Surname Timmerman - Meaning and Origin

Unveiling Hidden Lineages: How my iGENEA DNA Test Transformed my Perception of being a 'Timmerman'

I took an iGENEA DNA test, linking my surname, Timmerman, predominantly to Germany. Still, the test revealed unexpected yet intriguing Scandinavian and Iberian components to my heritage, transforming my identity and sense of self in this world.

G. Timmerman

Timmerman: What does the surname Timmerman mean?

The last name Timmerman is a Dutch and German occupational surname which means “woodworker” or “carpenter”. In both cultures, the names was given to individuals who worked as carpenters and woodworkers for a living.

The name originates from the Middle Dutch word “timme” which means “to saw wood” or “to carve wood”. Over time, the phrase became known as a third person singular infinitive of “timmern” and by the 19th century, it had become the recognized personal name Timmerman for carpenters and woodworkers.

Timmerman is a very common surname in Dutch-speaking regions and one of the most common last names among first generation Dutch and German immigrants to North America. It is estimated that over 10,000 people in the United States alone carry the surname.

Timmerman is also used in many other parts of Europe including Germany, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Poland, as well as in the Netherlands Antilles in the Caribbean.

Timmerman is an occupational name denoting a hereditary craftsperson and the legacy of hard work and pride in one’s trade is evident for many generations of families bearing the name.

Timmerman: Where does the name Timmerman come from?

The last name Timmerman is a Dutch surname, meaning "a person who works with timbre". It is most commonly found in the Netherlands and the U.S. states of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota.

In the Netherlands, Timmerman is the 25th most popular surname, with around 15.5 thousand people bearing it. It is most commonly found in the provinces of Noord-Brabant, Utrecht, and Flevoland.

In the United States, as of the most recent census, around 12,000 people bear the Timmerman surname. It is most common in Wisconsin and Michigan, where there are more than 2,000 people with the last name. Due to migration, it is also common in Minnesota, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Florida, and New York.

On a much smaller scale, the last name can also be found in Australia and Canada. It is believed that those bearing the surname in those countries all descended from Dutch ancestars, making it a strong part of the diaspora.

Overall, the last name Timmerman is most commonly found in the Netherlands and several states of the United States. It is a part of Dutch culture and a symbol of Dutch diaspora, shared by many around the world.

Variations of the surname Timmerman

The Timmerman surname has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common variant of the name is Timmerman, with other forms such as Timmermans, Timmermans, Timmermberg, Timmermansen, Timme, Timme-man, Timmen and Timmer. All of these variants have their roots in the Dutch language, with the suffix “-man” indicating a man or worker, and “timmer” meaning carpenter or joiner.

The name Timmerman is believed to have first originated in the Netherlands, with the earliest recorded instance being a delivery by William Timmerman to a church in 1124. The name spread throughout the Low Countries and Germany, with the Timmermans variant first appearing in 1321 in Flanders. It is recorded in France and England with variant spellings , such as the Timmerman family of Normandy in 1618.

In the United States, the Timmerman name began with Dutch immigrants who arrived in the mid-19th century. Variants like Timmermansen and Timme-man are now common variations found in the United States.

Variants of the name include the German variant, Timmermann, and the French variant, Tuermerman. Other variants include Tummers, Temmerman, Timman, Timon, Timar, Temme, Timm, Tigeman, Teuber, Tomme and Tumman.

Surnames with similar meanings include Zimmermann, Schreiner, Fechter, Boch and Holzmann, all of which mean carpenter in German. Additionally, Bogerman, Wampen and Bockermann are Dutch surnames derived from the same root.

Famous people with the name Timmerman

• John Timmerman: American horseshoe pitcher and 1987 World Champion.
• Ed Timmerman: former professional basketball player.
• Denny Timmerman: professional stock car racing driver.
• Gert Jan Timmerman: Dutch professional footballer.
• Cor Timmerman: Dutch professional swimmer.
• Johnny Timmerman: former professional American football player.
• Edward R. Timmerman: American politician who served as mayor of Green Bay, Wisconsin.
• Justin Timmerman: American freestyle skier.
• Bob Timmerman: American baseball coach.
• Wally Timmerman: American soccer player.
• John Timmerman: American politician who served as a Republican member of the Kansas House of Representatives.
• Peter Timmerman: Dutch professional squash player.
• James Timmerman: former professional American football player.
• Rik Timmerman: Dutch professional speed skater.
• Axel Timmerman: German diver.
• Michael Timmerman: American voice actor.
• Ronald Timmerman: Dutch field hockey player.
• Leendert Timmerman: Dutch painter and graphic artist.
• Roger Timmerman: American boxer.
• Steve Timmerman: Canadian professional ice hockey player.

Other surnames

TimmermannTimmermannsTimmermansTimmermeesterTimmermeierTimmermeisterTimmermeyer