Show ContentsAppleman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The distinguished surname Appleman is derived from the Middle English "appel," meaning "apple." The name may have been originally borne by a grower or seller of apples, or by someone living near an apple tree. Alternatively, the name may have been first bestowed as a nickname on someone with bright red cheeks.

Early Origins of the Appleman family

The surname Appleman was first found in various counties and shires during the reign of King Edward III, between 1327 and 1377. The first known bearer of the name was Nicholas Appelman, who was listed in the Close Rolls (1204-1227)

Early History of the Appleman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Appleman research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Appleman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Appleman Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Appleman are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Appleman include Apple, Appel, Appleman, Appelman and others.

Early Notables of the Appleman family

More information is included under the topic Early Appleman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Appleman migration to the United States +

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Appleman, or a variant listed above:

Appleman Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Philip Appleman, who landed in Maryland in 1755 1
  • John Appleman, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1761 1

Contemporary Notables of the name Appleman (post 1700) +

  • Milo Dan Appleman (b. 1909), American bacteriologist
  • Mickey Appleman, American professional poker player
  • Hale Isaac Appleman (b. 1986), American actor
  • Philip Appleman (b. 1926), American poet


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


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