Show ContentsUlman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Similar to many Austrian family names, the distinguished surname Ulman is a proud sign of a rich and ancient ancestry. The earliest forms of hereditary surnames in Austria were the patronymic surnames, which are derived from the father's given name, and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the mother's given name. The patronyms were derived from a variety of given names that were of many different origins. The surname Ulman is derived from the Germanic given name Ullrich, which is composed of the elements odal meaning prosperity or fortune, and ric, meaning power.

Early Origins of the Ulman family

The surname Ulman was first found in Austria, where this family name became a prominent contributor to the development of the district from ancient times. Always prominent in social affairs, the name became an integral part of that turbulent region as it emerged to form alliances with other families within the Feudal System and the nation. Chronicles first mention one Ulmann of Glatz in 1372.

Early History of the Ulman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ulman research. Another 79 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1372 and 1880 are included under the topic Early Ulman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ulman Spelling Variations

In the medieval era, many different cultural groups lived in the German states. There are thus many regional variations of German surnames from that era. Westphalians spoke Low German, which is similar to modern Dutch. Many German names carry suffixes that identify where they came from. Others have phrases attached that identify something about the original bearer. Other variations in German names resulted from the fact that medieval scribes worked without the aid of any spelling rules. The spelling variations of the name Ulman include Ullmann, Ullman, Ulman, Ulmann, Uhlmann, Uhlman and others.

Early Notables of the Ulman family

During this period prominent bearers of the name Ulman were

  • Ulmann of Glatz (around 1372), who was the first recorded member of this family and the possible progenitor of the more prominent branches of the family


United States Ulman migration to the United States +

Austria was made a republic after the First World War. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was broken up by the Treaty of Versailles and many of its people found themselves in the new nation of Czechoslovakia. Many other Austrians and expatriate Austrians made their way to North America in the 20th century. Most landed in Philadelphia, later continuing on to the states of Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, New York, and Maryland. Some Austrian settlers also went to western Canada and Ontario. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Ulman or a variant listed above:

Ulman Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Ulman who settled in South Carolina in 1756
Ulman Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Isaac James Ulman, who arrived in New York in 1824 1
  • Peter Ulman went to Ohio in 1833
  • J Ulman, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 1
  • Ludwig Ulman, who settled in Philadelphia in 1853
  • Gabriel Ulman, who settled in Philadelphia in 1854

Canada Ulman migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Ulman Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Francis Ulman U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Ulman (post 1700) +

  • Bernard "Bernie" Ulman (d. 1986), American NFL football official, officiated at Super Bowl I and Super Bowl IX
  • Roman W. Ulman, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Arizona, 2008 3
  • Roman W. Ulman, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan, 1980 3
  • Ken Ulman, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Maryland, 2008 3
  • H. Charles Ulman, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from New York 14th District, 1892 3
  • Kamil Ulman (b. 1983), Polish footballer


  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)
  2. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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