Surname Boßmann - Meaning and Origin

Boßmann: What does the surname Boßmann mean?

The surname Boßmann is derived from an Old German word 'buzeman' meaning 'farmer on a hill'. It is thought to have been first used by people derived to Saxons who were living in the area known now as the German states of Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria and the Netherlands.

The original family name was likely spelt 'Buzeman' or 'Booseman', deriving from the language of Old Saxon, which was spoken in the area during the 9th century. The surname is believed to have been given to people who worked as farmers on higher land.

The family name then evolved from 'Buzeman' to the modern German spelling of 'Boßmann'. Boßmann is now the 27,080th most popular name in the world, while in Germany it is the 962nd most common last name.

The Boßmann surname continues to be used in Germany and in other countries today, including the Netherlands, France and the United States. It has particular resonance among people with Germanic history, and those whose ancestors emigrated from Germany and to whom the Boßmann family name has remained central to their sense of identity and connection to the past.

Boßmann: Where does the name Boßmann come from?

The last name Boßmann is a German surname, originating from North Germany and the Low Countries. The name is most commonly found today in the German-speaking countries, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Boßmann also appears in various countries around the world, often as a result of immigrants from Germany and the Low Countries, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina and The Netherlands.

The Boßmann name is derived from the German word bosse, meaning “to swell” or “to bump”. It typically refers to a porters job, of heaving sacks, barrels or other items. It may also refer to a brewer or even a miner. The suffix mann is German for man. Thus, the literal meaning of Boßmann is "swelling or bumping man".

The coat of arms for the Boßmann family features an anchor, which symbolizes strength and reliability. It is also possible that the anchor represents seafaring, as Germans have a long history of trading via boat - particularly in the Low Countries. The color blue also suggests the sea - and in this case likely oceanic trade for the Boßmann family.

Today, the Boßmann name does not carry much prestige, though its origin speaks of hardworking, industrious people that made a living in honest, reliable labor. The Boßmann family is still found in many countries, but its history has largely been lost and forgotten.

Variations of the surname Boßmann

The surname Boßmann has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Common variants include Boßman, Bossmann, Bossman, Bossmann, Busemann, and Buseman. In the Netherlands the variants Bossman and Buseman are often found. In Switzerland, Bossman is the most common variant.

The lower-case version of the surname: ‘bösmann’, which mainly occurs in Upper Swabia and Lake Constance area of Germany, is believed to have originated from an occupational name for an innkeeper, derived from the German word ‘bossen’ or ‘bössen’ meaning to offer drinks or meals.

Bößmann is a variant often found in Germany which is derived from the medieval personal name ‘Bößo‘, derived from the Old High German ‘boso’ which means ‘ready’ or ‘prepared’.

In some cases, the surname is associated with a place name, indicating where the original bearer of the name once lived. The German form ‘Bösman’ is derived from the German word for a place of settlement, i.e. ‘büsse’. Bussmann is also a variant which has originated from the place name ‘Bussum’, an area in South Holland.

The surnames Bossen, Bösing, Bussin, and Busse are a variants of Bösmann that have arisen from the medieval personal name ‘Bozzo’ which was derived from the Old High German word ‘buzo’ which means brave or daring.

The surname Boßmann is also connected to the Spanish surname Bossano. This surname is derived from the Latin word ‘boscanus’ meaning of a butcher or butcher-like.

Lastly, the surnames Boseman and Bosen are most likely derived from the Jewish personal name ‘Boaz’ which means ‘in him is strength.’

Famous people with the name Boßmann

• Philipp Boßmann: German footballer
• Jörg Boßmann: former German footballer
• Hans-Joachim Boßmann: former German politician
• Claudia Boßmann: German actress
• Heinz Boßmann: German photographer
• Eric Boßmann: former German footballer
• Peter Boßmann: German entrepreneur and philanthropist
• Heinz-Peter Boßmann: German theologian
• Günter Boßmann: German cyclist
• Hugo Boßmann: German musician and composer

Other surnames

Boßmanns