Surname Boesmans - Meaning and Origin

Boesmans: What does the surname Boesmans mean?

The surname Boesmans is of Dutch origin and is derived from the Middle Dutch word ‘bosman’, meaning ‘forest or woodsman’. This occupation was often held by “commons” or lower class people, as they assisted the nobility in the creation and maintenance of hunting grounds and wild animal preserves, often accompanying them on their hunts as well.

In some cases, this term was adopted as a surname by families looking to distinguish their names from other families with the same given names. It is likely that those with the Boesmans surname came from areas that contained a lot of wooded areas such as forests.

The name ‘Boesmans’ is very unusual and is still found in the Low Countries. There are several variations of the name, such as Bofi, Bosman, Boesman, Boezemans and Bozesmans. The distribution of these surname variations suggests that there may be a relation between the families, although it is difficult to prove.

The Boesmans family name reflects a hard-working heritage and many of the modern-day members of the family name are proud of their heritage as people associated with the creation and maintenance of wild animal preserves. This is a great example of how important names can be when discovering a family’s history and is a reminder of the importance of preserving the history and traditions associated with one’s surname.

Boesmans: Where does the name Boesmans come from?

The last name Boesmans is predominantly found in Belgium, particularly in the regions of East Flanders and West Flanders. It is also quite commonly found in the Netherlands, particularly in the provinces of North Brabant and Zeeland.

Boesmans is an occupational name, derived from the Middle Dutch or Low German word ‘boesman’, which originally meant ‘woodcutter’ or ‘woodsman’. This last name was likely taken on by a woodcutter or woodsman as an occupation or label of their person.

In more recent times, the surname Boesmans can be found in many countries around the world, particularly in places where there are large populations of Belgian and Dutch expatriates, such as the United States. It is most common, however, in Europe.

In the online genealogy database FamilySearch, the surname Boesmans is mentioned in records that date back to 1547, which gives some indication about how long this family name has been in existence and where its roots lie. So, if you have the last name Boesmans, chances are you have European lineage or Belgian or Dutch ancestors.

Variations of the surname Boesmans

The surname Boesmans is derived from Dutch and Flemish and is an occupational name derived from the word “boesman” meaning “woodsman” or “lumberjack,” a reference to the family’s occupation of working with or living in the woodlands. It is also connected to the German "Buschmann," meaning "bushman" or "wilderness dweller".

Variants of this surname include Boisman, Bozman, Bosman, Boersman, and Boorsman. Common spellings are Boesmans, Bosmans, and Bosmanns.

In some areas, the name has also been adopted as a patronymic surname with the prefixes de, von, and van. Surnames from this origin may include Boesman, Van Boesmans, Van Bosman, and Van Bosmans.

Other variants of the surname from Dutch and Flemish origins may include Boersen, Boersenman, Boesende, Boersema, Boersma, Boersenkamp, Boersma, Boersema, Boersma, and Boersema.

In some areas of northern Germany and Danish-speaking regions, the name is also found as Pösche, Pös, Poesch, and Poersch.

In some cases, the surname has also been modified to Boeschel, Boeschele, Buschel, Buschele, Buschle, Bosche, Boschel, Buschelle, Buschle, and Buschla.

In addition, there may be variants of other surnames derived from the same source, such as Bois, Boiz, Boys, Boyse, and Boix.

Famous people with the name Boesmans

• Peter Boesmans: Belgian cyclist and winner of the Tour of Britain in 2012.
• Graham Boesmans: professional football player who has played for several European clubs, including Feyenoord and AS Monaco.
• Robert Boesmans: Belgian opera composer who has composed several acclaimed works.
• Cyriel Boesmans: one of Belgium’s most popular contemporary playwrights.
• Anthon Boesmans: Belgian entrepreneur who founded several companies, including direct mail giant Belgolaise.
• Jean Boesmans: prominent Belgian banker and politician, known for his work in the Belgian Senate.
• Bram Boesmans: former president of the Royal Belgian Football Association and UEFA vice-president.
• Nathalie Boesmans: Belgian political scientist who specializes in Belgium’s regional and federal government systems.
• Werner Boesmans: former Belgian Minister of Finance and International Business.
• Janin Boesmans: a Belgian painter and sculptor who served as the Chairman of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp.

Other surnames

Boesmann