A Historical Overview of the Peter Stutzman Family - Yule Tree Farms

12) Name origins, meaning, and variations Page 18
A) Name Origins
The name “Stutzman”, spelled “Stutzmann” in German speaking parts of Switzerland,is native to a small area of
Switzerland situated between two neighboring districts of Thun (Canton of Bern) and Escholzmatt (Canton of
Lucerne), with most Stutzmanns located in the district of THUN. This area includes part of the Simme, Aare &
Emme River Valley systems of Switzerland. The original homeland towns “HEIMATS”; are currently listed as
Spiez, Homberg, and Ubeschi; all of which are located close to each other in the Canton of Bern. Erlenbach is not
currently classified as a place of origin for the Stutzmann name even though it is in the immediate vicinity of the
other above named towns. This warrants an explanation. All Swiss have a “place of birth” and a “place of origin.” In
most cases they are not the same. Back in the 1670’s because of a general famine-the destitute increased to critical
numbers, who tried to exist by going from community to community. Because no one would accept responsibility
for them the Bernese goverment decided that on a given day in 1672, each Bernese citizen must accept citizenship in
the parish in which he resided for that day-and this included all the destitute. The local parish then assumed full
responsibility for the sustenance for all who had registered on that day. This system exists to this day-even though
some families have not lived in their parish “place of origin” for over 200 years. Thus a Swiss citizen might say he
was born in Erlenbach, but his place of origin is Thun and be correct.
In the middle ages, an individual had but one name which usually consisted of two words or syllables
and usually represented some physical characteristic. As Christianity spread (800-1500) this one name usually took
on a biblical meaning; later a name usually took on a saint’s name coinciding with the individual’s birthdate. With
growing populations, a single name became no longer sufficient - thus a family surname addition concept came into
being. The origin of these family names were derived from five sources; from a first name, from a place where the
family lived, from a special physical characteristic, from an animal, from an occupation or office held. The Stutzman
name was derived from “a place where the family lived.”
A computer search of early Stutzmann genealogy of the 16th and 17th centuries lists most of the Stutzmanns as
being located within twenty miles of the present town of Thun, Switzerland.
Currently there are 88 residence listings for Stutzmanns in Switzerland, and 204 in Germany - for a total of 292.
We are currently in the slow process of trying to see if any of the currently living Stutzmans are related to our
progenitor - Peter Stutzmann. It is expected that this process will take about two years.
B) Name Meaning
It is believed that the meaning of the name “Stutzmann” had its origins in the word “Stutz which in the Swiss-
German dialect, signifies a steep hill or slope. Thus a person who lived on a steep hill or slope would have been
called a “der Mann am Stutz” = Stutzmann. A hamlet called Im-Stutz actually exists located about 2.5 km west of
Erlenbach (See Page 8 - Map of Erlenbach) which is on the main road consisting of 10 houses (12 families) with
some homes having been built in the 18th century. It has been noted by recent travelers to Switzerland that signs
exist on small county roads, lands, or pathways with the word “Stutz” indicating a steep hill or slope ahead. We are
currently exploring this further.
Other literature has suggested other various meanings (usually of pure German origin) such as, “Stutzs-Mann”
meaning an obstinate man; or “Stuets-Mann” meaning a man who supports or protects others, or “Stutz-Mann”
meaning a gun carrier (short type of shotgun) in service to his landlord; or as a soldier, policeman, sheriff; or as a
protector from wild animals or marauders. “Stutz-Mann” was also used in Germmany to describe men who placed
timber braces in mines - a specialized skill of the mining guild.
As names were assigned or assumed during the later part of the middle ages, it is likely that many “first Stutzmanns”
existed at the same time in other German speaking areas of Switzerland. In addition the commonness of the name
(due to its origin) suggests that several Stutzmanns may have existed in a relatively small area, who were unrelated
to each other. In all probablility not all Stutzmanns are blood relatives or would trace back to a common ancestor.
C) Name Variations
Adding further confusion to these matters is that the spelling of the name varied such as: Stuzman, Studsman,
Stuchman, Statsman, Stoutsman, Sutzman, Stutsman, Stutesman, Stietmann, Stootsman, Stutz, Amstutz, etc. All
these different spellings have been found at some point during the historical research. At the time (1570-1850) very
few could spell or write their names. What counted was the pronunciation, not the spelling. Variations of spelling
were common within the family and changed on a whim. When a name came to be recorded in some record it was
simply spelled as the recorder thought is sounded. This was especially true as records were processed at ports of
immigration.
In addition to various spellings of similar family names -within the
same village - were added the diversity of religious beliefs within the same
family. Reformed (Conservative) or Anabaptist (liberal) views were common
between husband/wife; brother/sister; parents/children; all adding to
the complexity of the era.
N.L.P., 12-25-04
TITLE 12 - NAME ORIGINS, MEANING AND
VARIATIONS, PAGE 18
PETER STUTZMAN HISTORICAL OVERVIEW