Surname Hirmann - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'H'
Hirmann: What does the surname Hirmann mean?
The last name Hirmann is a German toponymic surname derived from the city of Hermannstadt in Romania. This city was named after Hermann, a Germanic figure historically associated with Germany’s expansion into Transylvania in the 9th century. Hirmann is closely related to the English-language surname Hermann and the Dutch-language surname Herman.
The origin of the name history can be traced back to the Middle Ages. It is believed that the phrase “Hirmann” came from the German word “Herr”, meaning ‘warrior’ or ‘lord’, coupled with the word “mann”, meaning ‘man’. The name was likely taken from one of the settlers from Hermannstadt, representing their noble status and their militarised roots.
Throughout Germany, the surname is common and can be found in records such as birth and marriage. It’s likely, however, that the number of individuals bearing the name has reduced since the last name was first used.
The last name Hirmann is commonly associated with German traits, such as hard-working, resourceful and tenacious, which are linked to the city’s marching past and influential status in times past. In today’s world, individuals with this surname are found all over the world and are praised for their strong values and determined outlook.
Order DNA origin analysisHirmann: Where does the name Hirmann come from?
The last name Hirmann is most commonly found in Germany today. This surname is popular in both the Northern and Southern regions of the country. It is also found in Austria, Switzerland and other countries in Central Europe. As of 2020, the Hirmann name is still most frequently found in Germany, where the name was first established in the Middle Ages.
The use of the name ‘Hirmann’ derives from an old and respected Germanic tradition of combining a personal name with a popular reference to a characteristic trait or quality. When taken literally, the surname ‘Hirmann’ translates to ‘army man’, as ‘Hir’ is an old Germanic name meaning ‘army’ or ‘host’ and the suffix ‘mann’ means ‘man’.
The Hirmanns who live in Germany today trace their roots to many different locations of origin within Europe, including the Netherlands, France, and Italy. The family likely made its way through Germany’s regions over centuries, with members belonging to the wealthier classes of society and responsible for administering local estates.
As you travel around Germany today, you will likely encounter many people with the name ‘Hirmann’. With such a highly populated base, it is unlikely that the name will become extinct in Germany any time soon.
Variations of the surname Hirmann
The surname Hirmann is believed to have derived from the Germanic words Hirn (“brain”) and Mann (“man”), indicating that it most likely began as an occupational name.
Common variants of the Hirmann surname include Heerman, Heermon, Heermann, Hermon, Herman, Herrmann, Harmann, Hermans, and Herrman. Some of the rarer variants of the name include Hirman, Hereman, Hearman, Heirmen, Heermen, Hyrman and Herme.
Spelling variations of the name are derived from regional dialects and vary from country to country. For instance, Heerma is a Dutch variant, Harman is found mainly in Ireland, Harmann is an English variant and Hermans is a Dutch variant.
Common surnames of the same origin as Hirmann include Heerma, Harman, Herrman, Herman, Hermans, and Heermon. Other surnames with similar spellings are Hearman, Harlam, Heerman, Heerma and Hermon.
In recent decades, many people have changed their name for various reasons so variations in spelling are more common. Also, some variants have been adopted as a result of emigration from other countries.
Famous people with the name Hirmann
- Andreas Hirmann: A German sculptor, he is known for his public sculptures in cities like Munich, Frankfurt, Stuttgart, and Melbourne.
- Joseph Hirmann: An Austrian doctor, he came to prominence in the early 20th century when he published important studies in the field of X-rays.
- Josef Alois Hirmann Jr.: A German politician, he served as mayor of Munich from 1956 to 1961.
- Armin Hirmann: A Swiss football player, he competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics and represented Switzerland in the 1952 World Cup.
- Martin Hirmann: An Austrian actor, he appeared in over 40 films and television series between 1949 and 1986.
- Guido Hirmann: An Austrian film editor, he worked on La Reine Margot (1994), The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010), and Argo (2012). 7.289 Beate Hirmann: A German doctor, she came to prominence when she founded the Heimvolkshochschule Schopfloch, an environmental education center in Germany.
- Don Hirmann: An American game designer, he is best known for his work on the board game Avalon Hill's Diplomacy (1959).
- Leon Hirmann: An Austrian historian, he was a professor at the University of Vienna and the president of the Austrian Historical Society from 1932 to 1938.
- Boris A. Hirmann: A French physicist, he is a professor at the University of Strasbourg and a specialist in quantum optics and laser physics.