Aultman Surname: Origin, Meaning & Family History

Meaning & Etymology

Old man or elder, from German alt (old) and Mann (man)

History & Origins of the Aultman Name

The Aultman surname has been part of the English landscape since the medieval period. The development of hereditary surnames in England accelerated after the Norman Conquest, as record-keeping became more systematic and families needed fixed identifiers for legal and property purposes.

Historical records trace the Aultman surname to 17th century, with the name associated with Pennsylvania German settlements and Rhineland, Germany. Parish records, tax rolls, and manorial documents from this period provide evidence of the family's presence and standing in their local communities. The geographic distribution of a surname often reveals important clues about a family's origins and the movements of their ancestors over the centuries.

The Aultman family name appears in the records of the British gentry and peerage, with connections including Pennsylvania German immigrant family with no recorded noble or aristocratic lineage. While not every branch of a family held titles, the connection to the peerage system demonstrates the family's place within the broader social fabric of British history. Many families moved between the gentry and the titled aristocracy over the centuries, with fortunes rising and falling according to political allegiance, marriage alliances, and economic circumstances.

The Aultman name has been carried by notable figures across a range of fields. These individuals represent just a fraction of the Aultman legacy that continues to unfold.

Coat of Arms

Coats of arms were granted to specific individuals and their descendants, not to everyone sharing a surname. If you believe you may be entitled to bear the Aultman arms, the College of Arms can help verify your lineage. Learn more in our guide: How Do I Find My Family Crest?

Aristocratic Heritage

Every family has a story. Further genealogical research may reveal noble connections.

• Pennsylvania German immigrant family with no recorded noble or aristocratic lineage

Records of the British peerage include the Aultman name, linking this family to the titled aristocracy that governed much of British public life. To understand where these titles sit in the hierarchy, see our interactive peerage hierarchy chart.

Famous People Named Aultman

Related Surnames

These surnames share a similar German origin and may have historical connections to the Aultman family.

Explore England Lordship Cities

Discover the lordship history of cities connected to the Aultman family's German heritage.