Surname Wührmann - Meaning and Origin
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Wührmann: What does the surname Wührmann mean?
Wührmann is a German surname that originated in regions of the former German Empire in the 18th century, during the time of the first industrial revolution. The surname is derived from the combination of the German words würde and männchen, which combine to mean “little man of worth”. It is believed to have been a surname granted first to those who demonstrated their worthiness and reliability, such as those who distinguished themselves as reliable tradesmen.
As the industrial revolution gained momentum, enterprising individuals like the Wührmanns would have sought out opportunities to take advantage of the large markets and new technology that were starting to become available. This led to many Wührmanns becoming successful business people in various industries, including banking and manufacturing.
The Wührmann family would also have had a considerable influence in politics. During the 19th century, members of the family stood as mayors in various German cities. Wührmann was also the name of a family of aristocratic German statesmen. They served as the Minister of the Interior in the Government of Prussia, and as Cabinet Ministers and Ambassadors for the German Empire.
As German citizens, members of the Wührmann family would have likely been prominent figures in their local communities — highly respected for their contributions to both the economy and political landscape.
In modern times, the Wührmann name carries on in its reference to hard work, integrity and reliability — all of which remain core values of the Wührmann family today.
Order DNA origin analysisWührmann: Where does the name Wührmann come from?
The surname Wührmann is most commonly found in the German-speaking world. It is most prevalent in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is also found in some other European countries, such as Belgium, Denmark, and the Czech Republic, but it is significantly less common. It is also found in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia, but there is likely to be a much smaller number of people bearing this last name in these countries than in the Germanic countries mentioned earlier.
The surname Wührmann is derived from the Low German word würme, which means worm. It likely started off as a nickname for a person who resembled a worm in some way. This could refer to physical characteristics like a long, slim body, or could also refer to negative behaviours such as an ability to wriggle out of difficult situations. It is also likely that it is derived from someone who lived near a lot of fields, and thus worked as a worm farmer.
The surname is most likely to have spread northwards during the medieval era from central and northern Europe, reaching the Rhineland and northern Germany. This means that the surname would have been characterised by certain traits depending on the region it spread to. For instance, in eastern Germany the surname was most often associated with agriculture, while in more western areas the name is linked more to trade and commerce.
The use of the name Wührmann has been well documented through records. The earliest known record of the name dates back to 1459, when a man named Hans Worbringer was mentioned in an estate record in the state of Thuringia. As a result, it can be assumed that the surname was in use at least a few centuries earlier.
Variations of the surname Wührmann
The surname Wührmann is a German name that was originally derived from the place-name Wühr. Its variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Wuermans, Wurm, Wurmann, Wuerman, Wuermers, Wurmmans, Wuermelmans, Wurmmelmann, Wuermermann, Wuermeler, Wurman, Wuermlein, Wuermeler, Wuermell, Wermeleman, Woremann, Wermelemann, Wurmale, Würmele, Würmelemann, Wurmeleman, Werme, Würme, Wuermuller, Wurmhuber, Wurmbauer and Wurmer.
The earliest records of the surname Wührmann date all the way back to the 13th century in Germany, when it was first used as a surname. The earliest known bearer was one Heinrich Würman of Esslingen, who was listed in a document from 1270. The name spread rapidly throughout Germany and other parts of Europe. By the 15th century, the surname Wührmann had gained enough prominence to be included in records of nobility.
Over the centuries, some members of the Wührmann family have changed variants or spellings of the surname to reflect their changing geographic locations or other personal reasons. As immigration of the Wührmann family to other countries has increased, so have their chances of having their surname adapted to different spellings. The various spellings of the surname Wührmann all evolved from the same origin, ultimately linking all bearers to the same family line.
Famous people with the name Wührmann
- Josefine Wührmann: Josefine Wührmann is a German actress, singer and TV presenter. She was a member of the musical group Die Wühlmäuse and is currently a host on the children's show Die Sendung mit der Maus.
- Adrianna Wührmann: Adrianna Wührmann is a German classical mezzo-soprano and actress. She studied music at the Dresden University of Music where she received a soloist's diploma.
- Hermann Wührmann: Hermann Wührmann is a German professional footballer and a full international for the Germany national team. His current club is MSV Duisburg in the 2. Bundesliga.
- Peter Wührmann: Peter Wührmann is a German politician in the Christian Democratic Union. He served as the leader of Schleswig-Holstein's CDU between 1996 and 2000.
- Wilhelm Wührmann: Wilhelm Wührmann was a German lawyer and politician who served as the Minister of Finance in Prussia from 1921 to 1923. He was a member of the conservative German National People's Party.
- Georg Wührmann: Georg Wührmann was a German Lieutenant General of the German Army in World War II. He commanded several divisions and was a recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross.
- Manfred Wührmann: Manfred Wührmann is a German fencer. He won three bronze medals at the World Fencing Championships, as well as the silver at the 1970 European Fencing Championships.
- Wolfgang Wührmann: Wolfgang Wührmann is a German musicologist and conductor. He has held various esteemed university positions and served as the general manager of the Bavarian State Opera.
- Christiane Wührmann: Christiane Wührmann is a German pair skater. She competed internationally with husband Uwe Bauersfeld, winning the bronze medal at the 1985 European Figure Skating Championships.