Surname Wortman - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'W'
Wortman: What does the surname Wortman mean?
The last name Wortman is of German origin. It is derived from the German word “Wort” which translates to “word”. As such, it suggests that its original bearers were people who worked with or studied words. It could also be derived from the name “Wortmann”, which translates to “word man” and would indicate that its first bearers were teachers or scholars. In the earliest records, the name Wortman was recorded as “Wurtsman” in the 1300s in Germany.
Over the coming centuries, the name Wortman spread to various parts of Europe, including the Netherlands, England, and Austria. The name eventually made its way to America, arriving in the late 1700s. It is known that some German immigrants bearing the name of Wortman settled in Pennsylvania.
At home in Germany, those named Wortman would have primarily been farmers or tradesmen. Later on, some might have gone on to become teachers or scholars. In America, those with the last name Wortman would be likely to be farmers, businessmen, or tradesmen.
Today, Wortman is a fairly common name in the United States, primarily in the Midwest. Beyond its symbolic meaning, the name might be chosen by parents today simply because of its pleasant sound. Regardless of its original meaning, the name Wortman is said to be indicative of a future marked by hard work and determination—traits that its earliest bearers likely possessed.
Order DNA origin analysisWortman: Where does the name Wortman come from?
The last name Wortman is primarily of German and Jewish (Ashkenazic) origin, and is most prevalent in North America. It is estimated that Wortman is the 3,687th most common last name in the United States. It is most common in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York.
In addition to its presence in North America, the last name Wortman is also found throughout Europe, such as in Germany, Hungary, Poland, and Holland. It also appears in the Czech Republic, Yiddish speaking countries such as Belarus and Ukraine, and Israel.
The origin of the last name Wortman is derived from the German word "wort," meaning "word" and "man," meaning "man." This was a nickname for a knowledgeable person or someone with a sharp tongue. It may also be derived from anyone with orichal skills in words, such as a lawyer, speech writer, or poet.
The Wortman name is most closely associated with the cities of Detroit, Michigan; Cincinnati, Ohio; and New York City. The surname is also featured prominently in the histories of the religious communities in the United States. Many Wortman families continue to live in Jewish communities in the United States, and the name has been mentioned in numerous Jewish newspapers and publications.
The Wortman name is said to have originated in Germany, but today, the name is most associated with North America. As one of the oldest and most respected names in the United States, the Wortman name is sure to remain a prominent one for many years to come.
Variations of the surname Wortman
The surname Wortman has a variety of different variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of the most common variants are Wortmann, Wurtman, Wortmanns, Würtman, Wertmann and Wirtman.
The surname Wortman is a German name derived from the Middle High German word “wort” meaning word, or advice and “mann” meaning man or husband. This results in a literal translation of the surname meaning “word man” or “advice man”. It is likely that this surname originally referred to individuals who were wise counselors, reliable in making judgements or wise decisions.
The Wortman surname is also found in the United States of America and the United Kingdom. In the United States, the surname is found as Wurtman, Wortmann, Wirtman and Wirtmann. In the United Kingdom, the surname is slightly differently spelt as Worthington and Wortham. These variants are related to the respective localities in which they are found.
The Wortman surname is also found in some parts of Scandinavia, mainly in Sweden, Finland and Norway. In Sweden, the surname is found as Wirtanen, Värttinä and Värttinen. In Finland the surname is written as Värtinen and is derived from the word “värt” meaning fair. In Norway, the surname is written as Wirtanen and is derived from the word ‘vite’ meaning wit or wisdom.
In conclusion, the surname Wortman has some interesting variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin from across Europe and the USA. The original meaning of the surname as “advice man” implies it has been held by those with wise counsel and reliable judgement.
Famous people with the name Wortman
- Markus Wortman: German-Canadian filmmaker
- Lanny Wortman: American fiddle player
- George Warren Wortman: American politician
- Matthew Wortman: British editor
- Tass Wortman: Australian rugby player
- Steve Wortman: American swimmer
- E.T. Wortman: American cartoonist
- Josef Wortman: German sculptor
- Elaine Wortman: Dutch painter
- Murad Wortman: Iraqi journalist