Surname Völkmann - Meaning and Origin
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Völkmann: What does the surname Völkmann mean?
The last name Völkmann is of German origin, and it can be translated to mean “folk man.” This name is believed to have originated as an occupational surname for someone who worked with the people or was a leader of the people. It is possible that the name is derived from the Old Germanic Volk, which translates to “folk" or "people."
The Völkmann surname is an ancient Germanic name that dates back at least to the early medieval period of the 9th century. During this same time, the use of surnames was becoming increasingly popular throughout German-speaking regions. It is believed that the use of such family names came about as a result of increased population growth, the expansion of nations, increased intermarriage between families, and the rise of hereditary occupations.
In Germany, the name is particularly common in the Hamburgh region and the Lower Saxon region, with a higher concentration in the Bavarian towns of Weidhausen, Emmerich, and Meerbusch. It is also found in other German regions throughout the years, including Austria, Poland, and the Czech Republic. In the United States, records of the name date back to the late eighteenth century in Pennsylvania and Maryland, hinting at the arrival of immigrants from German-speaking regions.
The spelling Völkmann is believed to have been chosen as a more sophisticated spelling for the surname, as it reflects the more modern perception of a “folk man.” Whether the surname named the occupation or the occupation named the surname is uncertain, but regardless, "Völkmann" is a name rooted in both the Germanic past and the modern world.
Order DNA origin analysisVölkmann: Where does the name Völkmann come from?
The surname Völkmann is a German-language surname common throughout the German-speaking world, particularly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is derived from the Middle High German word "volkman" meaning "man of the people". Since the mid-20th century, the name has been carried by many people in various countries, primarily in German-speaking countries.
In Germany itself, Völkmann is especially common in North Rhine-Westphalia, where there are concentration clusters of Völkmanns in the heavily populated Rhine region, in particular in Düsseldorf and its surroundings. The surname is well represented in the other major cities of the area, including Cologne and Dortmund as well as in the historic regions of Westphalia and the Rhineland-Palatinate.
Austria is another major stronghold of the Völkmann surname. Here, concentrations of Völkmanns exist across the country, with the highest incidence occurring in the states of Lower Austria and Salzburg. Vienna, the capital, has a large population of Völkmanns, as do the cities of Graz and Linz further south.
The name is also common in Switzerland, with high concentrations in the capital city of Bern, as well as Zurich, Basel, and Lucerne.
In summary, the surname Völkmann is most common in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The highest concentrations of the name occur in the cities of North Rhine-Westphalia, including Düsseldorf, as well as in the Austrian provinces of Lower Austria and Salzburg, and the cities of Bern, Zurich, Basel, and Lucerne in Switzerland.
Variations of the surname Völkmann
The surname Völkmann has a number of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include Volckmann, Fölckmann, Fölkmann, Felckmann, Folkmann, Fölckman, Folkman, Volkman and Volkmann.
The surname Völkmann is German in origin and first appears in records from the 14th century. The name was common in what is now the modern state of Germany, and there are records of the surname in many other German-speaking areas, including Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands. The primary meaning of the surname is “people” or “folk,” which reflects its early use as a nickname, likely for someone who was popular or well-known in their community.
Variant spellings of Völkmann, such as Volckmann, Fölckmann, and Fölkmann, likely developed over time through common errors that occurred when words were spelled phonetically. The “ö” character, for example, is pronounced similarly to the English “oo,” so it’s not surprising that the variants “Volckmann” and “Folkmann” appear in the historical record.
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many people of German origin emigrated to America. Upon arriving in America, many German immigrants changed their surname to avoid discrimination and anti-German sentiment. The surnames Volkman and Volkmann were among those that were commonly Anglicized to Folkman and Folkmann.
Today, there are many variants of the surname Völkmann, including Volckmann, Fölckmann, and Folkmann, that are found around the world. Most of these variants can be traced back to a common Northern German and Central European origin.
Famous people with the name Völkmann
- Jakob Völkmann (1886-1977): German actor, theatre director, and lyricist from Berlin, notably appearing in films such as Comrades of 1918 and Trouble with Girls.
- Vivian Völkmann ( 1919-1996): German actress known for her roles in Wir Wunderkinder and Die Feuerzangenbowle.
- Reinhold Völkmann (born 1952): German actor born in Nellingen, known for his roles in films such as The Basement and Without a Roof.
- Tim Völkmann (born 1977): German actor and comedian, known for his roles in films such as The Physician and Kebab Connection.
- Saskia Völkmann (born 1988): German theater actress, known for her roles on the stage in productions such as The Taming of the Shrew and Divine Comedy.
- Sarah Völkmann (born 1988): German actress and vocalist, known for her roles in musical theater productions such as Peter Pan and Once Upon a Mattress.
- Dominic Völkmann (born 1992): German television and film actor, notably appearing in films such as Bye Bye Germany and A Tear for the Dragon.
- Gregor Völkmann (born 1974): German composer and percussionist from Hamburg, known for composing score for television and films such as The Physician and life's too short.
- Robert Völkmann (1815-1883): German composer from Königsberg, Prussia, best known for his stage works.
- Carla Völkmann (born 1964): German painter, known for her pop-art inspired artwork and works in galleries across Germany.