Surname Hermesdorff - Meaning and Origin

Hermesdorff: What does the surname Hermesdorff mean?

The last name Hermesdorff is of Germanic and Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English word hæmes, meaning "home." It was likely used to describe a person who lived near a homestead, but could also be a locational surname given to someone who moved from one homestead to another. The suffix "-dorff" likely originates from the Germanic "dorf," meaning a village or settlement, providing an additional layer of indication as to where an individual resided when they were given the surname.

The meaning of the name can also be seen in other names of similar origin, such as Hermsen and Hermsmeier. These are similar to Hermesdorff in that each contains the element of "hæmes," but each also encompasses a certain versant, such as the Germanic element "-meier" for gardeners and farmers or the Dutch suffix "-sen" meaning house.

Taken together, the surname Hermesdorff provides an indication of where a person would traditionally be found – in a homestead, village or settlement – and therefore can go some way to providing a window into the historical migratory patterns of a family or group of people.

Hermesdorff: Where does the name Hermesdorff come from?

The last name Hermesdorff is most commonly seen in Germany and other German-speaking countries such as Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. The name is of German origin and has been in existence since at least the 15th century. Records from that time period and even earlier point to a presence of the name Hermesdorff in the region.

It is important to note, however, that the name Hermesdorff has spread across the world in the present day. This includes countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Poland, Costa Rica, and Chile, to name a few. This is likely due to the international movement of people, especially in the 20th century.

In the U.S., there are a few people with the last name Hermesdorff, most of whom are located in the states of California, Florida, New York, and Texas. It is interesting to note that while the name was once largely confined to Germany and other German-speaking countries, it has now spread to many other parts of the world.

The last name Hermesdorff may be a part of many different cultures today, but it will likely always have a strong link to Germany and other German-speaking countries. It is interesting to note how a name can go from being seen in one small region of the world to being found in many different places.

Variations of the surname Hermesdorff

The surname Hermesdorff is a German := surname originating from areas such as Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Variants of this surname include Hermsdorff, Hermesdorfer, Hermsdorfer, Hermsdorf and Hermsdorf.

In Germany, the name has become divided into two distinct spellings. Hermesdorff is the more traditional spelling while Hermsdorf is the more modern form of the same name. The modern spelling is found more often in the Bavarian region of Germany, particularly in the city of Nuremberg.

The German pronunciation of Hermesdorff is 'her-mɛsdɔrf' with an 'r' sound almost completely omitted, while the variant, Hermsdorf, is pronounced more like 'hermz-dorf ' with a different emphasis on the 'r' sound.

Variations of the name, such as Hermsdorfer and Hermsdorf, have been found in Switzerland and Austria, as well. The name in these two countries is usually pronounced with a hard 'r' sound.

The earliest known record of the surname in Germany dates back to the 1700s and is spelled Hermsdorff. It’s believed the name could have been derived from the old German words, 'herme' meaning 'shoulder' and 'dorf' meaning 'village.'

Famous people with the name Hermesdorff

• Charlotte von Hermesdorff (1766–1832), German baroness
• Peter von Hermesdorff (1816–1890), German notable
• Vladimir Minorsky (1877–1966), Russian orientalist and linguist
• Graf von Hermesdorff (1890–1975), German soldier and Commander-in-Chief of the Volkssturm
• Harro von Hermesdorff (1907–2006), German lieutenant-colonel and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross
• Wolfgang von Hermesdorff (1908–2003), German writer and novelist
• André von Hermesdorff (1927–2014), German diplomat and ambassador
• Renate von Hermesdorff (born 1937), German musician
• Hartmut von Hermesdorff (1940–2012), German comedian and actor
• Hendrik von Hermesdorff (born 1948), German-Brazilian philosopher and author

Other surnames

Hermesdorf