Surname Bouwman - Meaning and Origin
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Bouwman: What does the surname Bouwman mean?
The last name Bouwman is of Dutch origin, and is derived from the Dutch word ‘bouwen’ which translates to ‘build’ or ‘builder’. Therefore, the name literally means “one who builds.” It is believed that this name emerged as a description for occupation, among bench joiners, carpenters, builders, and others who operated in the area of construction and building.
When it was first used more widely in the Netherlands, it was written ‘de Bouwman’, or ‘the Builder’, and was borne as a hereditary surname. The surname often appears with the prefix ‘van’, derived from the middle Dutch word which means ‘of’ or ‘from’. This indicates the family’s origin photos from a former locality. It is likely that the Bouwman families (with or without the van prefix) originated from the same regions of the Netherlands.
The Bouwman surname is uncommon in the English-speaking world, but is still preserved in the Netherlands. It is estimated that nearly ten thousand people living today possess this surname, and it continues to be handed down from generation to generation as a mark of heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisBouwman: Where does the name Bouwman come from?
The last name Bouwman is most common in the Netherlands, with approximately 12,000 people bearing the surname. It is also found in other parts of Europe, such as Germany, Belgium, and France as well as in various other countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In the Netherlands, the surname is most commonly found around the provinces of Noord-Brabant, Drenthe, Overijssel, Gelderland, and Gelderland. It is also found in other parts of the country and is especially popular in the Veluwe area, where it is one of the top ten most common surnames.
Outside the Netherlands, Bouwman is most well represented in Germany, with the largest concentration of people bearing the name residing in the states of Lower Saxony, Bavaria, and North Rhine-Westphalia. In the United States, it is most common in the states of Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin.
Overall, the last name Bouwman is most associated with the Netherlands, but it is present in other countries as well. It is a surname with both historical and contemporary significance that continues to live on in various parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Bouwman
The surname Bouwman is of Dutch origin and is derived from the Dutch construction word bouw meaning "build". The name is most likely to have been used to denote a job title which would have been given to a professional builder who was hired by a larger employer. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as Bouwman include: Bohman, Boeman, Böhman, Bouman, Bouwema, Boewman, Bauwman, Bauwmans, Baumans, Bovman, and Boemans.
The earliest recorded use of the surname Bouwman originates from the Northern Dutch province of Friesland in the 16th century. This gives an indication of the ancient origins of the surname Bouwman. Since the 1600s, the name has spread throughout the Netherlands and German-speaking countries such as Austria.
In North America, immigrants of Dutch origin brought variants of the name such as Bouwman, Booman, and Böhman in the early 19th century. As Dutch immigrants mixed with settlers of other European origins, the spelling of the surname also changed, becoming Bovman, Boemans, and Bouwema.
Those bearing the surname Bouwman are likely descended from an ancient craftsman crafting beautiful buildings for generations. It has survived centuries, both in Europe and in North America, as a testament to the history of these hardworking ancestors.
Famous people with the name Bouwman
- Geplaatst Als Bouwman: Dutch soccer player currently playing for FC Volendam
- Harrie Bouwman: Dutch actor, who mainly appeared in television series
- Petra Bouwman: Dutch politician, representing the political party CDA
- Kees Bouwman: Dutch actor, screenwriter and director
- Annelies Bouwman: Dutch cyclist, who won the Dutch National Championship three times
- Sander Bouwman: Dutch psychologist specialized in clinical psychology
- Wietse Bouwman: Dutch composer and conductor
- Remko Bouwman: Dutch voice actor and dubbing director
- Jan Bouwman: Dutch actor, mostly known for his roles in TV sitcoms
- Johan Bouwman: Dutch poet and essayist