Show ContentsBermann History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Bermann surname is a habitational name derived from place names such as Parham in Suffolk and Sussex, derived from the Old English words "pere," meaning "pear," and "ham," or "homestead." 1 2

Early Origins of the Bermann family

The surname Bermann was first found in Suffolk, at Parham, a village and civil parish that dates back to at least the Domesday Book where it was listed as Perreham and literally meant "homestead or enclosure where pears grow." 3

Here we found the first record of the family, that of Turmod de Perham who was listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding lands there at that time. Later, William de Perreham was recorded in the Pipe Rolls for Sussex in 1187 and William de Parham was recorded in 1264. Later again, John Parham was recorded in Wiltshire in 1366. 4 The "Sussex Parham was Perham A.D. 959, and also in the 13th century." 1

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 proved the widespread use of the family in the 13th century: Richard de Parham, Cambridgeshire; John de Perham, Sussex; and Nicholas de Perham, Wiltshire. 5 In early Norfolk records, we found Ralph de Parham, Norfolk (no date.) 6

Early History of the Bermann family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Bermann research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1187, 1264, 1366 and 1504 are included under the topic Early Bermann History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Bermann Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Bermann have been found, including Parham, Param, Parram, Perham, Pearham, Perram and others.

Early Notables of the Bermann family

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


United States Bermann migration to the United States +

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Bermann were among those contributors:

Bermann Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Heinrich Bermann, aged 29, who arrived in Missouri in 1840 7
  • Maria Bermann, aged 12, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1879 7
  • August Bermann, aged 47, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1879 7


  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  5. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  6. Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
  7. 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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