Surname Rutman - Meaning and Origin
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Rutman: What does the surname Rutman mean?
Rutman is a surname of English or Jewish (Ashkenazic) origin. The English origins of Rutman could be a habitational name from Rutland, a county in the East Midlands of England. The name Rutland itself is derived from "Roteland," which means "land of the root or clearing."
In its Jewish Ashkenazic origins, the surname Rutman is a patronymic form of the personal name "Ruth," a popular female first name of biblical origin. The "-man" ending suggests that the person is a son or descendant of someone named Ruth.
Overall, the exact meaning of the surname can depend on an individual's family history and lineage. Like many surnames, its meaning or connotations may not be clearly defined, especially considering the diverse cultural backgrounds from where the name originated.
Order DNA origin analysisRutman: Where does the name Rutman come from?
The last name Rutman is most commonly associated with Jewish families. It is believed to be a variation of Rothenberg, which is a city in Germany that was founded in the 13th century by German Jewish settlers. Rutman is a very common surname in the United States today, and can be found in abundance in many areas. It is particularly heavily concentrated in New York City and certain cities in New Jersey such as Bayonne, Newark, and Jersey City. Another prominent area with many Rutman residents is the Chicago metropolitan area.
Though Rutman is most strongly associated with German-Jewish families, the surname is also used by some families who have originated elsewhere, including those from Poland, Ukraine, and other Eastern European countries. There is evidence that Rutman is a popular surname in Belarus as well.
People with the Rutman surname can be found living in other countries across the globe. Besides the US and Belarus, the surname is also found in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, and throughout Israel.
Given how common it is in many areas, the Rutman surname has likely been adopted by families with different ethnic backgrounds over the years. Despite this, the name still provides a strong connection with its original German Jewish roots.
Variations of the surname Rutman
The surname Rutman is an Ashkenazi Jewish surname believed to originate from Germany. It can be spelled in many ways, including Ruttman, Rutman, Ruttmann, Rutmann, Ruttenbaum, Ruttinbaum, Ruttinman, Rittenbaum, and Rittenman.
Rutman and variants are derived from the German word "rutenbaum," which means "rod or branch including the twigs," suggesting a family of treecutters. It can indicate either that the ancestors of this family were already making a living from trees or merely that they had derived their surname from the herbaceous or woody plant name.
The surname Rutman is relatively rare, especially outside of Jewish populations. It is one of the many surnames associated with German Jewish ancestry. Rutman is found primarily in Israel, Germany, Russia, United States, and Canada.
In addition, many Jewish families have adopted other names, either to fit into the local culture or to distance themselves from their Jewish identity. Some of these variations include Rembaum, Rettenbaum, Rotman, Raubman, Rotemann, Rettenbacher, Ratzmann, Ruben, Rubinstein, Rubner, Rutzan, and Rahrman.
While Rutman is not a particularly common last name outside of Jewish populations, its variants are much more widespread. Because of the diversity of name spellings and the many variations, anyone researching this surname should not overlook any variant spellings. Searching all of them may help to uncover the history of the family beyond its origins.
Famous people with the name Rutman
- Larry Rutman: British producer, director, and photographer associated with Border Television in Cumbria, England.
- Handler Rutman: an American historian and author who specializes in the colonial and revolutionary history of the United States.
- Stephen Rutman: an American economic historian and author of The American Revolution and Economic Change: State and Society in New York, 1760–1830.
- Michael Rutman: an American radiologist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist known for his contributions to radiology.
- Bob Rutman: a musician and sculptor who is best known for his work with steel and his experimental music.
- Fred Rutman: an American composer, arranger, and educator noted for his music for jazz orchestra.
- Galina Rutman: a Russian-American pianist and professor.
- Miriam Rutman: an American playwright, director, documentary film producer, and educator.
- Alan Rutman: a visual effects supervisor known for his work on films like Troy and The Matrix Reloaded.
- Dave Rutman: an American singer, songwriter, and former front man for alternative rock band Nine Days.