Surname Surman - Meaning and Origin
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Surman: What does the surname Surman mean?
The surname Surman is of English origin and is most prevalent in England. It is a topographic name derived from the Middle English term 'sireman', which means 'servant'. The term was often used for a civil official such as a beadle or a bailiff. It might have also been used as an occupational name for someone who served a lord or nobleman, possibly a steward or a high-ranking servant.
This last name also exists in various forms such as Surmen, Surmon, and Sermon. The interpretation might vary according to region and dialectic changes over time. Like many English surnames, Surman was also likely used for either naming or identifying individuals, often in relation to their occupation or topographical association.
Surman can be traced back to early medieval England, with further research revealing individuals bearing this surname involved in various professions and levels of society. Notable people with this surname include British jazz musicians John Douglas Surman and John Warren Surman. Please note, surnames' meanings can have multiple interpretations and may not fully reveal the historical and cultural complexities surrounding their origins.
Order DNA origin analysisSurman: Where does the name Surman come from?
The last name Surman is not common in many places today, but there are a few concentrations of it around the world. In the United Kingdom, Surman is mainly concentrated in the West Midlands, which includes the towns of Derby and Stoke-on-Trent. On the East Coast of the United States, Surman is most commonly found in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In Canada, Surman is found across the majority of the country, with the highest concentrations being in Alberta and southwestern Ontario.
Although Surman is not a particularly common name, you can also find clusters in Israel, Australia, India, and Trinidad and Tobago. In the United States specifically, the Surman name began to spread with the arrival of immigrants from Europe and elsewhere from the 1800s onward. Today, the number of Surman families in the U.S. is relatively low, but their concentration is still relatively high in certain states, such as New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
In terms of the origin of the Surman surname, it is mostly derived from the Germanic words "sur" and "man," which mean “stubborn” and “man” respectively. So, people bearing this surname might have been known for their strong-willed or stubborn personalities. In the past, many Surman families were small farmers, merchants, or craftsman.
Variations of the surname Surman
Surman is a surname derived from the French phrase "surnom" which literally translates to last name. This surname has many different variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The most common variant of Surman is Surnam. Surnam is a variation of the name that arose from the French phrase "surnom." Other variants of the surname include Surnham, Surnem, and Surnome.
The surname Surman also has many spelling variations. Some of the most common spelling variations are Surmann, Surmon, Surmans, Surnham, Surnhamm, Surnam, Surname, Surnom, and Surnomme.
The surname Surman also has many surnames of the same origin. Some of the surnames of the same origin as Surman include Surmant, Surnamey, Surnell, Surner, Surney, and Surnor.
All of the above variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin have the same meaning - last name or surname. Although Surman is a relatively uncommon surname, it has many different forms and is found around the world.
Famous people with the name Surman
- John Surman: jazz saxophonist and composer
- Simon Surman: international Olympic sailor
- David Surman: former CEO of GateHouse Media
- Will Surman: English footballer
- Tim Surman: CEO of Insights Health
- Jolyon Surman: Double Bassist and bandleader
- Ann Surman: Australian artist
- Andy Surman: English footballer
- Eric Surman: Australian artist and landscape painter
- Piers Surman: British astronomer