Surname Volkmann - Meaning and Origin

Finding 'Me': How an iGENEA DNA Test Transformed My Understanding of the Volkmann Heritage

The journey of self-discovery through an iGENEA DNA test has been both startling and enlightening, as I found out about the noble past of my German ancestors, unsuspected Jewish roots, and extended family members. This revelation has irreversibly impacted my self-understanding and personal identity.

C. Volkmann

Volkmann: What does the surname Volkmann mean?

The surname Volkmann is of German origin and comes from the ancient Germanic words "valk" and "mann", meaning "valkyrie" and "man" respectively. Originally, those who assumed the name were descendants of Odin, the All-Father of Norse mythology, who sustained a special connection to the valkyries, female figures believed to select which warriors would die in battle and choose them to live in the divine afterlife, Valhalla.

The literal meaning of Volkmann is "man belonging to the valkyries". Though this origin speaks to its ancient roots, the surname is also associated with the numerous medieval and modern German families that adopted it. In some cases, the family name will be expressed in its altered form, as Volckmann or Volckman.

Similarly, citizens of the United States that have the surname are usually of German descent, and the last name remains a popular American surname. As such, it is thought that some families who use the surname may have been among the first settler families in the United States who were of German descent.

With its ancient roots and continued tradition, the surname Volkmann lives on, representing a unique connection to the valkyries of Germanic mythology, as well as an enduring presence of German heritage in Europe and across the world.

Volkmann: Where does the name Volkmann come from?

The last name Volkmann is most commonly found living in Germany, where it is the 392nd most popular surname. It is also found in the United States, but is much less common - it is ranked 11,365th in popularity.

The Volkmann variation of this name can be found in many other countries, but usually in very small numbers. For example, in England it is the 19,540th most common surname. In Sweden, the surname ranks in at a lowly 33,770, and in Norway it is the 19,462nd most popular last name.

The origin of the Volkmann last name dates back to the 15th century. It is derived from the German word "Volk," which means "people," and "mann," which means "man." This reflects the original meaning of the surname, which described someone who was a leader of "the people," or a prominent person within their community.

Throughout the centuries, there have been many notable individuals who have held the Volkmann surname, such as 19th century German philosopher Eduard Volkmann, 18th century German histologist Rudolf von Volkmann and Prussian general Arnold Friedrich von Volkmann.

Today, the Volkmann surname is most commonly found living in Germany, where many of its historical roots lay. Though it is less popular in other countries, there are still individuals in other nations around the world who proudly carry this surname.

Variations of the surname Volkmann

The surname Volkmann has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Depending on the country, the surname could be either Volkman, Volkmar, Volkmann, or Folckmann. In the German language, Volkmann is also commonly spelled as Folsum, Folck, or Falkman. The name's origin in German is believed to be derived from the Old German word "falka," which translates to a "king's hawk".

In the early 1200s, the name was first recorded as Volkman, and, later, in the 1400s, the spelling changed to Volckmann. These are thought to be the original spellings of the surname. Today, one can still find the various spellings of the surname in countries such as Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands.

In Sweden, the surname is spelled as Falckman or Folckman. Additionally, the name can (but is not often) be changed to Falkman. Other variations, such as Volkmans and Falkmans, can be found in the Netherlands.

The Volkmann surname is the root of several other surnames of the same origin, such as Folckman, Volkmans, Foulkman, Volkmar, Folckmann, Falkman, Valckman, and Folkman. All of these names are said to be versions of the same name.

Thus, the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Volkmann range from Volkman, Volkmar, Folckman, Folckmann, Falkman, Volkmans, Falkmans, Valckman, and Folkman, among others.

Famous people with the name Volkmann

• Zach Volkmann: An American actor, writer, producer, and director, perhaps best known for his role as Agent Jackson in the 2018 film The Predator.
• Uwe Volkmann: A German Socialist politician and historian who served as the former Minister-President of Brandenburg from 1994 to 2002.
• Günter Volkmann: A German entrepreneur, publisher, journalist and graphic artist.
• Odie Volkmann: An American professional basketball coach, currently the head coach of Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the NBA G League.
• Andreas Volkmann: A German rare book dealer, working on the selection, research and purchase of rare books.
• Johann Heinrich Volkmann: A German anatomist born in Danzig.
• Amandus Augustus Volkmann: A German anatomist born in Danzig.
• Henry Volkmann: An American aviation pioneer and catastrophist who flew the first plane over Santos-Dumont's air field in Paris in 1909.
• K. H. Volkmann: A German teacher, author, and publisher from the 19th century.
• Siegfried Volkmann: A German military officer who was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross for extraordinary achievements during World War II.

Other surnames

Volkmar