ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 1035
http://www.s-gabriel.org/1035
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From: 
29 Jun 1998


Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel!

You wrote to us asking about the origin and use of the Germanic name
<Wolmar> and the origin and nationality of the byname <Spielman>.

The name <Wolmar> is indeed Germanic.  We found many examples of that name
in various forms, as well as a few names likely related.  It appears to be
a good continental West Germanic name that was used from at at least
around 900 to some time after 1300, in some form:

  <Wulfmer>   [1] Old Saxon
  <Uulmarus>  [2] France      919
  <Wlmarus>   [2] France
  <Volmarus>  [2] France      926
  <Wolmar(s)> [3] N. Germany
  <Wolfmar>   [3] Germany     1220
  <Wolmer>    [4] Germany     1278
  <Folmarus>  [5] Germany     1135
  <Volmarus>  [5] Germany     1145-1300
  <Volmar>    [5] Germany     1189-1297

The form <Spielmann> is almost certainly German, originating as a name for
a village entertainer, a jester or juggler; <spiel> is German for "play,
perform". We found a <Wilh. dictus Spilman> in Germany in 1200 [3].  We
also found an Old English <Goduine filius Spilemanni> c.1095 [4].  In this
case, the Old English occupational term <spilemann>, with the same meaning as
its German cognate, has apparently become an actual given name.  That is,
<Goduine> had a father named <Spilemann>.

>From this evidence, we conclude that <Wolmar Spilman> would be a fine 13th
century German name. 

We hope this has been helpful, and that we can continue to assist you.
Talan Gwynek, Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn, and Arval Benicoeur 
contributed to this letter.

In service,
--Walraven van Nijmegen
Academy of S. Gabriel

[1] Gunter Mu:ller, _Studien zu den Theriophoren Personennamen der
    Germanen_ (Ko:ln, Bo:hlau Verlag, 1970)  p.7

[2] Marie-Therese Morlet, _Les Noms de Personne sur le Territoire de
    l'Ancienne Gaule du VIe au XIIe Siecle_ (Paris: Centre National de la
    Recherche Scientifique, 1972)  Vol.I, p.230b 

[3] Josef Karlmann Brechenmacher, _Etymologisches Worterbuch der Deutschen 
    Familiennamen_ (Limburg: C.A. Stark-Verlag, 1957-1960)

[4] Hans Bahlow, _Mittelhochdeutsches Namenbuch nach Schlesichen Quellen_
    (Neustadt: Degener, 1975)

[5] Adolf Socin, _Mittelhochdeutsches Namenbuch: Nach oberrheinischen
    Quellen des 12. und 13. Jahrhunderts_ (Hildesheim: Georg Olms 
    Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1966) pp.38-9