Surname Follmer - Meaning and Origin
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Follmer: What does the surname Follmer mean?
The last name Follmer is of German and Swiss-German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German word "volmar," which translates to “wild prominent person.” In essence, Follmer can be interpreted to mean “wild leader.”
Follmer is an occupational name likely given in honor of someone who was a great leader. It was likely adopted by someone with a high social standing. Medieval German cities often attempted to create a sense of community among inhabitants by giving similar last names to several families. This is most likely the case with Follmer since it has been fairly consistently used since the Middle Ages.
During the Middle Ages, people who bore the last name Follmer were likely living in an area near Germany or Switzerland, or had family ties to this area.
Follmer is also a common family name in the United States, where it is most predominantly found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois. In addition, many people in the United States with the last name Follmer are of German or Swiss-German descent.
Overall, the name Follmer has an interesting and ancient heritage. It is a reminder of one’s strong family ties as well as of a great leader in history.
Order DNA origin analysisFollmer: Where does the name Follmer come from?
The last name Follmer is relatively uncommon today, but has a few pockets of concentration mainly in the United States, Germany, and Switzerland.
In the United States, the surname Follmer is estimated to have around 1,100 bearers, with concentrations in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Virginia. Pennsylvania is the state with the most bearers, with about 530. It is likely that the surname originated in Pennsylvania as the earliest known bearers of the name appeared in Eastern Pennsylvania during the eighteenth century.
In Germany, the surname is estimated to have around 600-700 bearers, with concentrations mainly in the states of Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Thuringen. The earliest record of this surname in Germany dates back to the late 1700s, when Johann Phillip Follmer arrived in Breitenerschluß, Jülich-Berg, Germany.
In Switzerland, the surname has about 230 bearers. It is mainly concentrated in the Canton of Bern, with a few smaller pockets in the Canton of Zurich. The name is believed to have arrived in Switzerland during the 1700s with the arrival Palatine immigrants.
Overall, Follmer is a relatively uncommon surname with pockets of concentration mainly in the United States, Germany, and Switzerland. It is likely an Americanized version of an original German name, first arriving in the United States in the 1700s.
Variations of the surname Follmer
The surname Follmer has a number of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Follman, Follmann, Vollmer, Volmer, Vivolmer, Folman, Vollmann, and Volmann.
The surname Follmer is of German origin and derived from the Middle High German “Volemer” meaning “people's friend” or “protector”. The early use of this surname pertains to the medieval knightly class of the same name, located near Frankfurt.
The Follmer surname can also be Anglicized to Folman. Folman comes from the same Middle High German roots, but was an alternative spelling of Volemer/Follmer in some branches of the family. It has also been spelled as Folmann or Vollmann, which also indicate alternative spellings of Volemer.
Other variants of the surname Follmer include Volmer, Vivolmer, and Vollmer. These alternative spellings are probably a shortened form of the same name. Vollmer is based on the Medieval German name Völmer, which means ‘folk friend’. It is likely that these variants were used for administrative purposes.
The different spellings of the surname Follmer are all linked and can all be traced back to the same origin. They all indicate a proud, noble, and powerful German heritage and can be traced back to the medieval knightly class of the same name. It is amazing to think that all these surnames today can be traced back to the same origin from centuries ago.
Famous people with the name Follmer
- Ken Follmer: Former American Football athlete who played in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams.
- Melinda Follmer: Professional ballroom dancer who has appeared on reality TV competition Dancing with the Stars.
- honeyhoney: Indie-folk band formed by Ben Jaffe and Suzanna Sotzky, both of whom have the surname Follmer.
- Robert Follmer: Folk artist, musician, and songwriter known for his soulful, bluesy style of singing.
- Scott Follmer: Designer, builder, author, and consultant in regards to log homes and real estate projects.
- John Follmer: American inventor and engineer who is awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation for hisl work within the engine and avionics industries.
- Thomas Follmer: American composer and producer whose works range from contemporary classical to electronic and jazz.
- Jacob Follmer: Entrepreneur and investor who has been heavily involved in the health care industry.
- Rachel Follmer: American actress who is known for her work within horror and sci-fi films, television shows, and video games.
- David Follmer: Former professional basketball player and current college basketball analyst for ESPN.