Etymology: < early Scandinavian (compare Old Icelandic karlmann- , karlmaðr , also karmaðr man, adult male human being, Old Danish karman , karlman ) < the Scandinavian base of Old Icelandic karl carl n.¹ + the Scandinavian base of Old Icelandic maðr man n.¹ Compare later carl n.¹ and late Old English (rare) carlfugol male bird ( < early Scandinavian; compare Old Icelandic karlfugl ). Compare also buscarl n., housecarl n.Also attested early as a surname, Robertus Karleman (1279), which perhaps reflects use of the word as a personal name; compare earlier Hamo filius Karlman (1201) and the Old High German male personal name Carlman . Earlier currency of the β. forms may be implied by the surname evidence cited at car n.¹ (see discussion at that entry). Compare (cognate with or similarly formed to the Scandinavian compound) Old Frisian tzereman , tzerman man, and the Old High German personal name cited above. Compare also (in different sense) Middle Low German kerlmann man of low status (rare) and late Old English ceorlmann , early Middle English cherlman man of the rank of ceorl, freeman of the lowest class, peasant ( < churl n. + man n.¹), only attested in Latin contexts and perhaps only in historical use; however, wider currency in English may be implied by the surname Thom. Cherlman (1322) and the field name Churlmannesputte, Hampshire (c1350).

Etymology: < car n.¹ + man n.¹ Compare earlier carter n.¹Perhaps attested earlier as a surname: see discussion at car n.¹