Surname Ailman - Meaning and Origin
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Ailman: What does the surname Ailman mean?
Ailman is a surname of English origin, derived from the Old English pre-seventh century word "ealmen", which meant "elder tree man". It is believed that the surname was initially given to someone who lived near an elder tree.
An elder tree was an important symbol in medieval England and many superstitions and customs surrounded it, including the belief that it could bring good luck and ward off diseases and witchery. It was also a popular choice for protection against lightning and other disasters.
The earliest recorded instance of the Ailman surname is of William Ailman in the Domesday Book of 1086. The first recorded spelling of the surname was in 1379 when William Aylman was recorded in the Close Rolls of Wiltshire.
The modern form of the name Ailman is one of the few that have remained virtually unchanged in spelling since its first recording in the late 11th century. With records of the surname in England since medieval times, the Ailman name is sure to have a lengthy history. Since then, the surname has spread across Europe and beyond with persons of the name recorded in the United States, Canada, Spain, France and Germany.
Today, the Ailman family name serves as an example of resilience and determination in the face of a changing world. This proud family name continues to be associated with its original source, the ancient elder tree.
Order DNA origin analysisAilman: Where does the name Ailman come from?
The last name Ailman is most commonly found in the United States today. According to the US Census Bureau, Ailman is the 3,653rd most common surname with an estimated 4,820 Americans carrying the name. The surname Ailman also appears in many other countries such as United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and Germany.
In the United States, the Ailman name is particularly concentrated in the Midwest states. The largest concentrations can be found in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, while smaller numbers can be found throughout the other states.
In the United Kingdom, the Ailman name is most frequently encountered in England but also appears in other regions, including Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Similarly, the most common regions for this surname in Canada are Ontario and British Columbia. In Australia, the largest numbers of the Ailman name can be found in New South Wales, Tasmania, and Victoria.
The origin of the Ailman name is not known for certain but it is likely derived from the German root Alimann, which can be translated to mean "a valued friend." It is also believed that Ailman is a variant of the surname Alman, which has a similar meaning referring to a skilled negotiator or spoken advocate.
Variations of the surname Ailman
The surname Ailman is of Anglo-Saxon, Irish, and Swedish origins. Anglo-Saxon variants of the name include Aylman, Aylmer, and Allman, while Irish variants are Ailm, Aylmayr and Aylward. Swedish forms of Ailman include Almquist, Almdahl, Almlid, Alldin, and Almelund.
The great majority of Ailman descendants received their surnames during the Norman Conquest of 1066. Anglo-Saxon variants derived from "eala", meaning a foreigner or a wanderer, while Irish versions draw influence from the Gaelic word "ail", which can mean humanity or people. The Swedish versions either describe a person from the town of Almare or a person who lived near a small body of water.
In colonial America, the surname Ailman sometimes replaced its Anglo-Saxon variant Aylmer. This was particularly common in the New England region, particularly in modern-day Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Other variants such as Elmer, Ellmer, and Allman were also used in colonial America.
The name Ailman is still found in many parts of the English-speaking world, although it is not a particularly common surname. Its variants are more prevalent, particularly Aylward and Allman in parts of Ireland, England, Scotland, Canada, and Australia. Almquist, Almdahl, Almlid, Alldin, and Almelund are more common in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries.
Famous people with the name Ailman
- Lakshmi Mittal Ailman: An entrepreneur and leading steel magnate in India.
- Christine Ailman: A marine biologist and research associate at the Santa Barbara Marine Mammal Center.
- Keith Ailman: Former Chief Strategy Officer for Twitter.
- Chris Ailman: Chief Investment Officer of CalSTRS, the world’s largest educator-only pension fund.
- Winona Woods Ailman: Business consultant and dragonboat racer.
- Mat Ailman: Chief Creative Officer at Creative Solutions (a division of SYNNEX Corporation).
- Clayton Ailman: Founder and Managing Partner of the venture capital firm Ailman Capital.
- Mark Ailman: Motivational speaker and best-selling author.
- Frank Ailman: Former Vice President of Marketing at Outdoor Retailer.
- Christy L. Ailman: Genomic scientist and entrepreneur.