Surname Woerdman - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Woerdman: What does the surname Woerdman mean?
The last name Woerdman is a Dutch surname derived from the Old Dutch word "werd" meaning, “guard” or "watchman". It is believed to be of occupational origin as it was initially used to denote someone who was employed as a warden or guard at a local structure or facility, such as a harbor, fort, or gate. This type of job was also seen in various monasteries throughout the Netherlands during the Middle Ages.
The surname Woerdman is not commonly seen in other countries, though it is possible to find individuals with the name outside of the Netherlands. Those with the surname can also be found in various areas in central Europe, as it may have been adopted by Dutch settlers who moved to other countries.
Woerdman is a relatively rare surname, but some well-known people who bear the name include Dutch artist Jan Woerdman, and Dutch lecturer Hans Woerdman. Dutch water polo-player Joep Woerdman also adorns the name.
Overall, Woerdman is an interesting surname that has been around for centuries, originating from the medieval occupation of guard or watchman. It is now a unique and interesting signifier of one’s roots and heritage that may have been passed down through generations across Europe.
Order DNA origin analysisWoerdman: Where does the name Woerdman come from?
The last name Woerdman is most commonly found in the Netherlands. It is believed to be Dutch in origin with a patronymic background, derived from the name of a father (“Woert”), and the suffix “man”, indicating the masculine form of the name. Variations of the name include Woerdmuller, Woerdmolen and Woerdman.
Numerous records place the origin of the name in the Dutch town of Woerden, located in the Utrecht region. Utrecht has the highest recorded density of people with the surname Woerdman, with other concentrations in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. Other areas where the name is found include Zeeland, Friesland, North Holland, Overijssel and Gelderland.
An estimated 6,000 people with the name Woerdman are registered in the Netherlands today. The main concentrations are in the cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague. Other places in the country where the name can be found are Utrecht, Groningen, Sittard-Geleen, Maastricht, Best, Breda, Tilburg, Arnhem, Alkmaar, Apeldoorn, Zwolle, Nijmegen, Hilversum and Venlo.
Outside of the Netherlands, other countries where the name is less commonly found include the United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Germany. Examples of the Woerdman name can be found in both the Dutch cultural and emigrant diaspora.
Variations of the surname Woerdman
The surname Woerdman is derived from the Dutch word “Woerd”, which is an archaic Old German term meaning “warrior”. As with many Dutch surnames, a variety of spellings have developed over time. Common alternative spellings for Woerdman include Wurdmann, Werdmenn, Worrdman, Wordman, and Woordman.
Variants of Woerdman include Wardman, Wordan, Wurden, Wurdenman, Wardemann, Werdemann, Wierdeman, or Wierdemon. All of these variants share similar origins with the Woerdman surname, deriving from the Dutch word “Woerd”.
Some surnames of similar origin include Van Woert, Vowen, Vorderman, Vermeerman, and Vordermand. Though these names bear a shared origin with Woerdman, they are not considered to be true variants or spellings, as their meaning has evolved over time.
Though the exact origin of the Woerdman surname remains a mystery, many scholars believe it to be a clan of warriors or a kind of family honor that was passed down through the generations. Whatever its origin, the Woerdman surname has a rich and storied history that is sure to captivate future generations of researcher’s and scholars alike.
Famous people with the name Woerdman
- Erik Woerdman: Erik Woerdman is a Dutch footballer who plays for The Dukes. He has earned eight caps as a member of the Dutch national team.
- Maurits Woerdman: Maurits Woerdman is a Dutch politician who served as a member of the Dutch House of Representatives from 2010 to 2017.
- Just Woerdman: Just Woerdman is a Dutch racing cyclist and Olympic athlete. He competed in the men's individual road race at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome and the men's individual pursuit at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
- Jacob Woerdman: Jacob Woerdman was a Dutch linguist, lexicographer and educationalist. He was professor of the Dutch language at the University of Leiden from 1902 to 1934.
- Willem Woerdman: Willem Woerdman is a Dutch professor of theoretical physics at the University of Groningen and the author of numerous books on quantum information theory in the areas of foundations, communication and computing.
- Johannes Woerdman: Johannes (Jan) Woerdman was a Dutch painter of the 19th and 20th centuries who specialized in landscapes but also painted floral still lifes and figurative works.
- Fred Woerdman: Fred Woerdman is a former Dutch professional ice hockey player. He played more than 200 matches in the Dutch Eredivisie between 1966 and 1977.
- Ernst Woerdman: Ernst Woerdman is a Dutch-American former biochemist and professor of biology at the University of Amsterdam and the Catholic University of Nijmegen, now Radboud University.
- Richard Woerdman: Richard Woerdman is a Dutch business executive who served as president and CEO of the global insurance company ING Group from 2001 to 2003.
- Nico Woerdman: Nico Woerdman is a Dutch professional football player and manager. He was most recently the assistant coach of VVV-Venlo.