Surname Hermann - Meaning and Origin

Journey Into My Past: An Emotional exploration of my Ancestry with iGENEA

My iGENEA experience was a profound journey of self-discovery. It provided ground-breaking insights into my Eastern European ancestry, whilst unveiling the deep-rooted German origins that lie behind my surname, Hermann. A newfound sense of belonging and a surge of gratitude were among the many emotions experienced during this journey.

V. Hermann

Hermann: What does the surname Hermann mean?

The last name Hermann is of German origin and means "army man" or "warrior". It is derived from the Old High German elements "heri", meaning "army", and "man", meaning "man". This suggests that the earliest bearers of the surname Hermann could have been leaders or soldiers of significance during wartime in ancient Germanic societies. It may have originally been a first name before it eventually started to be used as a surname. Like many surnames, it has variations such as Herman, Herrmann, or the Dutch equivalent, Herman. It is a fairly common surname in countries with strong historical German influences, including Germany, Austria and parts of the United States. Famous people with the surname Hermann include actor Edward Hermann, and German playwright Johann Gottfried Hermann.

Hermann: Where does the name Hermann come from?

The surname Hermann is of German origin. It derives from the personal names Herman or Hermann, which are composed of the elements "heri," meaning army, and "mann," meaning man. So it essentially implies a 'warrior' or 'soldier'. The name gained popularity during the Middle Ages under the influence of the Saint Herman who was a martyr in the early Christian Church in Cologne.

Today, the Hermann surname is most prevalent in the United States, followed by Germany. Within the U.S., it is particularly common in California, Florida, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. In Germany, it's most common in the regions of Nordrhein-Westfalen, Bayern, and Baden-Württemberg. The surname also holds notable frequency in Austria.

Variations of the surname Hermann

The surname Hermann, of German origin, has seen variation in its spelling and pronunciation due to its historic and regional usage. Some of the most common variations, spelling changes and related surnames include: Herman, Hermansen, Herrmann, Hermans, Hermanni, Hermon, Hermand, Hermandez, Herrman, Harmen, and Harman.

Herrmann is a common variant observed especially in German-speaking countries. The 'Herman' variant is often seen in English-speaking countries due to Anglicization. 'Hermansen' indicates a Scandinavian influence, translating to "son of Hermann". Similarly, 'Hermans' is observed in Dutch and Belgian regions.

The surname 'Hermon' is thought to be a phonetic variation of Hermann, particularly popular in Wales. 'Hermand' and 'Hermandez' are spellings that could represent a Spanish or Latin American influence, with 'Hermandez' suggesting the relationship "son of Hermann".

'Harmen' and 'Harman' represent variations that likely arose from regional pronunciation and transliteration from the German.

Overall, the surname Hermann has seen a broad distribution and transformation influenced by the geography and language of its bearers.

Famous people with the name Hermann

• Edward Hermann- An American actor known for the show "Gilmore Girls".
• Peter Hermann- A German-American actor starring in shows like "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit".
• Bernard Hermann- An American music composer known for working on Alfred Hitchcock films.
• Julie Hermann- Former Athletic Director of Rutgers University.
• Jake Hermann- Famous American marine biologist.
• Werner Andreas Hermann- A Swiss novelist and poet.
• George Hermann- The American businessman and philanthropist who founded Hermann Park in Houston.
• Hans Hermann- A former Formula One racing driver from Germany.
• Ludwig von Hermann- A German physicist known for his work on thermodynamics.
• Herm Hermann- An American cartoonist and author best known for his comic strip, "Herman".
• Johann Gottfried Hermann- A German classical philologist and critic.
• Hermann Hermann- The protagonist in Vladimir Nabokov's novel, "Despair".
• Michelle Hermann- The American actress known for "The Vineyard".
• Johann Hermann- A French naturalist and physician.
• Tom Hermann- The American football coach. Please note that not all of these are universally known and their fame may vary by region.

Other surnames

HermalinHermanHermaneckHermanekHermaniHermaniesHermanisHermannekHermanniHermannsHermannsenHermannyHermansHermansenHermanskyHermanusHermanussenHermany