Surname Edelman - Meaning and Origin

Edelman: What does the surname Edelman mean?

The last name Edelman is a German Jewish name derived from the Yiddish term edel, meaning "noble." The original meaning of the name is typically traced to the Old German words for "nobleman" or "aristocrat." In Jewish tradition, an Edelman was someone of high social standing, often holding high offices of leadership within the community. In addition to social prestige, the title of Edelman often came with wealth and distinguished lineage.

The name is also a fairly common Ashkenazi Jewish surname, with origin stories ranging from Prussia to ancestors who had moved away from Eastern Europe. Today, the Edelman name is commonly found in the United States with populations living in California, New York, and Pennsylvania.

The Edelman family line has many branches, with each branch having its own unique heritage and story. One prominent literary figure with the last name of Edelman was Saul Bellow, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature; Brooklyn native Allan Edelman is renowned as a successful business leader; and contemporary rabbi David Edelman was instrumental in the establishment of a new community in Atlanta.

The legacy of Edelmans past and present speaks to the courage and tenacity of the Jewish community throughout the diaspora. The name will continue to be passed down through the years, serving to honor and remember the men and women who have helped build, shape, and strengthen the global Jewish community.

Edelman: Where does the name Edelman come from?

The last name Edelman is most commonly found in modern day in the United States of America. It is believed to be of Jewish origin and was first seen as early as 1285 during the feudal period in Prussia. This family name is most concentrated in the Chicago metropolitan area of Illinois, where nearly 22,000 people share this last name.

Edelman is also common in the state of New York particularly in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. In Pennsylvania, the top three counties with the highest concentration of the Edelman surname are Northampton, Bucks, and Montgomery counties. The populous city of Philadelphia also falls into the list of top cities with the highest Edelman density.

In the state of California, the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco have the highest Edelman populations. Other than the states already mentioned, the name is also popular in the states of Colorado, Missouri, Nevada, and Texas, among others.

Edelman is not limited to the United States, however, and many people who share the surname are also found in countries such as Belarus, Canada, Israel, Peru, the United Kingdom, and various others across the globe.

Variations of the surname Edelman

The surname Edelman has many variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin. These variants, spellings, and other surnames are all derived from the old German word ‘adelman’, which means ‘nobleman’ or ‘nobleman of the court’. Some of the more common variants of the surname Edelman are:

Adelman: This is the most common spelling of the name.

Adelmann: This spelling is commonly found in German speaking countries.

Adelyman: This spelling is a variation of the traditional ‘Adelman’.

Aidelman: This is another variation of the original surname ‘Adelman’.

Edelmann: This is a variation of the original surname that is found in German speaking countries.

Eidellman: This alternate surname spelling is found in some areas of the United States.

Other surnames of the same origin as Edelman include: Aldman, Aidellman, Eddleman, Elderman, and Idelman.

These variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin as Edelman can be helpful in a genealogical search. Knowing these options and variants of the surname could lead to finding long lost family members or uncovering new family connections. Understanding the possible different spelling of a surname can be instrumental in uncovering family secrets and histories.

Famous people with the name Edelman

• Julian Edelman: an American football wide receiver for the NFL's New England Patriots. He is a three-time Super Bowl champion and Super Bowl MVP and was named MVP of Super Bowl LIII.
• Malcolm Edelman: a trial lawyer and children's rights advocate and founding partner from Edelman & Thompson, LLC. He was honored with the Champion of Justice award for his work in protecting the rights of abused and neglected children.
• Donald Edelman: a former screenwriter and playwright, best known for his work on the Emmy-winning film The White Shadow. His plays have been performed in the United States and Europe.
• Michael Edelman: a scientist and strategic consultant in the field of lasers and remote sensing. He has worked on projects for NASA, the US Navy, and the US Department of Defense.
• Roger Edelman: a former mayor of Aspen, Colorado. He was also the founder and chairman of the Yampa Valley Bank and a conservationist and environmentalist.
• Donna Edelman: an American actress, best known for appearing in classic films such as in the film The Ultimate Warrior and popular television shows such as Hill Street Blues.
• Leon Edelman: a businessman and philanthropist, best known for his work with the Edelman group of companies and for his philanthropic activities, including his foundation, which has a special focus on education and Jewish causes.
• Adam Edelman: a journalist and political writer, currently serving as the political editor and columnist at the New York Daily News and NBC News. He is a frequent commentator on CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News.
• Bernie Edelman: an American author and philanthropist. He is best known for his books on Jewish ethics and values, as well as his extensive work in Jewish communal life.
• Norah Edelman: a Jewish-American author and activist. She is renowned for her work on issues such as gender inequality, reproductive rights, and public health.

Other surnames

EdelmannEdelmund