Surname Florman - Meaning and Origin

Florman: What does the surname Florman mean?

The last name Florman is a German-Jewish surname derived from the word “flur”, meaning “meadow”. The surname likely originated as either an occupational name for someone who lived or worked near a meadow, or as an identifying name to denote a person’s place of origin.

Since German-speaking Jews in the Middle Ages were prohibited from owning land, opportunities to make a living as an agriculturist were severely limited. Florman was likely the occupational surname of those Jews who were skilled in field-related work or crafts such as haymaking, charcoal burning, and the like.

The surname Florman can be found in many countries across Europe and beyond today, although its original roots lie in Germany and Eastern Europe. It is also possible that it has branched out to the United States and other English-speaking countries through immigration.

In Jewish genealogy and history, the surname Florman is associated with individuals who faced persecution throughout Europe because of their religion, their ethnicity, and their national origin. During the Holocaust, Jews bearing the surname Florman were at an even greater risk of being targeted and murdered than other Jews. Many Jews facing persecution left their homes and families to search for a better life elsewhere, or to find refuge from the horrors of Holocaust.

Though it is a difficult reminder of the struggle of Jews, the Florman surname is an important part of Jewish history and culture. It is a testament to the kind of resilience and courage displayed by those who faced relentless persecution.

Florman: Where does the name Florman come from?

The last name Florman is most commonly found today in the United States of America and Canada. Originally derived from the Middle Dutch term "vloerman," the last name Florman is most common in the south-central and southeastern states of the United States. It is also fairly common in parts of Canada as well.

There are many records available online detailing the spread of the Florman name in the United States between the 17th and 20th centuries. It is believed that the first settlers bearing the name Florman came to America in the 1600s. The majority of these settlers were of English or German descent with little influence from other countries.

By the 1940s, the concentration of Flormans began to shift from the Northeast to the South, particularly Texas. Many of these individuals were likely descendants of those who had initially settled in the area centuries before. In more recent decades, Flormans have relocated to various states throughout the South and Southwestern U.S., and can now be found in parts of the Midwest as well. The degree of concentration remains fairly high in southern states such as Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi.

The name Florman appears to be slowly spreading and becoming more widespread with time as descendants of those first settlers continue to move around the United States in search of new opportunities. While the exact origin of the name may never be known, its persistence over the centuries can be attributed to the resilience of the Florman family and those who proudly bear the name today.

Variations of the surname Florman

The surname Florman is an occupational name referring to a professional germinator of plants, or someone who makes a living from as a grower or trader of flowers. The variants, spellings and surnames of Florman can also include: Flourman, Floorman, Flowman, Florin, Florinman, Flourine, Floorine, Flowen, Flooren, Floramon, Florimon, Floran, Florenman, Florenzen, and Florline.

Florman is predominantly a Jewish name derived from the German origin, meaning "flowerman". The first documented use of this name was in Germany, when it first appeared as a surname in the late 1400s. It is also recorded in various German records throughout the 17th century, and was found as early as 1634 in the Parish registers of the city of Wolfenbüttel. The spelling of the name also changed during this period, often becoming more anglicized as families assimilated into the new country.

Florman is also an Americanized version of Florentine or Florian, which could be derived from the Old French surname Florant, which in turn derived from the Latin Florans, meaning “blooming” or “flourishing”. In France, the Florman name first appeared as Florant in the 11th century. During the 12th century, it was seen as Florin, and later as Florimond.

Florman also appears in Britain in various spellings, and is thought to have been introduced by Norman settlers during the Norman Conquest in 1066. It was commonly found in Devon and Cornwall as Fleurman, Flowermen, Floormen or Floorman. During the 16th century, the spelling changed to Floorman or Florman and became more anglicized.

Today, Florman is found all over the world, with various spellings. While it is most common in Germany, Switzerland, and the US, it is also present in Britain, France, Canada, Australia, and Israel.

Famous people with the name Florman

• Stephen Florman: lawyer, philanthropist, board member and executive
• Jonathan Florman: American documentary filmmaker and musician
• Ed Florman: well-known software entrepreneur and executive
• Marcus Florman: Wall Street executive
• Neil Florman: cardiologist, cardiac electrophysiologist and medical expert
• Sam Florman: best-selling author and UNESCO Chair
• Steven Florman: business leader and former president of the Brooklyn Dodgers
• John Florman: professional soccer player
• Larry Florman: composer and opera astronomer
• Baruch Florman: lawyer, historian and professor of history

Other surnames

Flormann