in historical contexts and in place names.

Geography and toponymy: Lehn appears as a place name in several parts of Europe, particularly in German-speaking areas. Localities named Lehn often date to medieval settlements connected with feudal tenure, and they may be independent villages or incorporated into larger municipalities. In some cases, Lehn occurs as part of longer compound place names, reflecting historical ownership or tenancy.

People and distribution: Lehn is used as a surname in German-speaking countries and among communities with German heritage. The surname typically indicates ancestral ties to a place named Lehn or to a feudal holding historically referred to as a Lehen. Today, bearers of the name can be found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the wider diaspora.

See also: Lehen, a related term used in historical and linguistic contexts to denote feudal tenure.