Surname Ellerman - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'E'
Ellerman: What does the surname Ellerman mean?
The surname Ellerman is of German origin, which is derived from the old Germanic personal name "Elherman," where "El" or "Ell" means "noble" or "honorable," and "Herman" or "man" means "warrior." Thus, Ellerman loosely translates to a "noble warrior." It is also possible it could be related to a location, such as someone living by elder trees or elder woods. However, like many surnames, the exact and original meaning can be difficult to determine due to changes and adaptations over centuries, geographical movements, and language changes. Surnames are often tied to occupations, locations, patronymics, or characteristics, so the surname Ellerman's meaning might also vary based on these factors.
Order DNA origin analysisEllerman: Where does the name Ellerman come from?
The last name Ellerman is of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German term "ellern", meaning alder, and "man", meaning man. Hence, the surname originally referred to an individual who lived by alder trees or possibly worked with alder wood. Over time, the name spread with migration and family movement.
Today, the last name Ellerman is most common in the United States. It can also be found to a lesser extent in several European countries, including Germany and the UK. But the highest concentration continues to be in America, particularly within the states of Iowa and Nebraska. It is, however, still a relatively uncommon surname even in these locations.
Variations of the surname Ellerman
The surname Ellerman is of primarily German origin and may have several variants depending on the region, time period, and local language rules. Some variants and spellings include Ellermann, Elerman, Elermann, Ellermon, Ellermond, Ellermaan, and Alerman.
The usage of double consonants such as "ll" or "nn" might be less or more frequent in certain locations. Furthermore, the presence of the "d" also differs, seeming to be more common in certain regions. The suffix "-man" turns into "-maan" in some Dutch-speaking areas.
Adding prefix or suffix can also lead to some more variants. For instance, the surname can be seen as Van Ellerman, Von Ellerman, or Ellerman-Smith in some communities.
However, it's important to note that while all these surnames might share the same root, their usage varies. Variations could also have originated from typographical errors, changes in local language or transliterations, simplifications, or evolutions over time.
In general, these different spellings and surnames of the same origin serve to trace the migration, diversification, and cultural assimilation of families with this surname over time.
Famous people with the name Ellerman
- John Ellerman: He was an English shipping magnate, financier and philanthropist. He was one of the richest men in the world during the early 20th century.
- John Reeves Ellerman: He was a British zoologist known for his works in mammalogy.
- Conrad Michael Ellerman: He was an American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Arkansas in 1942.
- Barrie Bullimore Ellerman: He was a British entomologist known for his work on the classification of beetles.
- Dorothy Leonard Judd: She was an English solicitor and philanthropist, known by her maiden name Dorothy Ellerman. She was the daughter of Sir John Ellerman.
- Jackie Ellerman: She was a professional Canadian female bodybuilder.
- Lisa Ellerman: She is an American attorney and a managing partner at the law firm Gibson Dunn.
- Michael Ellerman: He is a professional cricketer who played for Denmark.