Surname Handelman - Meaning and Origin
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Handelman: What does the surname Handelman mean?
The surname Handelman is of Ashkenazi Jewish origin. It is an occupational surname, denoting a profession or job that an ancestor practiced, similar to how the name "Smith" might indicate the profession of a blacksmith. The term “handel” means “trade” in German and Yiddish. Hence, a Handelman may have been an individual involved in trade or commerce. This name would often be bestowed upon ancestors who were traders or merchants in their respective communities. As with many Jewish surnames, they were formed during the late 18th and 19th centuries when governments in Europe required Jews to adopt a fixed last name. Thus, Handelman was born out of the economic status and occupation of a specific family. As people emigrated and generations changed, the surname carried on to descendants, regardless of their individual occupations.
Order DNA origin analysisHandelman: Where does the name Handelman come from?
The surname Handelman is of Ashkenazi Jewish origin. It was generally adopted by people in Eastern Europe, specifically regions that are part of modern-day Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Germany, and Russia. The term Handelman may literally mean 'trader' or 'huckster', and could have been a professional surname given to individuals involved in mercantile or trading activities.
Like many other Jewish surnames, it is likely that the surname Handelman spread to various other parts of the world due to Jewish diaspora caused by historical events like World War II, shifts in regional dominance, and pursuit of economic opportunities.
Today, the surname Handelman is prevalent in countries like the United States, Canada, and Israel, where waves of Ashkenazi Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe sought asylum and established their homes. Nonetheless, it still can be found in countries of its likely origin, with a considerable presence in Ukraine as well. Due to this widespread dispersion, the exact concentration of the Handelman surname isn’t confined to one particular region or country but rather is observed globally.
Variations of the surname Handelman
The surname Handelman is of Jewish (Ashkenazic) origin. However, various spelling alterations, regional influences, and translations could result in different versions of this surname. Variations may result in changes in different languages or due to immigration.
Other variants of the name Handelman could include Handelmann, Handleman, Handelmani, Handelmanni, Handelmans, Hindelman, Hindlemann, Hendelman, Hendelmann, etc. Some families may have also truncated the name to Handel, or anglicized the spelling to something like Handelmane or Handelsman.
It's also possible that some families may have converted the original surname to a more phonetic or localized spelling, thereby creating additional variations. For example, the name could be anglicised to Handlin or Handlen.
The surname may also have parallels with similar sounding or derivative surnames in Yiddish or German origin, given the Ashkenazic background, like Handler or Händler.
Each of these variant names connects back to the original surname Handelman but may have evolved separately due to various cultural, historical, or personal reasons.
Famous people with the name Handelman
- Lizzy Caplan: Born as Elizabeth Anne Caplan, the American actress, best known for her roles in films like "Mean Girls" and "Cloverfield," was once married to Tom Riley but before that, she was in a long-term relationship with actor Matthew Perry. She was also linked to actor Matthew Handelman.
- Max Handelman: He is an American sportswriter, film producer, and blogger. He co-authored the book, "Why Fantasy Football Matters: (And Our Lives Do Not)" with Erik Barmack. Handelman is also recognized as the co-founder of the production company, Brownstone Productions, with his wife and actress, Elizabeth Banks. Some popular films produced by the company include "Surrogates," "Pitch Perfect," and its sequels.
- Ben Handelman: He is a known news anchor and reporter contributing to the FOX6 team in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His coverage of major news events such as the Sikh Temple Shooting in 2012, has been recognized and appreciated. He was honored with an Emmy by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for his contribution in FOX6's team coverage.
- Buzzy Cohen: Born Austin David Cohen, Buzzy is a recording industry executive who gained fame after his successful appearances on Jeopardy!. He is married to Elisha Levin Handelman.