Surname Lehmen - Meaning and Origin
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Lehmen: What does the surname Lehmen mean?
The last name Lehmen is believed to have originated as a Germanic occupational name, referring to someone residing near a lime tree (Lehme is the German term for lime tree). The name is also thought to be related to a German word meaning ‘German’. Thus, the name could be seen to be a double indication of both ancestry and inheritance.
Its first recorded use dates back to 1295, as a named witness to the deed of Hendrik von Hoven, and was mentioned in various documents for several generations of descendants of that family.
The Lehmens were a family of considerable importance in the region of Weser and Lower Rhine, being very well-known merchants within the region.
The family grew to become one of the wealthiest in the region, as witnessed by the Latin record obtained in 1566. This indicated that the family was no longer in a nomadic state and seemed to have set its own territory, with a fairing represented by their own coat of arms.
Over the centuries, a number of variants of the name have emerged as different branches of the family migrated and spread across the world. Today, Lehmen is a very common last name and is often found in countries like Germany, the United States, and Canada.
Order DNA origin analysisLehmen: Where does the name Lehmen come from?
The last name Lehmen is particularly popular in parts of Germany such as North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, Lower Saxony, and Baden-Württemberg. It is also common in the surrounding countries, including the Netherlands, France, Poland, and Switzerland.
The Lehmen surname has experienced migration to other parts of the world, primarily the United States. Lehmen was first found in Bavaria, where the name became noted for its many branches within the region, each house acquiring a status and influence which was often envied by the princely family. By the 19th century, a large number of Lehmen families had immigrated to America seeking improved living conditions.
In the US today, the last name Lehmen is widespread across the country. In the 2010 US Census, the estimated population with the Lehmen last name was 6,502. This ranks as the 2,313th most common last name in the US today.
Overall, the name Lehmen is fairly common throughout the German-speaking countries and it has been brought over to the US by many descendants of immigrants who are still proud to carry the name today.
Variations of the surname Lehmen
Variants of the surname Lehmen include Lehmenn, Lehmann, Löhmen, Löhmann, Lehman, Lehmann, Lehm, Lehmanns, Lehmanns, Leimann, Leimanns, Leimanns, Lehmanns, Lehman, Loemann, Loehmann, Laemmlein, Laemmle, Laemlein, Leemann, Leimann, Loyman, Loymann, Leimans, Laymann, and Leimers.
The surname Lehmen or its variants mostly originate from German-speaking countries such as Germany, Luxembourg, and Austria. It is derived from the Middle High German word "leheman" which means an official or cottage owner.
In some cases, the spelling could also be a derivative of the given name "Leonard" which means brave and lionhearted.
Lehmen and its variants are also commonly found among the Jewish population of Central and Eastern Europe. In many cases, the original spelling of the surname was changed to simplify or adulterate the spelling in order to make it sound more German.
Another peculiarity of the Lehmen surname is the frequent use of double consonants at the beginning of the word, particularly in the written form. This can be attributed to the German orthography, which is a writing system that uses two letters to represent a single consonant.
In conclusion, the Lehmen surname has numerous variants and spellings with different origins. Despite the differences in spelling, they all essentially refer to the same surname.
Famous people with the name Lehmen
- John Lehman: Former United States Secretary of the Navy under Ronald Reagan
- Benno Lehmann: Austrian psychiatry professor and author of several books
- Niki Lehmann: Swiss cross-country skier
- Brigitte Lehmann: Swiss Olympic figure skater
- Herbert Lehmann: Austrian engineer and inventor
- Robert Lehmann: German poet, author, and filmmaker
- Hermann Lehmann: German nobleman and Comanche tribal member
- Friedrich Lehmann: German lawyer and entrepreneur
- Erich Lehmann: German mathematician and psychometrician
- Erich Lehmann: German Olympic-level water polo player and swimmer