This medieval German surname is variously recorded as Hanselman and Hanselmann, and in the USA, Hansman, Heintzelman, Henselman, Hentzelman, and possibly other similar spellings. It almost certainly derives from the male given name Hans, a nickname or short form of Johann, the usual German form of John. However spelt, and there are believed to be some four hundred variations, all originate from the Hebrew "Jochanaan", meaning "Jehovah has favoured me (with a son)" The baptismal name has always enjoyed enormous popularity in Europe throughout the Christian era, being given in honour of St. John the Baptist, precursor of Christ, and the later St. John the Evangelist, author of the fourth gospel. The suffix "man(n), when attached to a given name has several possible meanings. It is generally accepted to have a close relationship interpretation and may describe a friend, page, or attendant of that person. The name has been long recorded in the region of Germany known as Bayern-Wuertt, in Bavaria. It was also an early settler name in the USA, dating back before Independance in 1776, to the time when the kings of England were also Kings of Hannover, in Germany. These early examples include Hans Georg Hanselmann, at Berks, Pa, on August 29th 1752, in the reign of George 11 (1727 - 1760), and Georg Heintzelmann of Heidelburg, Pa, on December 9th 1770. In England the name is believed to be first recorded in about 1880, when Karl and Christian Hanselmann, from Wachbach, Wuertt, were resident at Sheffield, Yorkshire, and Spennymoor, County Durham.The first known recording of the surname is believed to be that of Erhard Hanselmann, in the charters of the town of Brickenheim, Germany. This was during the reign of Emperor Frederick 111, of the Holy Roman (German) Empire, 1440 - 1493.

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