Family name origins & meanings
- South German : occupational name for a helmet-maker, from Middle High German helm ‘helmet’ + the agent suffix -er.
- German and Dutch : from a Germanic personal name composed of the elements helm ‘helmet’, ‘protection’ + heri, hari ‘army’; or from one composed of the elements hail ‘whole’, ‘sound’ + mari, meri ‘renowned’; or from one composed of the elements helm ‘helmet’ + hard ‘hardy’, ‘brave’, ‘strong’.
- Jewish (Ashkenazic) : ornamental name, a derivative of Helm.