Hermes
A surname that usually began as a short form of names like Hermann or as a Germanic given-name form, later also reinforced by the classical name Hermes.
The #7,545 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 70,058 Americans shares it.
Etymology
In German naming, Hermes is often understood as a shortened or altered form of older personal names such as Hermann, rather than directly from the Greek god’s name. The deeper Germanic name elements behind Hermann include words meaning "army" and "man," so the sense is roughly "warrior man" or "man of the host." In some cases, however, the spelling may also have been influenced by the classical name Hermes from Greek mythology.
History
The name appears in German-speaking areas as a surname and as a regional surname form alongside related shapes such as Harms and Herms. 19th-century surname scholars often grouped it with other shortened or altered German given-name surnames. In English-speaking countries it is also familiar through immigration and through the classical association with the Greek messenger god.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Some older surname works explicitly note Hermes alongside regional forms like Harms and Herms, showing how fluid surname spellings could be in German dialect areas.
From the historical record
“Hermia. Frutica aromática i medicinal de la India, Hermes. Nombre griego de Mercurio. Hermosilla. Diminutivo de hermoso. Hermoso. Lo bien hecho 1 proporcionado, lo perfecto 1 excelente en su línea, lo agradable i gustoso.”
— Diccionario de los apellidos