Tallman
An English surname most likely from a nickname for a tall person, though some sources also treated it as a later alteration of German Thalmann.
The #4,341 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 37,772 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The most straightforward explanation is that Tallman began as an English nickname surname meaning “the tall man,” formed from Middle English tall plus man. That fits the way medieval English often turned physical traits into surnames, alongside names like Smallman or Little. Some older writers also suggested a connection with German Thalmann, but that is usually treated as a later resemblance or possible secondary influence rather than the main origin.
History
The name is recorded in England by the 14th century, with early spellings such as Talman. It later appears in London parish records and became established in the English-speaking world, especially in the United States. A few 19th-century surname writers also compared it with German Thalmann/Talmann, which may have affected some American family lines.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
19th-century surname books explicitly grouped Tallman with other obvious nickname surnames like Smallman and Bigg.
From the historical record
“Fr. tailler.to cut; Lat. talea, a cutting, graft] TALLMAN T (Eng.) Willing or Prompt Man TALMAN J [M.E, tal, willing, obedient : cp. O.E. ge)tal, duick, prompt] Walter Talman.- Soms. Subsidy-Roll, A.D. 1337, Talmadge TAM, a North, form of T(h)om, q.v.”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)