Surname Sherman - Meaning and Origin
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Sherman: What does the surname Sherman mean?
Sherman is a surname of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English term "shearman," which refers to someone who shears sheep, indicating that the first people to bear this name likely held this occupation. Essentially, shearers were important figures in medieval England due to the significance of wool in the country's economy. Over time, the pronunciation and spelling evolved into the modern form, Sherman. Today, the name is common in both England and the United States, famously borne by individuals such as American Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman and British actor Sir Roger Sherman. It underlines a legacy of manual labor, English heritage, and historical significance.
Order DNA origin analysisSherman: Where does the name Sherman come from?
The last name Sherman is most commonly found in the United States. It is also found in small numbers in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. In the United States, Sherman is most common in the Midwest with the highest concentrations found in Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota. It is also found in small numbers in states such as California, Texas, and New York.
The name originated as a clan surname from the Germanic elements “scir” and “man” which means “bright and famous”. It is anglicized from a variety of spellings such as “Schurman”, “Schirman”, “Schurmann”, “Shurman”, and “Sherman.” The first recorded instance of the surname in the United States was in 1622 in Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts.
Today, the last name Sherman is quite popular in the United States. According to the United States census in 2019, it was the 226th most common surname. At that time, the estimated population of Americans who bore the surname was over 290,000.
Overall, the last name Sherman is most commonly found in the United States and is gaining in popularity in other countries. It is derived from a Germanic clan name which means “bright and famous.” Additionally, it was first recorded in the United States in the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts in 1622, and is now the 226th most common surname in the US, with the population of Sherman-bearing Americans estimated at over 290,000.
Variations of the surname Sherman
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Sherman include:
Shermane, Shearman, Shearmann, Shermann, Shurman, Shurmann, Schirmans, Schurman, Schurmann, Sharmany, Sharmane, Sharmann, Schirmanye, and Schirmanne.
Sherman is derived from the Old English elements scir meaning ‘bright’ and mann meaning ‘man’. The origin of this surname can be traced back to England where it was first found in the 10th century and was likely a name associated with a man of great brightness or intelligence. It is also related to the German name Schurmann, which is derived from the Middle High German name Schurman meaning ‘man of honor’.
The surname has been spelled in many different ways as English spelling was not standardized in earlier times. It has also been optimized and changed by immigrants as needed in their new homes. It has been adopted by many different ethnicities, from Jewish people to Dutch immigrants.
Overall, there are numerous names derived from the original surname Sherman, each with its own variation and spelling. While all these names can trace their origin back to the same source, the reasoning behind the spelling differences is largely due to the evolution of language and the ever-changing influence of different cultures.
Famous people with the name Sherman
- Roger Sherman: Signer of the United States Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. He was also Governor of Connecticut.
- Matthew Sherman: An Iowa politician who served as the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture from 1995 to 1999.
- Sidney Sherman: A general in the Texas Army during the Texas Revolution. He is remembered for his inspirational cry of “Remember The Alamo!”
- Cindy Sherman: A visual artist, photographer, and filmmaker known for her photography-based art works. She explores female identity and challenging society’s stereotypes.
- Stuart Sherman: A theatre critic and professor at Columbia University during the first part of the 20th century. He was a major advocate of modernist theatre.
- Thomas W. Sherman: A Union Army Civil War general who was awarded the Medal of Honor.
- William Tecumseh Sherman: A Union Army general during the Civil War. He was controversial due to his military tactics, but is known for his successes in the Western Theater.
- Stan Shermans: Actor and author, best known for being the creator and host of the Canadian children’s TV series, “Sherman’s Lagoon”.
- Al “Red” Sherman: An American songwriter and music publisher who wrote hit songs for artists such as Fats Domino, Elvis Presley, and others.
- Colin Sherman: An American-born British actor best known for his role in the BBC sitcom “The Brittas Empire”.