Surname Massmann - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Massmann: What does the surname Massmann mean?
The surname Massmann is a German surname and is derived from the Old High German word 'mazzo' which refers to a 'servant'. The surname is believed to have originated from the Low German word 'Massman', which was initially used to refer to a pastor, or preacher.
Early records of the surname dates back to the 14th century in Germany, and specifically in Mecklenburg, where the first bearers of the name Massmann were recorded. There is evidence of use of this surname in the 16th century in various parts of Germany; such as Werra, Saxony, and many other parts of central Germany. During the 16th century, the name began to gain popularity in the north of Germany and within the regions of Westphalia, Paderborn and Bremen.
By the mid 17th century, Massmann families were recorded in various parts of the Germanic area, with the surname being recorded in various places such as Holland, Denmark and Sweden. This could be attributed to both religious and economic reasons, as many members of this surname could have been forced to flee to other areas in search of better opportunities.
Most people with the surname Massmann still live in Germany, although in recent times, there are people with the surname living in other countries such as the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. For this reason, the surname is considered to be very rare in most countries in which it is found.
Order DNA origin analysisMassmann: Where does the name Massmann come from?
The last name Massmann is mainly found in Germany. It is a somewhat rare name, but records show that it is concentrated in several parts of the country, especially in the Saarland, Thuringia, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Lower Saxony regions. Other records also show that the name is common in several other countries, particularly within Central and Eastern Europe.
In Germany, records suggest that the name originated from an ancient noble family from Thuringia and they were leaders of disbanded knightly orders. They later spread to rural northern Germany, where they took on local German surnames, of which Massmann was one.
According to genetic genealogy studies, the last name Massmann has Germanic roots. It is considered to be one of the oldest names in Germany with an estimated age of over 500 years.
Today, the name Massmann is most common in Germany. However, smaller populations can be found in countries such as Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Croatia. Records suggest that the name is slowly increasing in popularity with the growing global population.
Variations of the surname Massmann
The surname Massmann is of German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) origin, and is derived from the German Maschmann, likely from the Middle High German word "maschman", which is a combination of the words "masche" (net) and "man" (man). The name was likely taken on by someone in an occupation related to fishing, as the term referred to someone who sold or organized the sale of fish caught in a net.
Variant spellings of the surname Massmann include Mashman, Maschman, and Mashman. Surnames which are related in origin and may also be spelled as Massman, Maßman, or Maassman, include Massmann, Masemann, Marsman, Metschmann, Matzmann, Messmacher, Maßmann, Macsman, Matsmann, Mayesman and Masseman.
Depending on the language, Massmann may also be spelled differently. For example, in Italian it is Masman, in French it is Macman, and in Spanish it is Macmann.
Though related, not all of these names are necessarily surnames of the same origin. For example, Macsman could be derived from a nickname flattering to the King, since it would have meant "son of the King". Additionally, Metschmann and Matzmann may in fact come from the personal names "Matz" or "Metsch".
Overall, the Massmann surname is likely derived from the Middle High German word "maschman", which refers to someone involved with fishing. Variants of the surname Massmann include Mashman, Maschman, and Mashman. Additional variations which could be surnames of the same origin include Massman, Maßman, or Maassman, as well as Massmann, Masemann, Marsman, Metschmann, Matzmann, Messmacher, Maßmann, Macsman, Matsmann, Mayesman and Masseman. However, some of these surnames could also be derived from different Germanic or Jewish surnames such as those based on a nickname flattering to the King, or the personal names "Matz" or "Metsch".
Famous people with the name Massmann
- Wendy Massmann: American female film producer who rose to fame with her work on the award-winning "Food, Inc." documentary
- Sven Massmann: German football manager who led the sport's Gelsenkirchen-based club Schalke for two seasons
- Donald Massmann: American pastor and author who was active during the mid-twentieth century
- Vincent Massmann: French entrepreneur who is best known as a venture capitalist
- Walt Massmann: American professional basketball player of the 1930s and 1940s
- Eric Massmann: German politician and member of Christian Democratic Union
- Mary Massmann: American artist and sculptor whose work is on display at the San Diego Museum of Art
- Devon Massmann: American computer scientist and entrepreneur, known for co-founding the software company, Netscape
- Karl Massmann: German physician and inventor who popularized a number of medical practices
- Frederick Massmann: British explorer and author who wrote extensively about his travels to South America and Asia