The surname Siegelman has its origins in the German language. It is believed to have first emerged in the 16th century in the region of Bavaria, which was then part of the Holy Roman Empire. The name is derived from the German word "siegen," meaning "to conquer" or "to triumph," combined with the suffix "-mann," denoting a person or individual.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Siegelman can be found in the parish records of the town of Augsburg, where a certain Hans Siegelman is mentioned as residing there in the year 1547. It is plausible that the name was initially bestowed upon an individual who had achieved a remarkable victory or triumph in some endeavor, thus earning the moniker "conqueror" or "victor."

During the 17th century, the Siegelman family appears to have dispersed across various parts of Germany, with records indicating their presence in cities such as Nuremberg and Frankfurt. In the year 1692, a Johann Siegelman is mentioned in the town chronicles of Rothenburg ob der Tauber as being a respected merchant and landowner.

As the surname spread across Europe, variations in spelling began to appear. For instance, in the Netherlands, the name was sometimes rendered as "Siegelmann," while in parts of Austria, it was occasionally spelled as "Sigelmann."

One notable figure bearing the name Siegelman was Wilhelm Siegelman (1733-1809), a German mathematician and astronomer who made significant contributions to the field of celestial mechanics. His work on the calculation of planetary orbits and the prediction of solar eclipses earned him widespread recognition among his contemporaries.

Another individual of historical significance was Anna Siegelman (1786-1862), a renowned painter and portraitist from the city of Dresden. Her artistic talents were widely celebrated during her lifetime, and several of her works can still be found in prestigious museums across Europe.

In the 20th century, the name Siegelman gained further prominence with the birth of Herbert Siegelman (1919-2004), a prominent American lawyer and civil rights activist. He played a pivotal role in several landmark cases that helped shape the legal landscape of the United States, particularly in the areas of racial equality and voting rights.

Additionally, the name Siegelman was borne by the German-American author and playwright Hans Siegelman (1927-2002), whose works explored themes of identity, cultural assimilation, and the immigrant experience in the United States.

While the surname Siegelman may have its roots in the German-speaking regions of Europe, it has since spread across the globe, carried by individuals and families who have contributed to various fields and endeavors throughout history.