Inman
An occupational surname meaning “the inn keeper” or “man of the inn.”
The #1,474 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 12,746 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Inman is an English occupational surname built from Middle English "inn" plus "man," literally meaning a man connected with an inn. Early sources gloss it as a lodging-house keeper or innkeeper. The name reflects the trade rather than a place of origin.
History
The surname is recorded in medieval England and remained in use as the occupational term changed from older forms like "innman" to "innkeeper" or "innholder." It appears in English records from at least the late medieval period and later became established as a hereditary surname. The same occupational pattern also produced related surnames such as Hostler and Oastler.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
A related older surname, Oastler, comes from the same broad world of innkeeping and hostel service.
From the historical record
“a lodging-houae keeper. Later on the terms innhotder and innkeeper took it3 place. Inman, however, attained surnominal honours, and thus is amply avenged. M.E. in ; 'i'h, hospicium': Prompt.Parv. A synonymous surname is Oastler from Hosteler. Inmaa has existed”
— A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, with special American instances