Surname Hermer - Meaning and Origin
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Hermer: What does the surname Hermer mean?
The surname Hermer is of German origin, and is a locational name deriving from any of the several places named Hermersberg. Locational surnames were used to identify people who moved from one place to another, or to identify people who stayed within the same village or area, but shifted their place of residence within the community. The root of the name is a compound of two elements; the Old High German ‘heri’ meaning ‘army’ used to refer to a fortified settlement, and ’mar’ meaning ‘swamp’.
The surname is most commonly found in Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria, two German federal states, and is thought to have been given to those who originally settled the area. It is likely that the name was acquired by people from other areas, who compared the geographic features of the settlement to their original homeland.
Hermer is a relatively adaptable surname, as its etymology gives it a military, if not a noble, suggestion. The name has been found in records in Germany, North America and England, allowing it to become a pan-European name, rather than solely a German one. In a few cases, Hermer has been found as a shortened form of Hermerding, which follows similar principles concerning early German settlement.
Order DNA origin analysisHermer: Where does the name Hermer come from?
The last name Hermer is originally of German and Jewish (Ashkenazi) origin and is found most commonly today in Germany. Within Germany, Hermer is found most often in the south-west region, especially in North-Rhine Westphalia. The name has likely been in Germany since the Middle Ages as there are records of the Hermer name appearing in the Bavarian region as early as 1398.
Outside of Germany, Hermer can also be found in many locations around Europe, including Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. Additionally, several people have carried the name Hermer to North America, mainly to the United States and Canada. People with this last name have also migrated to South America, mostly to Brazil and Argentina, as well as other countries such as Australia and New Zealand.
No matter where Hermers are located, it is certain that those with the name share a connection to Germany and its rich history. They may be related by blood, or they may be related by a shared culture, language, or religion. However, the lasting influence of the Hermer name shows that its legacy has spread across the world.
Variations of the surname Hermer
The surname Hermer is of Germanic origin, and is derived from the name Herman or its variant Hermann, which in turn is derived from the words ‘hari’ and ‘mann’. The original meaning of ‘hari’ is ‘army’ or ‘warrior’ and ‘mann’ means ‘man’. The resulting combination is essentially ‘Warrior-Man’.
The most common variant spelling is Herman, with numerous variations also being in use across Europe. These include Harmon, Harman, Herrmann, Hermann, Harmann, Herpman, Herrman, Harmanns, Harmans, Hermens, and Hermans. In Germany, for example, both Hermann and Herman are used as surname spellings.
The surname has given rise to a range of surnames, including Harmer, Harmer, Hermess, Hermers, Harmeister, Hermaszewski, Hermaske, Hermaszewicz, Hermaszewski, Harmanmaier, Harmsen, Hermetic, Hermaszuk, Hermelein, Hermetz, Hermischen, Harmera, Hermeling, Harmele, Hermecha, Hermont, and Harmens. Variants of these surnames exist in other languages, such as the Polish Harmański and Hermaszewski, the Dutch Harmeijer and Harmannie, and the French Harmont, Hermeley, and Hermely.
In summary, the surname Hermer is derived from the Germanic name Herman, and is variously spelt Herman, Harmon, Harman, Herrmann, Hermann, Harmann, Herpman, Herrman, Harmanns, Harmans, Hermens, and Hermans. Subsequent surname variants derived from these include Harmer, Harmer, Hermess, Hermers, Harmeister, Hermaszewski, Hermaske, Hermaszewicz, Hermaszewski, Harmanmaier, Harmsen, Hermetic, Hermaszuk, Hermelein, Hermetz, Hermischen, Harmera, Hermeling, Harmele, Hermecha, Hermont, and Harmens.
Famous people with the name Hermer
- Gene Hermer: an Emmy Award-winning journalist and news anchor.
- Coleman Hermer: a world-renowned sculptor and visual artist.
- Leah Hermer: a contemporary artist, exploring and interrogating the cultural identity of the Hong Kong diaspora.
- George Hermer: a British sailor known for his contributions in the famous 1885 race yacht America.
- Scott Hermer: a former professional basketball player.
- John Hermer: a British diplomat who served in Singapore from 1906-1910.
- David Hermer: a record producer and arranger, best known for his work on pop albums.
- Albert Hermer: a 19th century Canadian land speculator and entrepreneur.
- Elbill Hermer: a British composer of classical music.
- Arnold Hermer: a German-born sculptor who worked in both Germany and the United States.