Origin of the Dohmann Surname

[Dohmann Home Page] [Previous History Page] [Next History Page]

The German version of this website is presently off-line while we rebuild the site.

The information on this page was extracted from the 1991 book, "Beitrage zur Geschichte der Familie Dohmann" written by Richard Dohmann (1908-1995). Richard Dohmann was a school director in Beverungen, Germany and has probably done the most extensive research of the early Dohmann of any family researcher.

The surnames Dohmann and Domann are mentioned in the book, "Class, Geography, and Language Origins of German Surnames" by Dr. Paul Cascorbi, published by Waisenhauses GmbH, Halle/S. Berlin, 1933. In this book, the surname Dohmann is first mentioned on page 481 under the index of "Thomas". The second occurrence is under the index of "Domas" on pages 171 and 172. It is not clear how the present spelling of Dohmann was derived from the original name of Thomas (meaning "the twin").

In order to understand this derivation, we must consider other factors. It appears to be irrelevant whether the name is spelled with or without an "h". Originally it was written without an "h" while today it is spelled both ways. We find the name spelled Domann in Ottbergen and also for many years in Amelunxen (although there are no Dohmann's living there today). The first entry found in the extensive parish records in Ottbergen is of the wedding of Johann Heinrich Dohmann in 1784.

In family papers prepared during the Thirty Years War (1618-1648) we see that the "h" is sometimes used rather arbitrarily. For example, one document dated November 1, 1674 has the name written both with and without the "h". So, how did the early name carriers write their name? In early tenure letters it is written as follows: "Heinrich Domans" in 1682, "Doman" in 1715, and "Joachim Doman" in 1740. In 1764 we find for the first time, "Johan Herm Dohman" and in 1784, "Carl Anton Dohman".

The Overseer of Ottbergen wrote his name as Henrich Doman in 1761 in the minutes of the city council and as Hein. Domann on November 17, 1784 (in taking an oath on behalf of Carl Anton Doman because we was too old and sickly to do it himself). In the parish records in Borgholz, almost every entry spells the name with an "h" except one marriage record for Joes Ludovicus Doman, born on April 16, 1789.

The present day spelling of Dohmann with an "h" and with a double "n" has been common since the recording of Lorenz Dohmann in the parish records at Borgentreich on February 1, 1817. However we also have other examples of this Lorenz's signature. In the tenth tenure letter on July 19, 1838 it is written as Lorenz Dohman and his name is also written in this manner in the parish records in Borgholz where his birthdate is recorded as October 8, 1791.

This site is http://www.dohmann.com/history/history3.html
Send inquiries, comments, or suggestions to .