Surname Hemmesmann - Meaning and Origin
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Hemmesmann: What does the surname Hemmesmann mean?
The surname Hemmesmann is of German origin, and is derived from the Old German words 'hemme', meaning 'barrier or wall', and 'mann', meaning 'man'. It is likely that the surname originated in reference to an ancestor who lived near or owned a wall, either a geographic landmark or in a figurative sense, such as a barrier or wall of a castle.
Though Hemmesmann is not frequently seen in the United States, its history dates back to Germany where it was first documented in 1619 in the form “Hemmemänn”. This name was noted in the Kölnisches Stammbuch, a genealogical record from Cologne, Germany, and other records from the region.
The name continued to spread in Germany before being brought to American soil in the immigration wave of the 19th century. As of 2020, there are approximately 170 people in the United States with the surname Hemmesmann, the majority of whom are concentrated in the states of Michigan, Ohio, and Florida.
Though the exact origin of the surname is unknown, the name Hemmesmann is unique in its origin and meaning, and stems from the Middle Ages when walls and castles played an important role in protecting towns and villages from raiders or invaders. Its symbolism is surely responsible for the ongoing relevance of this family name in both the United States and Germany.
Order DNA origin analysisHemmesmann: Where does the name Hemmesmann come from?
The last name Hemmesmann is most commonly seen in Germany and other German-speaking countries, such as Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. In Germany, the name is particularly associated with the city of Berlin. Hemmesmann is a relatively common name in Berlin, where it is estimated to be the 30th most frequent surname according to the Berlin Telephone Directory.
Most people who bear the name Hemmesmann in Germany have a shared lineage that goes back to a common ancestor that lived in the 18th century. Over the centuries, this family has scattered across Germany, particularly in the western parts of the country, such as Berlin and the Rhineland.
More recently, the name has spread across the world, as people with the name Hemmesmann have emigrated to countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Some of these people have kept their last name, while others have adopted different variations of the name, such as Hemm-Hemmesmann.
Regardless of where in the world they are, people who are descended from the Hemmesmann family are connected by a shared history and shared lineage. This connection is powerful and can create a sense of belonging, even if those with the name are scattered across the globe.
Variations of the surname Hemmesmann
The surname Hemmesmann is an occupational name, derived from the Old German words ‘Hemme’ meaning ‘farm servant’ and ‘mann’ meaning ‘man’. It is used all around Europe, though it is most commonly found in Germany and the Netherlands. Throughout its history, the surname has changed and evolved numerous times, leading to a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The most common variants of the surname Hemmesmann are Hemmermann, Hemmingsmann, and Hemmersmann. The spelling Hemmingsmann is occasionally found in the Netherlands and Germany, whereas Hemmersmann is the traditional spelling for the surname in the Netherlands.
In the past, the surname Hemmesmann was also transliterated in various languages, such as Russian (Gemesman), Swedish (Hemmansson), and even Dutch (Hemmersma). It was also occasionally rendered in English as Emersman and Emeryman.
Other surnames of the same origin include Hemmelmann, Hemmele and Heilmann, all which were derived from the German word ‘helle’, meaning ‘bright’ as well as ‘hemme’, meaning ‘farm servant’. In Dutch, the surnames Heemmes, Havenaar, and even Bottenheft all derive from the same meaning and also refer back to the same origins of the Hemmesmann surname.
All of these surnames, whether variants, spellings, or of the same origin, have evolved from the same occupational word, backed by a strong German history. As such, they all share a common link and trace back to the same surname, Hemmesmann.
Famous people with the name Hemmesmann
- Michael Hemmesmann: Michael Hemmesmann is the CEO of Graebel Companies, a global moving and relocation services company with operations in over 175 countries. He has worked with some of the world's leading organizations such as Oracle, Honeywell and Xerox.
- Kai Hemmesmann: Kai Hemmesmann is an international soccer player who currently plays for German Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach. He has also represented Germany at various youth levels.
- Arnold Hemmesmann: Arnold Hemmesmann is a German journalist and media executive. He currently serves as Managing Director of Audiovisual Communications at the German Government's Federal Press Office.
- Manuela Hemmesmann: Manuela Hemmesmann is a former professional basketball player who represented Germany in the 1996 Summer Olympics. She currently serves as a senior advisor for the International Basketball Federation.
- Matthias Hemmesmann: Matthias Hemmesmann was a German photographer known for his portrait and street photography. He traveled extensively to capture moments of everyday life in cities around the world.