Surname Herrmann - Meaning and Origin

Shedding New Light on Ancestral Roots: An Unexpected Discovery via iGENEA DNA Test

A journey back to roots led through an iGENEA DNA test, reshaped the Herrmann family tree to be more diverse than thought, revealing unexpected trivia that stirred conversations of cultural identities and bio-geographic influences. It altered how I understood my lineage and own self.

K. Herrmann

Herrmann: What does the surname Herrmann mean?

Herrmann is a German surname, and it's derived from a combination of two Old High German elements: "heri" or "hari," which means "army," and "man," which means "man." Thus, the full meaning suggests a figure such as a "warrior" or "army man." It is interesting to note that Herrmann is also associated with the name Herman, which is used in non-Germanic countries. The surname may have been initially given to soldiers or leaders in medieval battles. Over time, as surnames began to be passed down to successive generations, the surname ceased to be an indicator of occupation but rather served as an identifier of familial lineage. Today, people from various walks of life carry the surname Herrmann without having any direct ties to military service.

Herrmann: Where does the name Herrmann come from?

The last name Herrmann is of German origin. It is derived from the personal name Hermann, composed of the elements "heri," meaning army, and "man," meaning man. Hermann was a popular name in the Middle Ages due to Arminius, a Germanic war leader who defeated a Roman army in 9 AD.

Today, the surname Herrmann is common in Germany and in areas with substantial German immigrant populations such as the United States, specifically in the states of Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio. Outside of these regions, the name can also be found in the areas of Europe with German influence or a shared Germanic history.

Variations of the surname Herrmann

Herrmann is a German surname that originally derived from "Herr", a German term for "mister", combined with "mann", meaning "man". Therefore, it translates to "Mr. Man" or "Master Man". This surname has various spellings, variants, and similar surnames of the same origin.

Common spellings and variations include Hermann, Herrman, and Herman. These variations might come from different regional pronunciations or simply misspellings over time.

Anglicized versions can be seen as Harman, Herman or Sherman. Non-German variations from other parts of Europe include the Dutch Hereman, French Armand, Spanish Hermano, Italian Ermanno, and Polish Herman.

There are also surnames that might seem related due to phonetic similarities or shared elements, even if they do not have the same meaning or origin, such as Heermann, Herrmanns, Herrmannsen, or Hermanovich.

Please note that variations in a surname can occur even within the same country and that each variant might have its own distinct meaning. Therefore, a variant might not always share the exact same origin as the original surname.

Famous people with the name Herrmann

• Edward Herrmann: An American actor, director, writer, and comedian.
• Bernard Herrmann: An American composer best known for his work in the film industry.
• Jake Herrmann: An American visual effects artist who has worked on multiple high-profile films like the "Avengers" series.
• Jeremiah Herrmann: An American production designer celebrated for his creative craftsmanship.
• Paul Herrmann: A German history and travel writer noted for his work during the 19th and 20th centuries.
• Max Herrmann: A German theatre scholar, foundational in developing the science of theater studies in Germany.
• Charles Herrmann:: A 19th-century magician, famous for his Herrmann's Royal Illusionists performances.
• Tom Herrmann: A well-recognized American football coach.
• Alexander Herrmann: A French magician, a sibling of Charles Herrmann, popularly also known as Herrmann the Great.
• William Herrmann: An Australian footballer who played for Melbourne City FC.
• Sam Herrmann: A Canadian-American professional ice hockey player.
• Hans Herrmann: A retired Formula One and sports car racing driver from Germany.
• Steven Herrmann: An American psychologist and Jungian psychotherapist, known for his writings on spirituality.

Other surnames

HerrmanHerrmanekHerrmannekHerrmannsHerrmannsenHerrmannyHerrmany