Neuman
A surname meaning “new man,” originally used for a newcomer or immigrant to a place.
The #3,957 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 34,374 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Neuman is a spelling variant of Newman, ultimately built from words meaning “new” plus “man.” In medieval records it could describe a recent settler, a newcomer, or someone newly established in a community. The form also appears beside related continental spellings such as German Neumann and Dutch Nieuweman.
History
The surname is well attested in medieval English records, where forms like le Neuman appear in the 13th and 14th centuries. Historical writers note that Neuman and related spellings were especially found in eastern English counties such as Norfolk and Essex, though the name also spread elsewhere. Later bearers often standardized the spelling to Newman, but Neuman survived as a distinct variant.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
In medieval England, “new man” surnames often started as labels for people who had recently moved into a village or town.
From the historical record
“Newman. G. Neumann ; Dch. Nie- man, Numan ; S., D. Nyman ; p.n. le Neuman in 1327. STewnes. A loc. n., Salop Mewnham. A loc. n., Glost., Hants, Northants., Salop, Warw., Worcest.”
— British Family Names: their origin and meaning (2nd ed.)