Surname Lemmen - Meaning and Origin
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Lemmen: What does the surname Lemmen mean?
The last name Lemmen is of Dutch origin and is a very old name. The word lemme comes from the Low Germanic word meaning "limit, boundary, border". This could point to an ancient profession such as a border guard or surveyor or perhaps simply someone who lived close to a natural or man-made boundary. In Dutch, the name is thought to be an occupational surname given to makers of woolen clothing and cloths, derived from the Low Germanic word for "to make", lemme.
The name Lemmen is still fairly common in the Netherlands with some residents bearing the name in the United States and Canada too. People with the surname Lemmen have spent generations in the Netherlands and have spread throughout the world, taking the name with them to other countries.
With all its countries and cultures, the Netherlands is certainly an interesting place to trace the origin of the Lemmen name. Whether its rooted in occupational endeavors or simply geographic circumstances, Lemmen has strong Dutch roots that remain linked to its origin to this day.
Order DNA origin analysisLemmen: Where does the name Lemmen come from?
The last name Lemmen is relatively uncommon throughout Europe and North America, however, it can be found primarily in certain countries, particularly in the Netherlands and Belgium. In the Netherlands, Lemmen is the 77th most common last name, with an estimated 13,499 people bearing that surname. In Belgium, the surname Lemmen ranks as the 67th most common last name, with approximately 7,230 individuals having the Lemmen surname. Other countries with a significant number of Lemmen individuals include the United Kingdom with 1,183 people, Germany with 1,073 people, the United States with 744 people, Austria with 401 people, France with 355 people, and Canada with 287 people. Additionally, the surname Lemmen is found in smaller numbers in countries such as Australia, Sweden, and Brazil. Of all the people who have the Lemmen surname, the majority are of Dutch or Belgian descent, however, the last name is also found among individuals of various other backgrounds, such as German, French, and even African.
Variations of the surname Lemmen
Lemmen is a surname of Dutch origin. Variations and spellings include Leman, Lemmens, Lemmink, Lemminkx and Lemmenes. Leman is generally the most common variation of the surname, while Lemmink is least common. It is possible that the variation of Lemmink was derived from Lemmen since both are Dutch surnames and have the same origin.
The surname Lemmen is derived from the Dutch word lumen, meaning "gentle, mild, and courteous." This word is commonly used as an adjective, and is thought to be derived from the Middle Dutch lumen, meaning the same thing. It is likely that the surname was given to someone who was gentle and courteous.
The variations Leman, Lemmens, Lemmink, Lemminkx, and Lemmenes are all names of Dutch origin, and each have their own spelling and pronunciation depending on the region of origin. Some regions commonly use one spelling over the other. For example, the spelling Lemmens is most commonly used in the Netherlands, while the spelling Leman is most commonly used in Belgium.
Each variation of the name Lemmen is found in the records of Dutch nobility. An example of this is the Dutch noble family of Lemmens, who trace their paternal line back to the 14th century.
In general, the surname Lemmen and its variants are quite rare, and there do not seem to be any large communities of individuals with the surname. It is generally thought that those who bear the name Lemmen or its variants are likely descendants of the same family from the Middle Ages.
Famous people with the name Lemmen
- Hugo Lemmen (1885-1954): Belgian Artist, known for founding the Lemmen school, a significant expressionist art school which produced many important pieces.
- Harry Lemmen (1917-2001): Dutch painter trained at the Lemmenschool during the 1930s and 40s. He contributed to the modernistic abstract style of the school and later developed his own recognizable style.
- Hilde Lemmen-Tolboom (1914-1998): Belgian artist and daughter of Hugo Lemmen. She specialized in portraiture and religious art and took part in numerous exhibitions throughout her life.
- Margaretha van de Lemmen (1917-2003): Dutch-Belgian artist, one of the only female members of the Lemmenschool who was very active in the abstract expressionist art movement of the time.
- Jacobus Josephus Lemmen (1881-1968): Dutch painter, part of the Lemmenschool, known for creating break away paintings that fused Cubism with Expressionism and pushed the boundaries of modern painting.
- Karel Lemmen (1904-1996): Belgian Expressionist artist from the Lemmenschool. He was active towards the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the 20th, and his works evoked emotion and inner feeling.
- Jan Lemmen (1878-1922): Belgian artist and teacher from the Lemmenschool. Known for his portraits and still-lifes and his impressionistic style.
- Arnout Lemmen (1921-1999): Dutch painter who created surrealist works and belonged to the Amsterdam Five, a group of Expressionist artists that included his brother Harry.
- Richard Lemmen (1883-1951): Belgian sculptor, part of the Lemmenschool, and trained under his father, Hugo. He mainly created expressionist portraits, abstract figures and inspired architectural works.