Gummen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

Etymology of Gummen

What does the name Gummen mean?

The Gummen family name first began to be used in the German state of Bavaria. After the 12th century, hereditary surnames were adopted according to fairly general rules, and names that were derived from locations became particularly common. The family name Gummen is a local surname. Originally denoting the proprietorship of an estate or influence within a village, the German preposition von, which means from or of, used with local names, was taken as a mark of aristocracy. The surname Gummen was given to someone who lived in Bavaria, where their name rose to prominence through their involvement in the social and cultural affairs of the area.

Early Origins of the Gummen family

The surname Gummen was first found in Bavaria, where in ancient times the name Gummer came from humble beginnings but gained a significant reputation for its contribution to the region's feudal society. It later became more prominent as many branches of the household acquired distant estates which in turn elevated their social status.

Early History of the Gummen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gummen research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the year 1688 is included under the topic Early Gummen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gummen 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 Gummen include Gummer, Gumer, Gumme, Gumm, Gum, Guma, Gumma, Gummers, Gumers, Gumen, Guemel, Gummere, Gummen, Gummel, Gummle, Gumere, Gumen, Gumel, Gumle, Gummaer, Gumaer, Guemmer, Gommer, Guemer, Gomer, Guemmere, Guemmen, Guemmel, Gommere, Gommen, Gomere, Gomen, Guemel and many more.

Early Notables of the Gummen family

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

Migration of the Gummen family

The great European flow of migration to North America, which began in the middle of the 17th century and continued into the 20th century, was particularly attractive to those from Bavaria who wished to escape either poverty or religious persecution. For many Bavarian tenant farmers, the chance to own their own land was a major incentive. So the widespread colonization of the United States began in 1650, when many immigrants from Germany settled in pockets in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. In Canada, German settlement centered in Ontario and the prairie provinces. Among those of this surname listed in various historical records were: Georg Gumer and Thomas Gumer both of whom were recorded as having arrived in Virginia in 1642; Peter Gumaer settled in Maryland in 1685; Louis Guemel arrived in Louisiana in 1719.