Surname Oldmann - Meaning and Origin

Oldmann: What does the surname Oldmann mean?

The last name Oldmann is an anglicized form of the Middle High German surname Uldman or Uldmann which literally means “old man”. The most common origin of the surname is a patronymic from the Germanic personal name Uodalric, which is composed of the elements uodal meaning “prosperity” and ric meaning “power”.

The patronymic surname is believed to have originated as a nickname for an older man or an ancestor who was venerated by his descendants for being especially wise or having an authoritative presence. The Germanic word Uodalric is derived from the elements uodal meaning “prosperity” and ric meaning “power”, which conveys the idea of a powerful, fortunate people.

Today, Oldmann is a fairly common surname throughout Europe and the United States, especially in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Several notable Oldmanns have emerged throughout history, from film director Tamás Uldman to Renaissance philosopher Johann Uldman.

The Oldmann surname offers a unique insight into our collective past, revealing not only a personal name derived from ancient Germanic roots but also a glimpse into the values that accompanied early settlement of Germany. Those bearing the Oldmann surname can take pride in knowing their family name is directly linked to our collective cultural heritage.

Oldmann: Where does the name Oldmann come from?

The last name Oldmann is most commonly found in northern Germany and parts of the Netherlands, particularly the German state of Lower Saxony and the Dutch provinces of Overijssel, Drenthe and Groningen. It's also fairly widespread in Austria, with the greatest concentrations found in the German-speaking provinces Burgenland and Vienna. The Oldmann surname is also found in some isolated pockets in the former East Germany, Sweden, Norway and Denmark.

In the United States, the surname is concentrated in parts of the Midwest such as Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin, as well as major cities such as Chicago and Minneapolis. The name is also found in some parts of the south and west coast, with California, Florida, Maryland and Texas being some of the states with the highest concentration of the Oldmann name.

Canada is another country where the name Oldmann has a significant presence, particularly Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario.

Tracing the origin of the name Oldmann is difficult, with some experts believing it to be of Germanic origins, derived from the words alemann or olde manne. Others suggest it is of Dutch origin, deriving from an occupational name indicating a farmer, from the middle Dutch terms "oltman" or "aldman". What is certain is that the name is centuries old and has spread around the world with those from Germanic and Dutch backgrounds.

Variations of the surname Oldmann

The variants, spellings and surnames of Oldmann are Oldman, Oldmane, Oldmanne, Oldmann, Oldermann, Oltman, Oltmane, Oltmanne, Oltmann, Oudman, Oudmane, Oudmann.

Oldman: The English occupational surname is derived from the Middle English term "aulde", meaning old, and the Old English "mann", meaning man. It was commonly used to refer to a person of advanced age or who was a prominent elder in the community.

Oldmane: This variant is a Middle English spelling also derived from the terms "aulde" and "mann".

Oldmanne: This surname variant is also of Middle English origin and is derived from the same terms as Oldman.

Oldmann: This German variant of the surname is derived from the Middle High German "oltman", which also translates to "old man".

Oldermann: This German variant is derived from the Middle High German "oldermant", which translates to "elder man".

Oltman: This German surname variant of Oldmann is derived from the Middle High German "oltman".

Oltmane: This variant is also from the Middle High German "oltman".

Oltmanne: This surname variant is derived from the same source as Oltman and Oltmane.

Oltmann: This German variant is derived from the Middle High German "oltmann".

Oudman: This surname variant is derived from the Dutch "oudman", which translates to "old man".

Oudmane: This variant is derived from the same Dutch term as Oudman.

Oudmann: This variant of the surname is also from the Dutch term "oudman".

Famous people with the name Oldmann

• Gary Oldman: English actor and filmmaker. He began his career in theatre before entering the film industry in the 1980s. His breakthrough role was as Lee Harvey Oswald in JFK (1991). In 2018, he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour.
• Lena Olin: Swedish actress who has been acting since the 1980s. She is known for films such as The Unbearable Lightness of Being (1988), Chocolat (2000), and Romeo Is Bleeding (1994).
• Robert Oldman: American actor who appeared in films like The Abyss (1989) and Action Jackson (1988).
• Alan Oldman: British actor who is known for his roles in The 13th Warrior (1999), The Mummy (1999), and The Open Road (2009).
• Martin Oldman: American actor and producer who appeared in shows such as The West Wing (1999-2000) and House (2004-2012).
• Julian Oldman: Canadian actor best known for his roles in A Christmas Story (1983) and Grease (1978).
• David Oldman: Australian actor who appeared in films such as The Half Life of Timofey Berezin (2006) and The Ardor of Love (2001).
• Christopher Oldman: British actor who was best known for his role in the horror movie The Plague (1986).
• John Oldman: American actor who starred in films such as The Omega Code (1999) and Racing with the Moon (1984).

Other surnames

OldmanOldmanns