Surname Detterman - Meaning and Origin

Detterman: What does the surname Detterman mean?

The surname Detterman is of German origin but does not have a commonly accepted specific meaning. In general, many German surnames derive from occupations, descriptions of personal characteristics, or geographical locations. The “-man” ending typically refers to a worker or someone who is involved in a particular craft. However, its detailed meaning may depend on historical contexts, family traditions, or regional variations that are often obscured over time. It is also possible that the name underwent spelling alterations, obscuring its original meaning. Without specific historical or genealogical information, it's hard to ascertain the definitive meaning of the name Detterman. As is the case with many surnames, its meaning might have been more apparent in its historical and cultural context when the name was first given.

Detterman: Where does the name Detterman come from?

The surname Detterman is of German origin. It is a variant of the German surname "Determann" which is often associated with Northern Germany, particularly Lower Saxony. The name could possibly be an occupational name for a person who worked as a "tether-man," someone who tethers animals, mainly horses; or it could also be a regional name for someone from places named Deter, in Germany. While several variations exist, including Determan, Detherman, and Dettmermann, among others, "Detterman" is not extremely common today. It is more likely to be found among communities with German descent, for example in America, Canada and other countries where German immigrants have settled. However, it is still not as widespread as other German-origin surnames. As with many surnames, specific current distribution data might not be readily available or accurate due to changes over time and the flow of global migration.

Variations of the surname Detterman

The surname Detterman may have undergone several spelling variations over years due to factors such as translation errors, literacy levels or regional dialect influences. It's also suggested that this surname could have German or Dutch origins.

Alternate spellings and variations of this name may include: Determan, Dettmer, Dettman, Dettermann, Dettmar, Dittman, Dittmar, and Dittmer. One could extrapolate Determann, Deittermann or even Ditersman. These versions preserve the essence of the original surname while indicating slight variations that might have occurred naturally or have been intentionally modified.

It's also possible that in countries where English isn't the primary language, the pronunciation and spelling of the surname Detterman may have been adapted to fit the phonetic rules of the local language.

Surnames similar to Detterman could potentially be derived from the same or closely related origins, particularly if they share a common root word or suffix, such as "man". For example, the surname Dettmering could share a similar lineage with Detterman. As the names are passed down through generations and across borders, the spelling and pronunciation can evolve thus leading to the various versions of Detterman we might encounter today.

Famous people with the name Detterman

• Benjamin Detterman: a popular actor in the German television series "Verbotene Traüme".
• Richard Detterman: a noted American entomologist and researcher.
• Nicholas Detterman: an American baseball player and coach.
• Paul Detterman, Jr.: a civil rights attorney and former president of the National Lawyers' Association.
• Michael Detterman: a scholar and Catholic theologian who teaches at Notre Dame University.
• Bob Detterman: a former professional baseball player and coach.
• Rhonda Detterman: a prominent African-American businesswoman.
• Thomas Detterman: a former president of the American Osteopathic Association.
• John Detterman: a German-American composer, conductor, and music teacher.
• Joseph Detterman: a Professor of Mathematics at The Ohio State University.

Other surnames

Dettermann