Surname Silwerman - Meaning and Origin

Silwerman: What does the surname Silwerman mean?

The surname Silverman is of Ashkenazi Jewish origin, deriving from the Yiddish word "zilberman" which translates to "silver smith." Families were often named after their professional or trade affiliations in previous centuries. Thus, the Silverman surname might be an occupational name given to those associated with the trade of silversmithing or dealing in silver. It's also possible that the name related metaphorically to someone with silver-gray hair or someone with a silver-tongued eloquence. In some cases, the surname might have been acquired as an ornamental name chosen for its pleasant connotation and as an expression of modernity and success, since silver is considered a precious metal. Today, people with the surname Silverman can be found worldwide, but it remains most common in Jewish communities.

Silwerman: Where does the name Silwerman come from?

The last name Silwerman is most commonly found in the United States, specifically in Midwest, Northeast, and South regions. The highest density of individuals with this surname is in Pennsylvania, where Silwerman appears in approximately 1 in every 4,500 people. The state of New York is next, with approximately 1 in every 5,000 people having the surname.

In terms of ancestry, Silwerman is believed to be a Jewish name probably originating from German-speaking countries. Of those who carry the name today, around 43% are descended from families that emigrated from Eastern Europe, mostly from Russia, Poland, and Lithuania.

The research also indicates that Silwerman is a relatively long-standing surname, as it was most prominent in the United States prior to 1900. In fact, records indicate that Silwerman was one of the most common last names in the U.S. at the turn of the century, but as the population increased, its frequency decreased somewhat since then.

Today, the surname is earnings a resurgence in the United States. Residential records from the past decade suggest that Silwerman is slowly regaining its former prominence, albeit more slowly than some other Jewish surnames.

Variations of the surname Silwerman

The surname Silwerman has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Silwermann, Silberman, Silvrman, Silborman, and Silbarma.

Silwerman is an Ashkenazic Jewish surname, primarily found in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Israel. The surname is derived from the Hebrew name Shilman, meaning “peaceful man”. It is likely that the original spelling was Silwerman, and the other spelling variations may have been adopted by descendants of families who migrated to other countries.

In Germany, the surname spelled as Silwerman is only found in three locations: Berlin, Munich, and Rostock. In Central Europe, the surname can often be found as Silberman or Silborman. In the Americas, the typical spelling is Silvrman.

In the United Kingdom, the surname is typically spelled as Silwerman, although Silbarma and Silborman are also present in Jewish communities. In Israel, the spelling variations are more numerous, and include Silwermann, Silvrman, Silbermann, Silberman, Silbormann, Silbormen, Silvorman, and Silvormann.

Overall, the surname Silwerman is not particularly common, and its spelling and variants vary significantly from region to region.

Famous people with the name Silwerman

• Gershon Silberman: painter, musician and poet
• Glen Silberman: professional bassist
• Abba Eban Silberman: Israeli politician
• Gutman Silberman: Anythink Brewery owner
• Cynthia Silberman: journalist
• Dr. Aaron Silberman: American cardiologist
• Yoshi Silberman: film director
• Isaac Silberman: Jewish publicist
• Francine Silberman: actress and ambassador
• Shira Silberman: actress and voice artist

Other surnames

Silwermann