Surname Tilman - Meaning and Origin
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Tilman: What does the surname Tilman mean?
The last name Tilman is a patronymic surname derived from the given name "Tillman". This name originated as a German name and is most commonly associated with Germany. It original spelling, Tilmann, suggests that it has roots in the Old Germanic language, with “Till” coming from the name “Dietlof” and “mann” meaning “man”. The name was first used by a family of nobility that established themselves in the Middle Ages Germanic territories, and then saw a steady growth in popularity across the world due to immigration and expansion.
The meaning of the name Tilman is thought to mean “people”, or “nation”, as suggested by its roots in the German language. This symbolises strength in community, resourcefulness, and an unwavering drive towards success. It could also be interpreted to mean “brave”, which is appropriate for a noble family. As the family tree has spread around the world and into different cultures, the last name Tilman has been shortened to various regional spellings such as Tilmann, Tilmon, Tilmonn, or Tilmun.
No matter the spelling, the last name Tilman is a testament to the resilience and strength of a family that has endured through the test of time. With its long history, it also serves as an indication of the values that the family attaches to its heritage and its belief in a strong communal bond.
Order DNA origin analysisTilman: Where does the name Tilman come from?
The surname Tilman is most commonly found in Central Europe and Scandinavia. It is believed to be of Germanic origin and is derived from the popular first name Diethelm. It appears to have originated in Westphalia, an area in northern Germany, and moved with families to other parts of the region.
In the Netherlands, the Tilman name is found in the province of Limburg. It is also popular around the city of Dortmund and in other parts of Lower Saxony, Germany. Although not as prevalent in Germany today compared to a century ago, the Tilman name is still found in some rural areas of the Ruhr region. It is also found in some parts of Austria and Switzerland.
Outside of Europe, the Tilman name is found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Many of these countries are home to several generations of descendants of German immigrants which indicates that the Tilman surname was likely brought over to these countries at some point.
Overall, the Tilman name is still mainly associated with central and northern Europe, but has spread to other parts of the world due to migration.
Variations of the surname Tilman
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Tilman include Tilmann, Tielman, Tilmen, Tillman, Tilmon, Delman, Dilman, Tolman, Tullman, Tolmann and Tullmann.
The surname Tilman has Germanic origins and is derived from the personal name Tilman (or a variant thereof) which is thought to mean strong man. The earliest known recorded spelling of the surname Tielman (or Tilman) dates back to 1353 in the Middle Ages, when Johannes Tilman was mentioned in German records of the 13th Century.
Tillmann is another form of Tilman, which is derived from the first name Theudelinde. This Old Germanic name was made up from two elements: "theudo" meaning "people", and "linde" meaning "tender". It has been suggested that the name is derived from the Latin word "tillus" or "tillius", meaning “a worker of the soil” or “fertile”.
Delman is a Scandinavian variant of Tilman. The name is derived from the Old Norse "Dilmr", which is thought to mean “judgement helmet”. Dilman is another variant of Delman, and may also refer to a person born of or living in the city of Dilmus, near the Euphrates River in Armenia.
Tolman is a Scandinavian variant of Tilman. Tolmon is yet another variant of Tolman, and was a common surname throughout Scandinavia in the Middle Ages.
Tullmann is an unusual variant of Tilman. The name is derived from the Middle High German "tulme" or "tull" meaning “colorful” or “rainbow”.
Thus, Tilman is an ancient Germanic name that has various spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin.
Famous people with the name Tilman
- Rebekah Tilman: American actress most known for her roles on The Young and the Restless, Drake & Josh, and various Hallmark movies.
- David Tilman: American ecologist, environmental scientist, and MacArthur Fellow.
- Joe Tilman: American gospel singer and founding member of the band The Soul Seekers.
- Raye Dawn Tilman: American actress most known for her role on the show Little House on the Prairie.
- Steven Tilman: American actor who has appeared in films such as Roswell and TV series such as Castle.
- Douglas Tilman: South African rugby player and former president of the South African Rugby Union.
- Harry Tilman: British army officer and World War II veteran.
- Hans Jürgen Tilman: German aviator and World War II pilot.
- Kristin Tilman: American college basketball player for the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay Phoenix women's basketball team.
- Karen Tilman: British journalist and television producer.