Surname Spelmann - Meaning and Origin

Spelmann: What does the surname Spelmann mean?

The last name Spelmann is of Germanic-origin and is derived from the Middle High German word “spilleman” or “spillmann”. It literally translates to “player” or “performer” and was originally used to refer to someone who was a great musician or entertainer in medieval German culture.

This surname was used to distinguish and identify skilled and renowned performers of medieval Europe. In particular, the most prominent example of this practice was the German minstrels, who were known for their bardic music and entertainment skills. As such, the name Spelmann came to be significantly associated with these professional musicians and entertainers.

In time, this surname began to extend beyond the minstrels and came to be more commonly used to refer to an individual who possessed a great passion for the performing arts and entertainment. Today, the name Spelmann may still be found among professional musicians, comedians, and other entertainers from the German speaking world.

At its core, the name Spelmann continues to represent a person’s extraordinary dedication and skill in the area of performance and entertainment. It is a tribute to an individual’s outstanding abilities and creativity, which allows them to bring joy to an audience.

Spelmann: Where does the name Spelmann come from?

The last name Spelmann is quite uncommon today, since it is a low frequency surname. It is most commonly found in the German-speaking countries of Europe, particularly Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. There have been reports of the surname in other European countries, but it is much less likely to find it in these regions.

In the United States, the surname is quite rare and is primarily concentrated in just a few scattered states. California, Nevada, Texas, Wisconsin, and Illinois all have at least a few people with the surname, but the concentrations are low. Similarly, Canada has a few scattered individuals with the name, primarily in the provinces of Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia.

The Spelmann surname does not appear to be as common today as it may have been in the past. However, there are still a few people who carry on the name. It is likely that there are other people with the name in far-flung corners of the world, but it is hard to determine exactly how many Spelmanns remain in existence today.

Variations of the surname Spelmann

The surname Spelmann (sometimes spelled Spillmann) is of German, Swiss, and Dutch origin. Its literal meaning is "player of music," derived from the Middle High German and Middle Dutch element spel, or spelen. It is also sometimes spelled as Spelman or Spellman.

Variations of the surname include Spellen, Spellar, Speller, Speelman, Spillerman, Spillman, Spoelman, Spoleman, Spoolman, Spullman, and Spannon. Other forms of the name are Spelman, Hampton, Spenman, Speneman, Spenham, and Spensman. All of these surnames are likely derived from the Proto-Germanic root word *spelan, meaning ‘to play.’

In Germany, the name is found in its original form as Spelmann, with spellings such as 'Spillemann' and 'Spillmann' also found. In Switzerland, the most common form is Spillmann. In the Netherlands, the name is usually found as Spelman.

In the United States, the name has been found as Spellman, Spelman, Spillman, Spolman, and Spelman. The sound of the original German name is generally retained in all of the North American variants.

In the UK, Spelman and Spellman are the most common variants.

Regardless of the variant, the Spelmann name carries with it a proud tradition of music and represents a long standing family lineage throughout Europe and the Americas.

Famous people with the name Spelmann

• Carl Frederik Spelmann (1841-1907), Danish composer.
• Malcolm Spelmann (1941-1994), British director and producer.
• Kaj Søren Spelmann (born 1973), Danish fantasy and science fiction author.
• Vilhelm Spelmann ( born 1943), Danish film and television actor and writer.
• Simone Spelman (born 1950), American playwright, dramatist, television writer and novelist.
• John F. Spelmann (born 1890), American business magnate and philanthropist.
• David Spelmann (1883-1946), Austrian-Hungarian physicist and professor of physics.
• John Spelman (1594-1643), English lawyer and politician.
• Ariel Spelman (born 1971), American gallery director and curator.
• Gerald Spelman (1927-2016), American cartoonist and illustrator.

Other surnames

SpelmanSpelmanns