Surname Woortman - Meaning and Origin

Woortman: What does the surname Woortman mean?

The last name Woortman may have either Dutch or German origins. In Dutch, Woortman may mean ‘man of the water’ or ‘lake man’, derived from the word 'water' and the suffix 'man.' In German, Woortman may mean 'village man' or 'man of the village.' It likely originates from an older form of the word 'wurten', which was used to describe settlements or enclaves. The surname could therefore denote an individual from such a settlement or someone who worked near a body of water.

The Woortman surname is a relatively uncommon one, but it has a history that reaches back many hundreds of years, with the first known instance of a man of this name being Magnus Willems of Holland, who lived in the early 17th century. From there, the surname spread around Europe and beyond, with members of the family settling in Germany, Norway, and the United States.

Today, the Woortman name still exists in many places. In the Netherlands, the name is largely confined to the province of Zeeland, while in the United States it is mostly found in Pennsylvania and elsewhere on the East Coast. People with the Woortman name are likely to share common ancestors, and are also likely to have shared members of Europe’s ‘migrant workforce’, moving abroad in search of work or better opportunities.

Woortman: Where does the name Woortman come from?

The last name Woortman is most commonly found in Europe today, mainly in the Netherlands and surrounding countries. It is a Dutch patronymic surname, which originates from a paternal ancestor's given name. The Woortman surname was likely derived from a root named "Wort," which is an old Germanic name meaning "protect" or "defend".

Woortman is estimated to be the 4,927th most common surname in the Netherlands today, and is most prevalent in Amsterdam. It is also popular in Germany, especially in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. Additionally, it can be found in the United Kingdom and the United States, particularly in Texas and New York.

This surname has grown in popularity since the 16th century as more Dutch immigrants settled in foreign countries. It has slowly made its way into other parts of Europe and beyond, forming new families and allowing them to maintain their identity. Today, the Woortman surname is a great reminder of the diverse history of the Netherlands and its people.

Variations of the surname Woortman

Woortman is an Anglo-Saxon surname of Germanic origin. It is derived from a personal name composed of the elements wort, meaning “word” or “speech”, and man, meaning “person”. The name was originally a title of nobility given to someone who held the position of an orator or spokesman in a local village.

Variants of the surname Woortman include Wortman, Wortmann, Wordeman, Wordman, Wortemon, Wortenman, Woortman, and Wurtenman.

Spellings of the surname Woortman include Woertman, Wortenman, Wourdman, Wortman, Wourman, Wordman, Wordeman, and Woortman.

Surnames of similar origin include Worsman, Whorton, Worthman, Wortham, Wortinger, Wertman, Warrenman, Wardman, Warmack, Warman, and Werfman.

Woortman is a rare surname. In the United States, bearers of this name can be found in states with large German-speaking populations, such as Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The name is also present in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Famous people with the name Woortman

• Gerbrig Woortman: Gerbrig is a Dutch politician and former Member of the House of Representatives in the Province of Friesland.
• Patrick Woortman: Patrick is a Dutch contemporary artist, known for paintings populated by characters from the world of politics, sports, and other fields, set against public sites.
• Annelies Woortman: Annelies is a Dutch firm specializing in Art Law and Cultural Heritage Law.
• Henk Woortman: Henk is a Dutch organizational psychologist and professor of Business Administration at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
• Gaby Woortman: Gaby is a leading Dutch TV personality and host for the popular program Hart in Aktie.
• Henk Woortman: Henk is a Dutch business entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Azure Space Solutions.
• Carrie Woortman: Carrie is an American dancer and choreographer, known for her work in both performing and teaching various forms of dance.
• Knowell Woortman: Knowell is a Dutch professional footballer, currently playing for Sparta Rotterdam in the Eredivisie.
• Femke Woortman: Femke is a Dutch reality TV star, appearing in the popular series Big Brother in 2012.
• Samantha Woortman: Samantha is an American musician and songwriter, known for her unique style of acoustic folk music.

Other surnames

Woortmann