Surname Perreman - Meaning and Origin

Perreman: What does the surname Perreman mean?

The surname Perreman does not appear to carry a specific meaning, as it's rather rare and its origins are not easily traceable. Given the complexity and wide variance in surname origins, it might be a variant of another surname, a derivational surname based on a location, occupation, characteristic, or the name of an ancestor. Unlike most well-known European surnames, Perreman does not lend itself to an obvious etymology using common prefixes or suffixes.

One possibility is that it could be derived from the Dutch or Flemish surname Perriman or Pereman, which could mean "pear man" and might have been given to someone who sold or harvested pears. But without further genealogical research, it's impossible to definitively ascertain the exact lineage or meaning of the surname Perreman. In many cases, rare or lesser-known surnames require extensive research to trace their origin and if there's a significant meaning attached to it. It's advised to seek professional help or rely on comprehensive family history records to understand more about such surnames.

Perreman: Where does the name Perreman come from?

The last name Perreman is not an especially common surname, though it is found in several countries around the world. Within the United States, Perreman is most commonly associated with people of French descent who settled among the various states along the Eastern Seaboard. Two small clusters of Perremans appear along the border between Nebraska and Iowa, which is likely a result of large-scale immigration from France to the Central United States during the 19th century.

Outside the United States, Perreman's roots in France are more evident, as it is most predominantly found in the northern region of the country, as well as in Belgium and the Netherlands. The largest concentration of the name can be found in the Pas-de-Calais region of France, where it is relatively common. Other European countries also have small pockets of Perremans, including Austria, Finland, and Denmark.

Perreman is also a common last name in South America, especially in Brazil, which can be largely attributed to the influx of thousands of French immigrants to the country during the mid to late 19th century. Many Perremans have also been found in Mexico, thought to be the result of further French resettlement in the region during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Overall, the Perreman surname is not especially widespread but does have a presence in many countries across the globe, particularly those with a French heritage.

Variations of the surname Perreman

The surname Perreman (also found spelled as Perremans, Peremans, and Peremans) is a name of Belgian origin. It was a toponymic surname used to describe a person who came from a place called Perremans or Pereman situated near Geraardsbergen in the province of East Flanders.

The name Perreman is derived from the Low German phrase per ('among') and man ('people') and the root word 'man' also appears in the variants of the surname. The Perreman family was first mentioned in historical documents in the 11th century in East Flanders.

The variants and spellings of the surname Perreman include Perreman, Perremans, Peremans, and Peremans. Although they share the same origin, the variants all developed independent branches throughout the generations. For example, the last name Peremans is derived from the root word 'man' and was specifically used to describe inhabitants of Perremans in the 19th century, while the surname Perreman developed in the South of Belgium.

The surname also appeared in other forms and different spellings. For example, the name Perremand was used to describe people living in East Flanders who had a particular trade, the name Manpertereman described someone who came from the region of Lentz in Flanders, and the name Manperteren described those from Lentz who had the trade of a steward.

The variations and spellings of Perreman have spread across Europe and beyond over the centuries, but the surname remains most prominent in Belgium.

Famous people with the name Perreman

• Michael Perreman: Belgian bobsledder who competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics.
• Stan Lee Perreman: Argentine actor, producer, and theater director.
• Gerard Perreman: Belgian actor better known as 'Gérard Janssens'.
• Guy Perreman: French jazz musician and composer.
• Jean Perreman: Belgian sprint canoer who competed in the early 1930s.
• Varina Perreman: South African sport shooter who represented her nation at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
• Piet Perreman: Dutch football player and manager who coached in the Netherlands, Belgium, and China.
• Morris Perreman: British comedian who performed in the early 1960s.
• Jacques Perreman: Belgian football player in the 1920s.
• Ward Perreman: American professional basketball player in the National Basketball League.

Other surnames

Perremon