Surname Höhmann - Meaning and Origin

Unveiling Ancestral Roots and the Legacy of Höhmann: A Personal Reflection on iGENEA DNA Test Results

The results of my iGENEA DNA test have transformed my understanding of my family heritage, particularly the historical and cultural implications tied to the surname Höhmann. This personally significant revelation has redefined my connection to my lineage and broadened my understanding of our family identity.

Z. Höhmann

Höhmann: What does the surname Höhmann mean?

The last name Höhmann is an occupational surname of German origin. It is derived from the Middle High German elements ‘hoh’, which means a ‘high’ or ‘elevated’ place, and ‘mann’, meaning ‘man’. Thus, the surname Höhmann is essentially a descriptive surname, given to a person who lived in or near a hill, mountain or some other elevated place.

The inhabitants of the Central and Eastern part of Europe, mostly Germans, had a long history of taking the name of their places of residence as their surnames. Such names came into use during the early medieval period, when most people lived in small rural communities and were identified by their place of residence, rather than their family names. By the end of the twelfth century, distinguishing family names began to become the norm, as people started to migrate to larger communities or moved out of their hometowns.

The name Höhmann is quite rare, with only a few thousand families bearing it. Today, it can be found mainly in the areas of German-speaking countries, such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as in North America.

In the broadest sense, the name Höhmann is a reminder of a person’s connection to the land, a timeless link which connects us all to our past. It is also a reminder of the family’s rich history in Germany, and of their willingness to adapt to changing times and new lands.

Höhmann: Where does the name Höhmann come from?

The last name Höhmann is most commonly found in Germany today, particularly in the western and southern areas. It is among the most common surnames in Germany, ranking in the top 100 most used last names in the country. It is thought to be derived from the Middle High German word 'hohm' which meant 'to protect' or 'protecting', likely referring to the original family's occupation of being a protective guardian.

The surname has expanded beyond Germany's borders and is now found in many other countries including Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, France, and the United States. It is even present in some parts of Canada.

The Höhmann family has many notable members throughout history, including Johan Wilhelm Höhmann, a German composer; Nikolaus Höhmann, a German sculptor; Johann Höhmann, a German astronomer; Ferdinand Höhmann, a German-born Bavarian chess master; and Julius Höhmann, an Austrian businessman.

In the United States today, the last name Höhmann can be found in several states, including California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, New Jersey, and more. It may also be found in a few countries outside of Germany and North America, such as the United Kingdom, whereby American ex-pats have brought it over there.

Variations of the surname Höhmann

The surname Höhmann is of German origin and is a variant of the common surname Höffmann. Variants of this name include Hohman, Hoehmann, Höhnen, Hühmann, and Hühmen. An alternate spelling using the ‘ö’ character is Hoehman, Hofman, or Hoefman. In some instances, such as in residence records, the name may be spelled Hoefmann.

A version of the name Höhmann is Höffmann, which is derived from German words Hoffman meaning “smith” or “saddler” and Hofmann meaning “hallman.” This surname is also sometimes recorded as Hoffsmann, Hoffmann, or Hofmann. The original spelling of the name was Hofman, but it changed to Höhmann later on, due to a shift in pronunciation.

The surname Höhmann is also associated with a number of other surnames all related to the same original name. Common surnames that are related to Höhmann include Hömke, Hömann, Hörmann, Hövelmann, and Hövermann. Numerous variations on the original Höhmann spelling can also be found, such as Heyman, Heemann, and Heimann.

Given the wide variety of surnames associated with this name, it is likely that many families of this surname originate from a common source. In some cases, the spelling of the surname may have been changed over time, but the root source of the name remains the same. The wide variety of spellings also helps to trace the journey of individuals with the Höhmann surname across different generations.

Famous people with the name Höhmann

• Fritz Höhmann: Fritz Höhmann (1883–1960) was a German Protestant Christian theologian, philosopher and pedagogue.
• Christine Höhmann-Dennhardt: Christine Höhmann-Dennhardt is a German corporate lawyer. She formerly served on the boards of the Volkswagen Group, Daimler AG and Deutsche Bank.
• August Höhmann: August Höhmann (1869-1937) was a German architect active in Dortmund, Germany.
• Wilhelm Höhmann: Wilhelm Höhmann (1907-1945) was a German diplomat who served as the German ambassador to the Soviet Union in 1945.
• Hugo Höhmann: Hugo Höhmann (1875-1940) was a German diplomat who worked in the German foreign service from 1910 until his death.
• Carl Höhmann: Carl Höhmann (1890-1967) was a German World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.
• Ernst Höhmann: Ernst Höhmann (1879-1964) was a German composer and organist, best known for his composition of "St. Matthew Passion".
• Robert Höhmann: Robert Höhmann (1915-1992) was a German actor best known for his roles in the West German historical television drama 'Karl May' and the Luxembourg-French-West German co-production 'Laura'.
• Peter Höhmann: Peter Höhmann (1935-2012) was a German actor, musician, composer and conductor.
• Johann Ertel Höhmann: Johann Ertel Höhmann (1871-1951) was a German orientalist and academic who specialised in Mesopotamian archaeology.

Other surnames

Hohman