An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Ammann

by Friedrich Kluge

Ammann, masculine (Alemannian; the Franconian term is Heimbürge), ‘chief magistrate, bailiff,’ from Middle High German amman, a shortened collateral form of ambetman, ‘magistrate, bailiff'; original sense, ‘servant, official,’ afterwards also ‘magistrate.’ See also Amt.