Surname Cambridge - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Cambridge: What does the surname Cambridge mean?
Cambridge is a surname of English origin which is geographically derived from the city of Cambridge in England. The name Cambridge itself means "bridge over the River Cam", which flows through the city. The city's name is derived from the combination of "cam," an old English word for "crooked" or "bend in a river," and "bridge." Hence, it represents a bridge crossing the Cam River. As a surname, Cambridge would have been used to denote a person who came from this area. Over time, it has been adopted by various families as their last name, often when they moved away from Cambridge, as a way to retain a connection to that place. The name is also closely associated with the prestige and history of the University of Cambridge, one of the oldest and most renowned universities in the world.
Order DNA origin analysisCambridge: Where does the name Cambridge come from?
The surname Cambridge is of English origin, derived from the name of the well-known city in East Anglia, England. The city itself was named in the 1st century as "Grantabrycge" meaning "Bridge over the river Granta". Over time, "Grantabrycge" morphed into Cambridge.
The surname may have been first used for someone who came from Cambridge or for a person who lived or worked near a bridge, as in those days surnames often denoted a person's dwelling place or occupation. It could also have been adopted by people who migrated from Cambridge to other parts of England or the world and took on the name of their birthplace to identify themselves.
As of today, the surname Cambridge isn't widely common. In England, it may still be found in some frequency, but with the passage of time and migration, bearers of the name could be scattered globally, perhaps predominantly in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.
It’s important to note that modern associations with this name also include the British royal family, particularly Prince William who was given the title Duke of Cambridge upon his marriage.
Variations of the surname Cambridge
The surname Cambridge is derived from the city of the same name in England. It is a habitational surname, given to individuals who resided near a notable landmark or geographical feature, often a city, town, or village. It is likely that the name traveled around the world along with the British Empire, so variations may exist in different languages and regions.
Alternative spellings for Cambridge could include Cambrige, Cammbridge, or Kammbridge. Variations of the surname may include the likes of Cambridges, Cambris, Camburgs, Camberidge, and Cumberidge.
In traditional English naming practice, 'son of Cambridge' could also transform into surnames like Cambridgeon or Cambridgeson. Other variations might include geographical markers or occupational designations combined with the root, like Cambridgefield or Cambridgefarmer.
Variations of Cambridge may be found in other languages as well, where the meaning of the name ('bridge over the River Cam') might be translated or adapted, such as "Puentecam" in Spanish or "Pontecam" in Italian. However, these would generally be considered separate names, rather than direct variants of Cambridge.
Please remember that surname variation is a complex subject and these are simply educated guesses about potential variants or spelling variations.
Famous people with the name Cambridge
- Prince William, Duke of Cambridge
- Princess Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
- Prince George of Cambridge
- Prince Louis of Cambridge
- Princess Charlotte of Cambridge
- Prince Harry of Cambridge
- Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
- Edward VIII, King of Great Britain
- Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex
- Prince Andrew, Duke of York
- Victoria Cambridge, Countess of Romney
- Charles Cambridge, Viscount Trematon
- Lady Rose Gilman
- Richard H. Cambridge, Mayor of Cambridge
- Tunde Adebimpe, American Music Artist and Actor
- Mark Cambridge, Former NFL Kicker
- E. Lynn Harris, Author
- Alvin Ailey, Choreographer and Dance Activist
- Reggie Cambridge, American Soccer Coach
- Jelani Cambridge, American Wrestler