Surname Thurmann - Meaning and Origin

Thurmann: What does the surname Thurmann mean?

The last name Thurmann is of German origin and has multiple variations, including the spelling Thurman, Thurmen, Thurmand, and Turman. It is derived from the German words ‘Dhur’ meaning ‘manly’, and ‘Mann’ meaning ‘man’. Together, the phrase would mean ‘manly or valiant man’.

Originally, the Thurmann name was likely related to a feudal relation to a German nobleman. It is believed that the Thurmann family originally served as a vassal to a local sovereign or landowner. During the Middle Ages, individuals would often take their lord’s family name as their own, creating patronymic surnames.

The Thurmann surname was most likely first used in German-speaking countries such as Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. As the family migrated, the name began to spread in the same areas as well as France and the United Kingdom.

Today, Thurmann is still a common last name in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, though it is thought to be one of the lesser common surnames. Even still, it serves to bring to mind a strong, resolute individual with great inner strength. It also speaks to the sense of community and history passed down to family members for generations.

Thurmann: Where does the name Thurmann come from?

The last name Thurmann is most commonly found in Germany, particularly the state of Bavaria in the south of the country. It is also found in Austria, particularly in Vienna, the capital. Additionally, there are small populations of people with the Thurmann surname in France, Switzerland, Denmark, and various other countries in Europe.

Outside of Europe, the name is rare. There are sparse pockets of Thurmanns in Australia, South America, and North America. However, the United States seems to have the largest concentration, with a notable number of Thurmanns living in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. Thousands of Americans with the surname in the 1930s are now remotely related, as many of the Thurmanns living in the Midwest today are descended from settlers who arrived to North America in the late 1800s.

In terms of etymology, the Thurmann surname belongs to the broader grouping of "Hermann" family names, which derives from the Germanic personal name "Herman". The surname is thought to be a patronymic form of the given name Hermann, descended from the medieval aristocrats of Germany. As such, it is likely that Thurmann was established as a family name centuries ago and has remained as a recognizable surname throughout the years.

Variations of the surname Thurmann

The surname Thurmann is an occupational surname derived from the historical account of a German family of blacksmiths. The spelling of the family name varies from one generation or place to another; however, the common forms are Thurman, Thurmon, Thurmann, Thurmane, Torrman, and Torrmon.

Thurman and Thurmon are likely derived from the German forenames Thür, Thürman, Thürmon, or Thur flighten, which is an aromatic herb related to the parsley family. Other variants may have been reformatted to more Anglo-Saxon versions of the same name.

Due to the popularity of the surname in German-speaking countries, several different spellings and surnames have arisen, which can be traced back to the original bearer of the name. These include: Durman, Durmann, Dhurmon, Dierman, Dorman, Dorfman, Thorman, and Thorman.

The surname could also have been a variation of the Old German title or office of the 'Thürtor' or 'Turmreiter', a keeper of a fortified gate or tower, which is a common usage in Germany until the seventeenth century. In this case, the variants Turmant, Turment, Turmenter, Turmeyer, Torment, and Tormenter could also be linked to the Thurmann surname.

As the Central European language has evolved over time, so too have the spellings of the Thurmann surname. There can additionally be many more regional variations of the surname due to different dialects and ethnic influences during the spread of the family name. The popularity and diversification of the Thurmann surname has also spread to other countries, since it has been transcribed and phonetically anglicized as Thurmant, Thormant, Thormandy, and Thorman in the British Isles and parts of North America.

Famous people with the name Thurmann

• Uma Thurman: Uma Thurman is an American actress and model best known for her roles in Pulp Fiction, Gattaca, Kill Bill, and more.
• Myra Thurman: Myra Thurman was an American jazz singer born in Chicago, Illinois in 1941. She was perhaps best known for her cover of Ella Fitzgerald's classic "Dream a Little Dream of Me".
• John Thurman: John Thurman is a Grammy-winning jazz musician originally from Birmingham, Alabama. He is most famous for his piano work in the classic Roy Ayers Ubiquity album "Everybody Loves the Sunshine".
• John T. Thurman: John T. Thurman was a famous 19th-century American financier and president of a number of prestigious banks throughout the Midwest. He was also an avid collector of rare books and manuscripts.
• Topper Thurman: Topper Thurman is a former American racecar driver best known for competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series from 2004 to 2006. He competed in 72 races during his career and won the NASCAR Busch Series championship in 2004.
• Donnie Thurman: Donnie Thurman was an American football star during the 1980s and early 90s, playing for the University of Michigan and the Los Angeles Raiders. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1990 and was selected to the Pro Bowl twice.
• Ray Thurman: Ray Thurman was a professional basketball player in the 1930s and 40s, playing primarily for the Chicago Bruins as well as the Providence Steamrollers. He won an ABL Championship in 1941.
• John R. Thurman: John R. Thurman was a prominent US congressman from Ohio during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was a member of the Shoe-String Caucus which fought for free trade.
• Dwight Thurman: Dwight Thurman was a professional boxer who competed in the Light Heavyweight and Cruiserweight divisions from 1981 to 1998. He earned a total record of 33-28-1 with 16 knockouts.

Other surnames

Thurman