Surname Herms - Meaning and Origin
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Herms: What does the surname Herms mean?
The last name Herms is of German and Dutch origin, and can be traced back to Old High German. It is believed to be derived from "Herma", an old German term for referring to a popular leader or ruler. The name has evolved over the centuries from Herma to Hermaen, and then ultimately to Herms. For many centuries, the Herms surname has been associated with families of power, royalty, and prominent social standing.
In Germany, the name was first documented in Mecklenburg, a northern coastal region of Germany. During this time, many families of the aristocracy adopted the name to reinforce their lineage or honor their ancestors. Monarchs, noblemen, merchants, and craftsmen all adopted the name.
Today, members of the Herms family are scattered across the world, with its largest presence in the United States. As true today as it was centuries ago, Herms families are often associated with success, having achieved prominence in many industrial, scientific, commercial, and legal fields. The Herms name is also increasingly found in the entertainment world, sport, and technology industries.
Ultimately, the lasting legacy of the Herms name is its strong representation of highly esteemed cultural, business, and political leadership. Through the centuries, the Herms family has demonstrated a commitment to excellence and making a difference in their respective societies.
Order DNA origin analysisHerms: Where does the name Herms come from?
The surname Herms is most commonly found in Germany today, particularly in the northern areas, as well as in the Netherlands and Denmark. The earliest records of the Herms family date back to the 13th century, when they were mentioned as living in the Prussian province of Prussia, in what is now Germany.
The Herms name translates to “bear” and is likely derived from a Germanic word referring to a powerful and large mammal, such as a bear or a moose. It was a popular name among various German-speaking families in the Middle Ages, and from the end of the 13th century, it can be found in records throughout Northern Germany, which was once part of the larger Holy Roman Empire.
Today, many with the Herms surname are of Germanic ancestry, and can trace their lineage back to the Middle Ages. There are also several families living in the United States who have adopted the Herms name and are descended from German immigrants who arrived during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In American records, the surname is often spelled with a “y” instead of an “i”.
The Herms surname is relatively uncommon in areas outside of Germany, the Netherlands, and Denmark, however, it is gradually becoming more widespread due to genetic genealogy and DNA testing providing more clues and evidence about the family’s origins. There is evidence that suggests there may also be smaller populations of people with the Herms surname found in Poland, Sweden, and Finland.
Variations of the surname Herms
The surnames Herms, Herrms, Hermse, Hermsen, Hermsman and Hermsmann originate from the Middle High German term Hirmes or Hirmas and can be traced back to an ancestor who was likely a merchant from the German state.
The variants for this surname include Herms, Herrms, Hermse, Hermsen, Hermsman, Hermsmann, Ermsen, Ermse, Ermanns, Ermens, Erms, Härms, Härmsen, Härmse, Härmmann, Härmann, Hermes, Hesemann, Heseman, and Heßmann.
The spellings for this surname take a variety of forms, such as Herms, Hermsen, Herrms, Erms, Ermse, Hermse, Ermanns, Ermens, Härms, and Härmsen.
In the United States, the surnames Herms and Herrms are most often Anglicized as Hermes or Hermanns.
The surnames Herms, Hermse, and Ermsen are common in Germany and parts of the Netherlands, while Hermsman and Hermsmann are found mainly in Germany and parts of Belgium.
In the Netherlands, the surname is now most commonly spelt Hermsen, while Herrms is also found in some families.
The alternative spellings carry the same heritage and include, Hesemann, Heseman, Hessmann, Herrmann, and Hermans.
Overall, the surname Herms, its variants, and spellings are a testament to a shared ancestry originating in Germany during the Middle Ages.
Famous people with the name Herms
- Dr. Marcus Herms: German football coach
- Anton Herms: German painter and graphic designer
- Herms Niel: German composer
- Hugo Herms: German art historian
- Andreas Herms: German physicist
- Jürgen Herms: German neurologist
- Titus Herms: American actor
- Dr. Florian Herms: German genetics specialist
- David Herms: American television writer
- David Herms: American musician
- Rainer Herms: German composer
- Christian Herms: German classicist
- Jan-Christian Herms: German composer and pianist
- Johnson Herms: American recording engineer
- Jeff Herms: American musician