Surname Goltermann - Meaning and Origin
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Goltermann: What does the surname Goltermann mean?
The last name Goltermann is of German origin and is thought to be derived from the pre 7th century German nickname "Golt-heri-man". It is thought that this name was given to one who was hale and hearty, or someone who was bold and courageous.
Golt is an old Germanic word meaning 'gold', and heri or heri was an ancient nickname suffix meaning 'army man' - so the literal translation of the last name Goltermann is ‘Gold Army Man’.
This suggests that the original bearer of this surname was either a member of a noble family or was a brave warrior who had achieved some military success. As a result, the Goltermann surname is often associated with nobility and courage.
This surname is still found in various areas of Germany today, and many modern day Goltermanns may still have connections to its original bearer, whether they are aware of it or not.
Goltermann is also a popular surname in the United States, and variations of the spelling (Golterman, Goltman, Golterman, Goltzmann, Goltzman, etc) have spread to other areas of the world.
No matter where it is found, the Goltermann name will always be an honorable reminder of one's German heritage and of the courageous and noble spirit of its original bearer.
Order DNA origin analysisGoltermann: Where does the name Goltermann come from?
The last name Goltermann is most common today in German-speaking countries. It is found mostly in the states of North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria, as well as in the Czech Republic, Poland and Austria. The name is believed to originate from the Middle Ages, where it was a common surname among German nobility. It is still a popular surname in Germany today, albeit rare in other countries.
The first recorded instance of the name appears in 1309 in Bavaria, where a knight named Friherr Henry von Goltermann is mentioned. Throughout the Middle Ages, the name spread across Germany, when it was adopted by nobles and other prominent families.
At the end of the 18th century, the name was the tenth most common last name in the Bavarian state of Schwabach, with over 220 people bearing it. The highest number of Goltermann surnames during this period was found in Biebergemuend, where 10% of the population bore that name.
The modern prevalence of the name may be attributed to increased emigration and population growth in Germany in the 20th century. As such, Goltermann is now found throughout Europe and the United States. In the US, the name remains most common in the states of Missouri and Nebraska, where many German immigrants settled in the mid-19th century.
Variations of the surname Goltermann
The surname Goltermann is of German origin. It is derived from the name 'Golt', which was an ancient German word for an official. The variants of this surname are Golterman and Goelterman, while the spelling variants are Goeltermann and Goltterman.
In the German language, the surname Goltermann can also take the form of Golderman, Goldermann, Goldtmann, Goeltzmann, Goldtzman, and Göltzmann. In the Netherlands, the surname is sometimes spelled as Goltzmann or Goldtzman.
Variants of the surname that are found in North America include Goltzmann, Goeltzmann, Golterman, and Goltzman. The surname can also occasionally be found spelt as Gaultzmann.
In some cases, the surname has been changed, probably by immigration officers either mishearing or misreading the name Goltermann. As a result, variants of the surname such as Goltman, Goleman, Goelman, Golemann, Gulterman, and Gultermann have been recorded.
It is also possible that some families of the Goltermann surname may have separated from the main line and adopted a different surname. Surnames such as Goltz, Goltzheimer, and Goltzman have been recorded, as have the Polish surnames Golcman, Goltsman, and Goleman.
Famous people with the name Goltermann
- Günter Goltermann (1919-1978), German art historian.
- Philippe Goltermann (1837-1915), French cellist.
- Heinrich Goltermann (1757-1792), German former royal court organist.
- Henry Goltermann (1866–1916), American painter.
- Carl August Goltermann (1819–1876), German composer and musicologist
- Guillaume Goltermann (1785–1844), German composer, cellist and music theorist.
- Friedrich Goltermann (1812–1883), German musician, composer, and music journalist.
- Jakob Goltermann (1800–1874), German organist, composer, and conductor.
- Malcolm Goltermann (born 1942), American psychiatric professor.
- Ernie Goltermann (born 1925), American football player.