Surname Härms - Meaning and Origin

Shifting Sands of Identity: An iGENEA DNA Journey of Unearthing the Härms Heritage

Unexpected twists in life often serve as gateways to uncharted territories. The results from my iGENEA DNA test led to an identity roller-coaster, placing the roots of my surname, Härms, in Eastern Europe, completely upturning my sense of family identity and our previously held beliefs of our heritage.

L. Härms

Härms: What does the surname Härms mean?

The surname Härms is of German origin. It is derived from middle-high German words ‘herm’ or ‘heerme’ which describe a type of boundary marker used to divide fields or land from one another. These markers were typically made of stones or wooden poles that were set into the ground and were commonly known as "Herm Bars" or "Herms". In some cases, the herms were carved with images or decorations, which may be why Härms was occasionally used as a nickname for someone who was crafty or skilled in construction and building.

The surname Härms might also come from the Old German personal name 'Hermann', which was derived from the Old High German elements 'hariman' or 'heriman' meaning ‘army man’ or ‘soldier’. As such, the surname Härms may have originally been used to denote someone who was a member of the military or a warrior.

The surname Härms is more common in German-speaking countries, although there are some instances of it being seen in other parts of the world. It is also spelled in a variety of ways, such as Harms, Härmes, Herms, Hermsen, and Harman. Today, the surname is primarily associated with people of Germanic descent.

Härms: Where does the name Härms come from?

The last name Härms is common primarily in Germany and Finland. This is due to the Germanic roots of the name, which likely originated from the region near Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. Records of the name in Finland date back to the late 16th century, when Finnish people who had settled in the area began to adopt German surnames.

In modern-day Germany, the surname is most commonly found in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, near the German-Danish border. It is also more commonly found around Berlin and in Bavaria, although it is also present in many other parts of Germany as well. In Finland, the name is most common in the south, particularly the region of South Karelia, near the border with Russia.

Although Härms is originally a Germanic name, it has also spread to other parts of the world. Today, there are members of the Härms family in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries. This is likely due primarily to emigration, as many people from Europe (Germany and Finland included) moved overseas in search of new opportunities in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Today, the last name Härms is spread across multiple countries around the world, but is most common in Germany and Finland. This is likely because of the Germanic roots of the name in both countries, but also because of the migratory patterns of those with the surname.

Variations of the surname Härms

The surname Härms is a German name, originating from the Low German word ‘hermes,’ which means ‘colonel.’ It is thought to have been taken up by a relatively small number of families.

Variants of the surname Härms include the German names Hähms, Häems, Höms, Harms and Hermse. It can also be found with various other spellings such as Herms, Herme, Harme, Hehrmes and Hörmes.

In other parts of the world, various alternate spelling variations for the surname have become more popular, such as Haarms, Haerms, Harms, Harrmss and Helms, while Harmse and Hermase are also seen. It can also be found as Herm, Hermsen or Harmsen.

The surname can also be found as a modern alternative surname, such as Hermans, Hermanns, Herrmss, Harmssen, Hermssen and Hearmes.

In England, variations of the surname can be found, such as Haarme, Haerme, Harmes and Harmse. The spellings Harmshey, Hems and Hemse are also recorded. In Ireland, the variations of Harm and Harms can be found.

In the United States, Haarms, Hayrms, Harms and Hehrms are commonly found. Additionally, Harim and Herim are seen.

Overall, the surname Härms has various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin that unfurl throughout many countries and regions.

Famous people with the name Härms

• Anna Härms, a Swedish stage and film actress.
• Arvi Härms, a Finnish theatre professor at the University of Helsinki.
• Aarne Härms, a Finnish artist and sculptor.
• Andreas Härms, a Swedish artist and filmmaker.
• Emil Härms, a Finnish poet and professor of literature.
• Erik Hägräs, a Finnish conductor and composer.
• Eero Härms, a Finnish truck driver and singer.
• G. J. Härms, a Swedish stage actor in the late 19th century.
• Laura Härms, a Finnish singer and songwriter.
• Mila Härms, a Finnish ice hockey player.
• Martin Härms, a Finnish cross-country skier.
• Mauno Härms, a Finnish composer and conductor.
• Tuuli Härms, a Finnish opera singer and vocal coach.
• Vilhelm Härms, a Finnish socialist politician.
• Juan Härms, a Spanish painter and sculptor.
• Gray Härms, a Swedish race car driver.
• Eric Härms, a Finnish contemporary painter.
• Samuel Härms, a Swedish photographer and filmmaker.
• Jenna Härms, a Finnish figure skater.
• Olivia Härms, a Swedish contemporary artist.

Other surnames

HarmsenHarmssenHarmstrangHarmstrong