Penman is a surname. Surnames of Scotland by George F. Black states that it is "of local origin from a small place of the name formally in Roxburghshire or Selkirkshire."
Bearers of the name include: Andy Penman (1943–1994), Scottish footballer David Penman (1936–1989), Australian Anglican archbishop of Melbourne Ian Penman (born 1959), British writer and blogger Ian Penman (producer), British radio and television writer Jim Penman (born 1952), Australian businessman Nelia Penman (1915–2017), British politician Percival Penman (1885–1944), Australian cricketer Robert Penman (fl. 1920s/30s), Scottish footballer Sharon Kay Penman (1945–2021), American historical novelist
See also Emanuel Ninger (1846/1847–1924), American counterfeiter nicknamed "Jim the Penman" James Townshend Saward (1798–c. 1875), English barrister and forger nicknamed "Jim the Penman" Southern New Hampshire Penmen, the athletic teams of Southern New Hampshire University