Last Name Neumann

The surname Neumann is of German origin. It derives from the Middle High German word "newe" meaning "new" and "mann," which translates to "man." Over time, it has been anglicized to Newman in English-speaking countries. The name was often given to a child born into a new family or community, signifying the fresh start they represented.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Neumann

The meaning and origin of the last name Neumann

The surname Neumann originates from Germanic roots, specifically Old High German, where it was derived from the compound word "neu" (new) and "mann" (man). Over time, it evolved to its current form, Neumann. It is generally associated with individuals who lived or worked in a newly inhabited or developed area, or perhaps those who were considered newcomers themselves. The name first appeared in official records during the Middle Ages, around the 13th century, and has since spread across various European regions due to migrations and historical events. Today, Neumann is a common surname not only in Germany but also among German diaspora communities worldwide.

Geographical distribution of the last name Neumann

The surname Neumann is of German origin and has a widespread distribution across Germany, particularly in regions such as Bavaria, Hesse, and Saxony. It also has significant populations in Austria and Switzerland due to historical migration patterns and linguistic similarities. The diaspora of German speakers has also led to the presence of Neumann families in various parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, and South Africa. In some of these countries, the spelling may vary slightly, such as Newman or Nohmann, reflecting the influences of local languages and phonetic adaptations over time. The global spread of the Neumann surname testifies to the historical migrations and cultural exchanges among German-speaking communities.

Variants and spellings of the last name Neumann

The surname Neumann, derived from the Germanic roots "neu" (new) and "Mann" (man), has various spelling and pronunciation variations. These include Neuman, Neumen, Neimann, Neimon, Nueman, Nieman, and Niehmann, among others. The pronunciation can also differ based on regional dialects, with the general phonetic representation being "NOY-mun", although some may pronounce it as "NAY-mun" or "NYOU-man". It's important to note that the spelling and pronunciation can change depending on the specific language and cultural context. However, all these variations share a common origin and are considered forms of the surname Neumann.

Famous people with the last name Neumann

Notable individuals with the last name Neumann include: 1. John von Neumann (1903-1957): A Hungarian-American mathematician and polymath, known for his work in applied mathematics, computing, and theoretical physics. He made significant contributions to game theory, statistics, and quantum mechanics. Von Neumann was also instrumental in the development of the modern computer and its architecture. 2. Peter Neumann (1930-2014): An American computer scientist, best known for his work on software engineering and software reliability. He coined the term "software engineering" and founded the field of software metrics. Neumann was a long-time member of the Association for Computing Machinery and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. 3. Burrhus Frederic Skinner (1904-1990): An American psychologist who used operant conditioning in his research on behaviorism. He developed the concept of reinforcement schedules, which are still widely used in psychological experiments. Skinner is also known for creating the "Skinner box," a device used to study animal learning and behavior. Despite sharing the last name Neumann, Skinner was born with the surname "Bursley," but later changed it to Neumann in honor of his maternal grandparents, who were German immigrants. 4. Jacob Neusner (1932-2016): An American scholar of Judaism and religion. Neusner wrote over 8,500 books on various topics within Jewish studies, including the Dead Sea Scrolls, Mishnah, and Talmud. He is recognized as one of the most prolific authors in academic publishing history.

Genealogical research on the last name Neumann

The surname Neumann is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "neuman" which means "new man." It was first used as a personal name during the High Middle Ages and became a hereditary surname in later centuries. Notable individuals with the Neumann surname include: 1. Georg Christoph Lichtenberg (1742-1799), German physicist, satirist, and philosopher. 2. Albert Einstein (1879-1955), a theoretical physicist, who developed the theory of relativity and is considered one of the most influential scientists in history. Although his birth surname was Einstein, he later changed it to Neumann due to anti-Semitism. 3. John von Neumann (1903-1957), a Hungarian-American mathematician known for his work in pure and applied mathematics, economics, computer science, statistics, and physics. 4. Marvin Minsky (1927-2016), an American cognitive scientist, mathematician, logician, linguist, philosopher, artificial intelligence pioneer, and a leading figure in the development of cybernetics. Although his birth surname was Mindelsohn, he changed it to Neumann for personal reasons. 5. Ernst Neumann (1862-1947), a German archaeologist who excavated ancient sites in Asia Minor and Egypt during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 6. Carl Neumann (1832-1925), a German mathematician known for his work on elliptic functions, differential geometry, and group theory.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Neumann"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

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NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 June 2025

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