WEISSMAN Origin of surname
WEISSMAN
Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name.
Weissman is a variant of the German Weissmann, which means "white man".
As a family name derived from a personal nickname it referred to persons with white hair, beard or skin.
As a family name, it could also be a toponymic (derived from a geographic name of a town, city, region or country). Surnames that are based on place names do not always testify to direct origin from that place, but may indicate an indirect relation between the name-bearer or his ancestors and the place, such as birth place, temporary residence, trade, or family-relatives.
As a family name, it could also have associations with towns and cities in central and east European countries, among them Weissenburg/Wissembourg in Alsace, eastern France; Weisweil in Baden, Germany; Stuhlweissenburg/Szekesfehervar in west central Hungary; and Weissenburg/Alba Iulia in Transylvania, central Romania.
Some variants, like Weissbecker (literally "white baker" in German), are names deriving from certain trades and occupations.
Weiss is recorded as a Jewish family name in 1197 in Wuerzburg, Germany, with Samuel Weiss, also known as Albus. Weisswasser is documented in 1678; Weissweiler in 1687; Weisskopf in 1690; Weisweiler in 1700; Weisel and Weiselitz in 1711; Weissweiller in 1743; Weissburg in the 18th century; Weis and Weissenburger in 1808; Weiskopf in 1891; and Waiskof in 1954.
Distinguished bearers of the Jewish family name Weissman include the German-born American jurist Fred S. Weissman (1888-1968), co-founder and Secretary General of 'Self-Help', and the 20th century American business executive George Weissman. In the 20th century Weissmanis recorded as a Jewish family name with the Weissman family, who lived in the town of Zhadova (Jadova) near Chernowitz, northern Bukovina (now Ukraine), prior to World War II (1939-1945), and whose entire Jewish community was deported to the death camps in July 1941.
Surnames derive from one of many different origins. Sometimes there may be more than one explanation for the same name.
Weissman is a variant of the German Weissmann, which means "white man".
As a family name derived from a personal nickname it referred to persons with white hair, beard or skin.
As a family name, it could also be a toponymic (derived from a geographic name of a town, city, region or country). Surnames that are based on place names do not always testify to direct origin from that place, but may indicate an indirect relation between the name-bearer or his ancestors and the place, such as birth place, temporary residence, trade, or family-relatives.
As a family name, it could also have associations with towns and cities in central and east European countries, among them Weissenburg/Wissembourg in Alsace, eastern France; Weisweil in Baden, Germany; Stuhlweissenburg/Szekesfehervar in west central Hungary; and Weissenburg/Alba Iulia in Transylvania, central Romania.
Some variants, like Weissbecker (literally "white baker" in German), are names deriving from certain trades and occupations.
Weiss is recorded as a Jewish family name in 1197 in Wuerzburg, Germany, with Samuel Weiss, also known as Albus. Weisswasser is documented in 1678; Weissweiler in 1687; Weisskopf in 1690; Weisweiler in 1700; Weisel and Weiselitz in 1711; Weissweiller in 1743; Weissburg in the 18th century; Weis and Weissenburger in 1808; Weiskopf in 1891; and Waiskof in 1954.
Distinguished bearers of the Jewish family name Weissman include the German-born American jurist Fred S. Weissman (1888-1968), co-founder and Secretary General of 'Self-Help', and the 20th century American business executive George Weissman. In the 20th century Weissmanis recorded as a Jewish family name with the Weissman family, who lived in the town of Zhadova (Jadova) near Chernowitz, northern Bukovina (now Ukraine), prior to World War II (1939-1945), and whose entire Jewish community was deported to the death camps in July 1941.