This unsusual and interesting name is of Early medieval Germanic origin, and derives from a nickname for someone who habitually dressed in bright or colourful clothing, someone thought to be attired in a fashionable manner. A large number of early surnaems in Europe were gradually created from the habitual use of nicknames, given originally for a variety of reasons. They may refer to a person's physical attributes or peculiarities, mental or moral characteristics, supposed resemblance to an animal's or bird's appearance or disposition, or to habits of dress, or occupation. The modern surname, Rothermel, can also be found as Rothmel and Rothemel. One Johannes Rothermel was baptised in Wachbach, Jagstkreis, in 1688, and Hanns Rothremel married Margretha Zimmermannin in Hassloch, Pfalz, on October 30th 1709. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Anna Rothermel (marriage to ans Franck), which was dated April 26th 1681, Oberaspach, Wuertt, Germany, during the reign of Leopold 1, Holy Roman Emperor, 1658 - 1705. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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