THE ANCIENT HISTORY OF THE DISTINGUISHED SURNAME

****** BAUMANN ******

The Rhineland, where the name Baumann has been found, can be seen as the place of origin for Germany's recorded history, in which the "Romantic Rhine" has been immortalized in songs such as "Die Lorelei" and the mediaeval epic "The Song of the Nibelungen".

This region has been the site of many struggles between the nations of France and Germany, both of whom wanted control over this rich industrial territory. The ancient province of the Rhineland now consists of three German provinces: Nordrhein-Westfalen, Rheinland-Pfalz, and the Saarland. Domination of the territory alternated between the Franks and the Alemanni tribes.

The Romans under Caesar occupied all the territories west of the Rhine and south of the Danube, and in 15 B.C. Augustus founded Germany's oldest city, Trier (named after the Germanic tribe of the Traverer) after which this city was made the capital of Western Rome in the third and fourth centuries.

During the Middle Ages the surname Baumann has been traced to the Rhine region, where the name was anciently associated with the tribal conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. They branched into many houses, and their contributions were sought by many leaders in their search for power.

The earliest trace of the Baumann family is found in Strasbourg, where they flourished at the beginning of the 14th century. Extensive research into the history of names reveals that family surnames often undergo major changes over time. Particularly in the German language, names often have elements added to the name's stem to tell something of the person's place of origin, character, or religious beliefs. Also, because so few people could read or write, scribes often recorded the name based on its sound, and hence the spelling would often vary from region to region.

The variations of the name Baumann include Baumann, Bauman, Baumman, Baumenn, Baumen, Baummen, to name a few examples. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the Frankish tribes conquered the Rhineland and continued their expansion into Gaul, now modern France. Charlemagne, the Holy Roman Emperor, chose the city of Aachen as his capital, and his chapel still remains there. The Rhine region became the center of the Holy Roman Empire. However, access and control of the Rhine has long been the objective of the West Frankish tribes of France, and it is not surprising that many battles were fought for control of this territory. The Rhineland was divided into several principalities, including the prince-bishoprics of Trier and Cologne, all of which were eventually united by the power of Prussia under the name "Rhineprovinz" after the Congress of Vienna in 1815. Meanwhile, bearers of the family name moved to Saxony, holding many interests as the population of the family name grew in the same dimensions as the general population explosion in the 16th century.

As the size of the family broadened they moved following their special interests either in religious, military or political occupations. They were also found in distant locations such as Basel, Bern, and throughout Bavaria. They were later raised to the ranks of the nobility in 1790. Several honored citizens came from this family, including Michael and Franz Xaver Baumann, who were raised to the Bavarian nobilityin 1819. Notable bearers of the surname Baumann at this time were Nicolaus Baumann, the son of the Doctor of Law Joachim Baumann, who was a senator in Stralsund, Pomerania, and the Lord of the estates at Luedershagen. He was ennobled in 1676. Johann Friedrich Theodor Baumann entered the Prussian civil service in 1879, rose from honor to honor, becoming vice-administrator to Posen in 1816, chief administrator of Koenigsberg in 1818, and in 1824 the president of the province of Posen.

Industrially and agriculturally, the Rhineland is one of the wealthiest areas in Germany, with the world's most heavily industrialized area in the north (the Ruhr) and the vast wine regions of the Mosel in the south. The romantic Rhineland offers the natural beauty of the river itself, as well as the friendly and hospitable nature of its local people, who are renowned throughout Germany for their traditional celebration of "Karneval" in Mainz and Cologne, not to mention the wine festivals throughout the Mosel region. Many settlers left Germany to seek their fortunes in the New World, in order to escape from proverty or religious persecution. This flow of migration across the Atlantic began after 1659, and continued well into the 20th century, as wars and the rise of Communist power caused many to seek the relative prosperity and freedom of North America. Primarily the German settlers found themselves in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, California, and New York, while in Canada they settled in Ontario and the prairie provinces.

Settlers bearing the surname Baumann include Wilhelm Baumann, who arrived in Germantown, Pennsylvania in 1683. Conrad Baumann arrived in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1755; Jacob Bauman settled in Philadelphia in 1727; Franz Baumann, age 43, came to New York City in 1849; Marie Baumann settled in Texas in 1853. In modern times, prominent members of the surname Baumann achieved distinction, such as Herbert Baumann (b.1925), who is a well-known conductor and composer. Paul Baumann (b. 1898 was a prominent structural engineer. The family Baumann has extended to many different countries around the world, for example in Argentina you can find the familes; Baumann Coster, Baumann Aubone, Baumann Aubone Danuzzo De Oliveira Cezar, etc In France you can find the families; Baumann Ducatel, Baumann Rizzotti, Baumann Tobler, Baumann Surre, Morel Baumann, etc. In England Marino-Montero Baumann, etc. They can also be found in the United States of America. The oldest recorded family Coat of Arms of the family Baumann is; A black and gold shield with silver buck's antlers.