Surname Ulman - Meaning and Origin

Ulman: What does the surname Ulman mean?

The last name Ulman is of German and Jewish origin. It is derived from the Middle High German term “ulme” and is thought to be used to describe someone who lived near an elm tree. This name is believed to have initially been used as a toponymic surname, as families commonly adopted the name of their homes or regions of origin.

The Ulman surname is found most commonly in Eastern and Central Europe, particularly in Germany, but in recent times it has also been used by Jewish Ashkenazi families living in the former Soviet Union. Today it is most commonly found in Russia, Ukraine, Germany, the United States, Austria, and Israel.

In the United States, Ulman immigrants largely settled in the East Coast and Midwestern states such as New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. Some Ulmans settled alongside other German immigrants in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

The Ulman name is common among those of Jewish descent, and many of these individuals arrived in the United States prior to World War II. Ulmans in the United States today often use the family name to celebrate their heritage and cultural identity, with many joining Jewish organizations to honor their ancestral heritage.

Ulman: Where does the name Ulman come from?

The last name Ulman is most frequently found in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland today. It is also common in Israel, where many German and Austrian Jews settled during and after World War II. In the United States, it is relatively uncommon, with fewer than 1,000 households bearing the name.

The surname refers to an occupational name, derived from the ancient Germanic word for "craftsman," and was particularly popular among 17th century Protestants from Franconia in the German-speaking region of Swabia. Records show that the name Ulman is particularly common in the districts of Döbeln and Glauchau in Saxony as well as in the district of Neustadt an der Aisch in Bavaria.

Despite its Germanic origins, the name Ulman may have several meanings. In Czech, it translates to "pleasant," and in Hebrew, it roughly translates to "worldly wisdom." Additionally, people of Hungarian heritage may use Ulman to denote someone of German descent.

Although Ulman is a relatively uncommon name in the United States, it has been popularized over the years by numerous celebrities, such as comedian Zach Galifianakis and artist Robert Ulman. As the name gained more exposure, its popularity began to spread, and many people bearing the name Ulman can now be found throughout the world.

Variations of the surname Ulman

The origin of the surname Ulman is generally believed to be of German and Jewish in origin. Variants of the surname Ulman include: Uhlman, Oulman, Ullman, Uelman, and Ullmann.

In some instances, the surname Ulman may also be spelled as Allman, Ehlman, Uhlmann, Ullmann, Uhlmonn, Ullmann, Allmann, Allmang, Ullmonn, or Uleman.

In some other instances, the surname Ulman may also be spelled Uhl, Uhlm, Uhlma, Uhlman, Ul, Ull, Ullm, Ullma, or Ullman. In the Dialects of Low German, the name may be spelled as Ullmann, Ullman, Uleman, Oulman or Ollman.

The surnames Ulman, Allman, Ullman and Uhlman are predominantly Jewish, which is likely due to the surname entering the language during the persecution of Jews during and immediately after World War II. In addition to this, the Jewish roots of the surname could also be linked to the fact that Jewish immigrants commonly used their father’s first name as their surname.

The Ulman family name is also frequently found in Germany and other German-speaking countries such as Austria and Switzerland, as well as in other parts of Europe. This suggests that the surname has been in existence since the Middle Ages and was likely adopted by families who had settled in different parts of Europe during this period.

The surnames Uleman, Ullman and Ullmann are also found in the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden, and likely originated in the Low Countries or elsewhere in Northern Europe. In the United Kingdom, the surname Ullman is commonly found in Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales, indicating the name was used by immigrants from Northern European countries.

Famous people with the name Ulman

• Jenna Ullman: American actress, singer, model, and television personality
• Michael Ullman: American cognitive neuroscientist
• Alexander Ulman: Russian playwright
• Fritz Ulman: German tenor
• Stephen Ulman: British film producer, director and screenwriter
• Harry Ulman: American actor
• Arthur Ulman: Romanian-born American comedian
• Thomas Ullman: American lieutenant.-colonel and Medal of Honor recipient
• W.R. Ulman: American football coach
• Mark Ulman: British actor, television presenter and radio presenter

Other surnames

UlmaierUlmannUlmar