Surname Ulmen - Meaning and Origin
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Ulmen: What does the surname Ulmen mean?
The last name Ulmen is derived from the German term for alder tree, “Ulme”, and thus signifies an occupational name for a person who tended to alders or collected alder wood. The surname may also be associated with pre-10th century German settlers in the United States who had originally come from the Wuermtal, a valley region in Bavaria.
Historically, the last name Ulmen was an occupational name and was used to indicate people who were responsible for tending to alder trees. Alder trees were valued for their comparatively fast growth-rate and their use as firewood, wood for construction, and other materials.
Surnames that originated from an occupation are referred to as ‘habitational’ names, as they usually indicated the geographic locale that the family derived from, so the name Ulmen was likely associated with the Wuermtal Valley rich in alder trees and various other kinds of trees.
Today, the surname Ulmen is still a popular name across many countries, though it is no longer linked to the occupation of tending alder trees, as the profession is largely defunct. The Ulmen family name is still widely used as a last name in various parts of the world, most notably in German-speaking communities, but also in Central and North America.
Order DNA origin analysisUlmen: Where does the name Ulmen come from?
The last name Ulmen is most commonly found in Germany, particularly in the Rhineland, Bavaria, and Baden-Württemberg regions.
The name is also found in Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. It is reported to have been used by Jewish families who emigrated from Germany and Austria to the US in the 19th century.
It is likely that the name originated various regions in Germany. It is derived from the word ulme, which refers to the elm tree. People given this surname likely had some association with this type of tree.
Today, the Ulmen family can be found all around the world. Through the process of migration, individuals with this family name can be found living in the United States and Canada, as well as in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Ulmen family has a proud history, and individuals whose family bears this surname can be proud to recognize their German roots.
Variations of the surname Ulmen
The surname Ulmen is of German origin. It has variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Common variants and spellings include Uhlmann, Uhlenen, Uhlman, Ulman, Ullman, Uhl, Uelmen and Ullmann.
The surname Ulmen was originally derived from a place-name or personal name, believed to be derived from the Germanic 'Ulla' and means "power house belonging to Ulla". The surname was used by nobility and landed gentry in certain areas of Germany, and was also used by Jewish families.
Other variants of this surname may have been derived from the Middle Low German 'ule' and initially was a nickname for a crafty or shrewd person. Variants of this particular name developed as a form of metonymy, due to the popularity of the original bearer and transferred for use by his family and any followers.
Variants of the surname Ulmen can also be found in other countries, including Dutch, Jewish (Ashkenazic), French, Danish, Swedish and Norwegian. Dutch variants include Uhlman, Uhlmans, Uhlmann, Ulman, Uelman, Uelmans, Ullman, Ullmans and Ullmann. The French form is Ullmann. In Scandinavian countries, the surname is spelled Uhlmann and Ullman. Ullman is the most common variant in Denmark and Sweden, while Uhlman is the most common form in Norway.
The surname remains popular in various forms among different European countries. Variations in spelling occurred due to the lack of standardization in spelling practices prior to the 19th century.
Famous people with the name Ulmen
- Alexander Ulmen: German actor known as Adam Sandler’s best friend and co-star on the movie “Just Go With It”.
- Jennifer Ulmen: German actress and comedian who hosted the children’s TV show “Sesamstraße” for ten years.
- Sebastian Ulmen: German actor and singer. He starred in the TV series “Verbotene Liebe” as Richard von Stein.
- Julius Ulmen: German film director. He has directed several feature films, including “The Woman Who Drinks Water” and “The People’s Judge”
- Helmut Ulmen: German artist, director, and sculptor. He is the creator of several public sculptures in Germany, including “The Woman of Freiburg” and “The Fountain of Life”.
- Heinz Ulmen: German actor and director. He directed the popular TV series “Der Alte” and appeared in several movies, such as “The Boat is Full” and “Der Seewolf”.
- Hermann Ulmen: German author and translator. He is the author of several novels, including “The Rookery”, and has translated the works of Franz Kafka and Heinrich Böll.
- Franz Ulmen: German politician, diplomat, and jurist. He served as the chief adviser to the German government on foreign affairs from 1949 to 1971.
- Ulla Ulmen: German artist. She is best known for her large-scale oil paintings, many of which are on display in museums and galleries across Europe.
- Max Ulmen: German architect. He designed the National Library of Sweden and other notable public and private buildings.