Surname Engelmann - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling the Genetic Tapestry of the Engelmann Surname through iGENEA DNA Test

After completing my iGENEA DNA test, I was eager to discover what the results had revealed about my family history, specifically within the Engelmann surname. Diving into the data, I found rich Germanic roots, ancestral connections to the Celts and the Romans, traces of Jewish non-paternal events, Viking genetic signatures, and a significant Engelmann presence in the Rhineland region during the Middle Ages.

E. Engelmann

Engelmann: What does the surname Engelmann mean?

The last name Engelmann has Germanic roots, with “Engel” being a shortened form of “Angel”, and “mann” meaning “man”. The name is usually derived from the given name Engel, meaning “angel”, and the surname thus literally means “angel man”.

Engelmann is believed to have first been used as a name to describe a person who was considered to be an angel-like messenger of God. This origin is most likely due to the Middle High German word “engele” which was used to describe persons who lived their lives according to Christian beliefs. In the Middle Ages, Engelmann was occasionally used as a given name to highlight the good qualities of a person considered to be saintly.

The name eventually also came to denote somebody who was viewed as having spiritual power. However, as Christianity spread to other parts of Europe, the surname began to take on other meanings as well. In some contexts, Engelmann would be used to refer to an individual with great wisdom and insight, while in others the name might be given to someone with a kind and gentle nature.

Today, the use of Engelmann as a surname is relatively uncommon in German-speaking countries, due to the myriad of derivative surnames linked to this original variant. However, it remains a reminder of the former spiritual symbolism associated with it. The Engelmann name is still used by some German families in other parts of the world who have kept the original version of the name alive.

Engelmann: Where does the name Engelmann come from?

The last name Engelmann is most commonly used in Germany today but has spread to other parts of Europe and beyond. In Germany, Engelmann is most commonly found in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Berlin. It is believed that its origins lie in those regions, with some records dating back to the 15th century.

Outside of Germany, the name is especially popular in countries such as France, Poland, Russia, Canada, the United States, and the Netherlands. In the US, there are several Engelmann families spread across many states, with some of the most populous regions in California, Texas, Florida, and Illinois.

In France, Engelmann is the surname of several celebrities, including Jean-Claude Engelmann and André Engelmann, both of whom were prominent film directors. In Austria, Engelmann is a popular surname among the country's nobility, including the Engelmann von Starhemberg family.

In recent years, the Engelmann name has also spread to countries in South America, such as Argentina, Chile, and Colombia, as well as to Australia, Japan, and South Africa. In total, there are an estimated 8,000 people who share this last name around the world.

Variations of the surname Engelmann

Engelmann is a surname that has been used since the Middle Ages and is of German origin. It is derived from the German for “angel man” and was likely used as a nickname for someone with angelic qualities. This surname is thought to have originated in the Rhineland, but is now found all over the world.

Variants and spellings of this name include Engelman, Angelemann, Ankelmann, Angilman, Angylman, Angelsman, Ingelman, Inkelmann, Ingellman and Engelherr. In its various forms, Engelmann is found most commonly in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, England and other countries of European origin.

The surname may also be found as an alternate spelling, such as Engelman, Engleman or Engelmen. In some cases, it is spelled differently in different countries. For example, in Austria it may be spelled Angelemann, while in Germany it may be spelled Angilman.

There are also various surnames that are related to Engelmann in some way or another. These include Engelhardt, Engelmanns, Englert, Englands, Englehardt, Engleman, Engelmayer, Englebrecht, Engelmannchen, Engelmayr and Englebrechers.

All in all, Engelmann is a very common surname, with countless variants, spellings and related surnames. It is easy to see how this ancient name has been passed down through the generations and has come to be used all around the world.

Famous people with the name Engelmann

• Ludwig Engelmann (1829–1905): German anatomist and professor of anatomy at the University of Leipzig
• Julius Engelmann (1839–1905): German botanist and professor of botany at the University of Halle
• Pierre Richer de Belleval (1745-1823): French botanist who revised Engelmann's work on plant anatomy
• William Engelmann (1920–1988): American psychologist and professor of psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles
• Moritz Engelmann (1832–1907): German neurologist and psychiatrist
• Johann Friedrich Engelmann (1789–1835): German pharmacist, scientist and professor of pharmaceutical chemistry at the University of Jena
• Jean Paul Engelmann (1866–1936): French neurologist and professor of neurology at the University of Strasbourg
• Eugen Engelmann (1863–1939): German zoologist and professor of zoology at the University of Leipzig
• Alfred Engelmann (1872–1953): German gynecologist and professor of gynecology at the University of Hamburg
• Fred Engelmann (1892–1981): American aeronautical engineer and professor of aeronautical engineering at the California Institute of Technology

Other surnames

EngelmaierEngelmairEngelmayerEngelmayr