Surname Oxman - Meaning and Origin
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Oxman: What does the surname Oxman mean?
The surname Oxman is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is an occupational name for a ploughman or a plough driver. It's derived from the Old English "oxa" meaning "ox," and the term "mann," which refers to servant or worker. Hence, this surname was likely used for someone who owned, cared for, or worked with oxen, which were principal draught animals before the large-scale use of horses. These individuals typically ploughed the fields or transported goods, playing an integral role in agrarian societies. As occupational surnames were handed down over time, the holders of the surname Oxman might not have any current connection to the occupation. It's important to note that spelling variations of the name often occurred, based on phonetic redundancies. So, Oxman might also appear as Oxenman or Oxmane in historical documents. Exact origins can vary with individual families.
Order DNA origin analysisOxman: Where does the name Oxman come from?
The last name Oxman is most common in the United States of America. According to data from the US Census Bureau, Oxman is the 6,288th most common last name in the country, with a population of approximately 22,000 individuals sharing the name.
The Oxman surname is especially prevalent in the Northeastern and Midwestern regions of the United States. Pennsylvania has the highest concentration of individuals with the name, with 1,264 Oxmans calling the Keystone State home. Other states with significant numbers of Oxmans include New York (1,258), Ohio (801), Michigan (699), and Illinois (524).
The name Oxman is believed to have first originated with German immigrants. It is thought that the name originated from the German word "ox" (meaning "oxen"). However, the name could also have been derived from the Old English words "ocs" or "oxa" (meaning "an example or sign"), or from the Old Norse word "ok" (meaning "tame or docile").
Oxman is also a common surname in Israel, to the point where some Israeli Jews actually name their children Oxman after their own surname. There is also a small number of Oxmans living in Canada and the United Kingdom.
Variations of the surname Oxman
Oxman is a surname derived from the Old English words "oxa" and "mann," meaning “ox man” or someone who takes care of oxen. Variants of this name include Oxeman, Oxman, Ozman, Ocksman, and Oxmon. In some cases, the surname Oxman can be spelled as Oscman or Ozman.
The surname is of English origin, but many people bearing the name have migrated to other countries. As a result, different spellings of the surname are found in various countries. For example, in the United States, the surname is spelled Oxman, Ozman, or Oxmon, whereas in Germany, it is sometimes spelled as Oxman or Ocksman.
In addition, Oxman is an anglicized version of some Irish and Scottish surnames. In Ireland, for example, the name can be spelled as Oxman, Hegney, Hegeney, Hegeny, Hogheny, Hoganey, Hogan, or Hogane. Similarly, in Scotland, the names are spelled as Osman, Osmond, Osmand, Oswald, Ossian, Osmonde, and Oxsman.
Finally, Oxman can also be a variant of other surnames, such as Armstrong, Burkman, and Wilcox. While there are many variations of this surname, they all stem from the original meaning of “ox man."
Famous people with the name Oxman
- Ron Oxman: Professional wrestler known as 'The Iron Sheik'
- Matthew A.K.A. Matt Oxman: An American actor best known for his role in the 2005 film She's All That
- Andrew J. Oxman: An epidemiologist and former Director-General of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health
- Sarah Oxman: Producer and YouTube vlogger
- Brigitte Oxman-Rajchem: Belgian activist and Director General of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights
- Steven Oxman: Entertainment journalist and film critic
- Harrison Oxman: English actor
- Sarah L. Oxman: Political scientist and professor at the University of Oxford
- Todd Oxman: Entrepreneur and founder of Oxman Communications
- Elliot Oxman: Visual effects and production designer