Surname Mumaw - Meaning and Origin

Mumaw: What does the surname Mumaw mean?

The surname Mumaw is of German origin, derived from the German word 'Mumme,' which can mean brewer or a kind of strong beer. The surname could have been given to a brewer or seller of beer. This name belong to the class of occupational surnames, which directly referenced a person's job or occupational status in society. Also, such surnames were often granted to individuals who had such occupations. Thus, the individuals who were known by this surname likely had some association with brewing or selling beer. Like other surnames, it has been passed down generations within families, serving as an identifier to a person's lineage. It is important to note that surname meanings can vary within regions and over time as language and societal structures evolve.

Mumaw: Where does the name Mumaw come from?

The last name Mumaw is most commonly found in the United States. It is a fairly common surname, particularly concentrated in the Midwestern states and Pennsylvania. According to the US Census Bureau’s 2020 estimates, Mumaw is the 7,859th most commonly used last name in the United States.

Mugaw can be traced back to the 1700s, and is classified as an Americanized form of the German last name ‘Meimaw’. It is likely that the German last name originated as an occupational name for a “woodcutter”. The ancestral homeland of the surname Mumaw is thought to be in Bavaria, which is a state in Germany that borders Austria and Czechia.

Mumaw is also a fairly common surname in Canada. According to the Canada 2011 Census, there were around 550 individuals with the last name ‘Mumaw’ living in Canada at the time. This would make the surname the 13,186th most commonly used last name in Canada.

At present day, Mumaw is not common in many other countries outside of the United States and Canada. The surname is relatively rare in England, Scotland and Australia, though it is not completely unheard of.

Overall, the last name Mumaw is more common in the United States and Canada than it is in most other places around the world.

Variations of the surname Mumaw

The surname Mumaw is a variation of the German surname Mueller or Müller. Other variants of Mumaw include Moomaw, Muhmaw, Muhm, Mueller, Meuhm, Millar, Millier, Muller, Millar, Moeller, Muhler, Moller, Mumaur, and Moomaw. Much of the modern variation is attributed to the vagaries of spelling during a time when most families were poorly educated and only marginally able to read.

The German origin of the name Mumaw is traceable to the Middle High German term "mul-ari," which means "miller." Milleries were important points of production and taxonomic residence during the early Middle Ages in Europe. The name's use as a surname would have arisen from identification with the miller's residence or trade. The surname could also have come from occupational names, as the root "mul" is derived from Old German words meaning "miller," or from the Middle High German "mul-maw," or "helper to the miller." The surname was a popular name across much of Europe in the Middle Ages, as mills were necessary components of local economies and communities.

The Anglo-Saxon equivalent of Mueller is Mullen, which can be traced to the Old English word "Moln," or "mill." Other similar spellings from across the English-speaking world include Moolin, Millin and Mullin. Additionally, the surname has migrated to other countries, where it has taken on slightly varied spelling forms based upon local linguistic conventions. For example, in France, the surname is spelled Moulineau, and in Spain, it is spelled Molinero.

Altogether, the surname Mumaw and its variants can be traced to a variety of sources, from Celtic and Germanic roots, to the cabinetmaker's tool of the same name. The variations of the name point to an interesting origin story: that of a family which migrated (or was forcibly relocated) between Europe and the British Isles, then sprouted off into new variations in other regions. The various spellings demonstrate the diversity of a people and their means of adaptation as they moved around Europe and beyond.

Famous people with the name Mumaw

• Carson Mumaw: He is an independent filmmaker hailing from Nashville, Tennessee best known for his work in Apollonia: The Woman Behind the Man.
• Carl Mumaw: He is an American author and movie producer. His work includes accounts of his combat experiences in the Vietnam War as well as many sci-fi horror films.
• Dave Mumaw: He is a former player in the National Football League. He is also remembered as one of the originators of the dig route in football when he played for the University of Michigan.
• Del Mumaw: An American artist, sculptor, and teacher, who developed wax modeling into a sculptural medium.
• Ervin Mumaw:He is an American professional basketball player who has played for the Harlem Globetrotters team.
• George Mumaw: He is an American freelance designer/illustrator who has done a lot of work for television shows, animated films, and comic books.
• Harry Mumaw III: He is an American professional golfer who has won four Professional Event Tour titles.
• John Mumaw: He is a retired American basketball player who played in the NBA from 1971 to 1974.
• Solomon Mumaw: He is an active American musician and composer. He plays several instruments, including classical and electric guitar, electric bass, and electronic synthesizers.
• Art Mumaw: He is an American professional actor and screenwriter. He is best known for portraying General Zod on the Superman TV series.

Other surnames

MumaMumahMumaugh