Meaning & History
Etymology
Herrmann is a German surname derived from the given name Hermann, which is a German form of Herman. The root name Herman originates from the Old German elements heri meaning "army" and man meaning "person" or "man," thus carrying the literal meaning of "army man."
Historical Context
The given name Herman was introduced to England by the Normans, fell out of use, and was later revived in the English-speaking world during the 19th century. The surname Herrmann, as a patronymic, likely emerged in German-speaking regions, denoting "descendant of Hermann." The variant spellings such as Hermann and Herrmann reflect regional orthographic traditions.
Distribution
According to the 2010 United States Census, Herrmann ranks as the 2,723rd most common surname in the country, with 13,226 bearers, the vast majority (95.08%) identifying as White. The name remains most frequent in Germany and among communities of German descent worldwide.
Notable Bearers
- Gottfried Herrmann (1800–1865), German organist and composer
- Emil Herrmann (1812–1885), German jurist and politician
- Max Herrmann (1865–1942), German literary historian
- W. A. Herrmann (19th–20th c.), German chemist
Related Names
Cognate surnames include the Norwegian Hermansen, Flemish Hermans, and English forms such as Herman, Harman, Harmon, and Hermanson.
- Meaning: "army man"
- Origin: German patronymic from Hermann
- Type: Surname
- Usages: German
Related Names
Sources: Wiktionary — Herrmann