Surname Woortmann - Meaning and Origin

Woortmann: What does the surname Woortmann mean?

The last name Woortmann is of Dutch or German origin. It is derived from the Dutch or German word woort, meaning 'wood' or 'timber'. The name is most likely an occupational name, referring to a woodworker, be it a carpenter, a woodcutter, a cooper, or a woodseller. It could also refer to someone who lived in or by a wooded area.

The Woortmann family likely began in the Netherlands, though many families with the same surname can be found in Germany as well. Nowadays, the Woortmann name can be found in America, Canada, and other parts of the world. It is likely that the original bearer would have been a skilled craftsman who worked with wood or timbers.

The coats of arms associated with the Woortmann name often feature a tree or two, trees being the symbolic representation of the original origin of the name. Woortmanns today continue to follow in the footsteps of their ancestors in working with and crafting wood. The Woortman name is a reminder of the contribution and dedication of the family to the art of woodworking.

Woortmann: Where does the name Woortmann come from?

The last name Woortmann is primarily concentrated in Germany and the Netherlands. In Germany, the last name can be found all over the country, but it is particularly common in the western and northern parts of the country. In the Netherlands, Woortmann is especially common in the province of Limburg, which is in the southeastern part of the country.

According to data from the United States Census Bureau’s American Community Survey of 2017, the surname Woortmann is not very common in the United States; there were only 28 people with that surname living in the country that year. There is some evidence to suggest that more people with the last name have moved to the US in recent years, but the numbers still remain relatively small compared to other surnames of Germanic origin.

The Woortmann name can be traced back to the Germanic languages, with its earliest documented spelling being Wortman in the ancient Germanic language. It is a combination of the two words “wort” and “mann” which combine to mean “guardian of the words” or “protector of the craft”. Some variants of the surname still in use today are Woertman, Wortman and Wurzmann.

Today, the Woortmann name remains primarily concentrated in Germany and the Netherlands. In the United States, the numbers remain much smaller compared to other last names of Germanic origin, but the numbers suggest that more people with the last name are arriving in the country.

Variations of the surname Woortmann

Wortmann is a German surname derived from a term meaning ‘man of the word’. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for this name include the following:

Wortman, Wortmann, Woortman, Woortmann, Wortmanns, Wortmans, Woortmanns, Woortmans, Wyrtman, Wyrtmann, Wyortman, Wyortmann, Wyrtmanns, Wyrtmans, Wyortmanns, Wyortmans, Wirtman, Wirtmann, Wierrtman, Wierrtmann, Wirtmanns, Wirtmans, Wierrtmanns, Wierrtmans.

Wortman and Wyrtman are phonetically similar to Wortmann and could have been derived from two different regions in Germany with different dialects. Further, the variation of Woortmann can be pronouced as "vort," rather than with a “w.” Wirtman is an alternative spelling of this name and was most likely derived from the Low Alemannic term for a supporting servant or squire.

In addition, there are some anglicised versions of the surname, such as Wertman, Wordman, Wordmann and Whortman as well as surnames derived from Wortmann, including Wortenbaker, Wortendyke, Wortening and Wortenman.

Nevertheless, all spellings, variants and surnames of this name generally derive from the same meaning, i.e. ‘man of the word’.

Famous people with the name Woortmann

• Marijke Woortmann: Dutch former ice speed skater and actor
• Johan Woortman: Dutch former footballer
• G.J. Woortman: Dutch artist and realist painter
• Bart Woortman: Dutch photographer and independent filmmaker
• Joos Woortman: Dutch indie/folk singer and songwriter
• Ricco Woortman: Dutch artist, designer, and sculptor
• Remco Woortman: Dutch former footballer
• Carl Woortman: Dutch former footballer
• George Woortman: Canadian former NHL hockey player
• Harry Woortman: Dutch fashion Designer and stylist

Other surnames

Woortman