Surname Elam - Meaning and Origin

Unearthing The Ancestral Significance of my Surname 'Elam' through iGENEA DNA Test

I embarked on the uncharted journey of an iGENEA DNA test, resulting in fascinating findings about my ancestry and surname, Elam. Unraveling our roots deep into ancient history, the results reshaped my perception of my identity and gave depth to my understanding and respect for my family's resilience over time.

M. Elam

Elam: What does the surname Elam mean?

The last name Elam is derived from the ancient Biblical land of Elam. The estimated origin of the name is Middle English or Old French, with some people believing it derived from Hebrew. The name most likely means diligence, patience, or "God will judge."

The biblical city of Elam lies in what is now modern-day southwest Iran. It was an ancient kingdom known to have been active since the late Neolithic period, and was known for its great wealth and political stability. The Kingdom of Elam had strong relationships with the Kingdom of Sumer and other nearby Middle Eastern civilizations.

The biblical references to Elam are plentiful. In Genesis it is referenced as the home of the sons of Shem. In Isaiah, Elam is mentioned in the context of the fall of Babylon. There are also several references to Elam in the books of Esther, Ezra, Nehemiah, Jeremiah, and other books. In particular, the city of Susa, which is near Elam, is mentioned numerous times in the Bible.

Given these references, it can be speculated that the original meaning of the name Elam was "ancient", "enduring" or "resilient". It also carries connotations of faithfulness, perseverance, and strength. Today, the name Elam is primarily used by European and American families. It is an uncommon name but is steeped in meaningful history, carrying with it memories of a distant past.

Elam: Where does the name Elam come from?

The last name Elam is common today in the United States. It is found in states like Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas.

In the United States, the highest concentration of people with the last name Elam can be found in Tennessee. According to the United States Census Bureau, the most common county with the last name Elam is Madison County, Tennessee. This county is located just north of Memphis and has a population of over 1.06 million people with the last name Elam.

In the state of Texas, Harris County is the second-most common location for the last name Elam. This county is located in the greater Houston area and has a population of over 8.76 million people with the last name Elam.

Furthermore, the US Census Bureau also reports that the state of North Carolina is home to the third-highest concentration of people with the last name Elam.

Finally, in Alabama, the last name Elam is most commonly found in Madison County, which is located in the northern part of the state and has a population of over 1.19 million people with the last name Elam.

Overall, the last name Elam is mainly found in the US Southern states. It is particularly prominent in Tennessee, Texas, Alabama and North Carolina.

Variations of the surname Elam

The surname Elam has various spellings, variants, and surnames of the same origin. The most common variations include Ealum, Elom, Elum, and Ehlum. Additionally, the surnames Elham, Elsham, Lemm, Eilam, and Elam-Zadeh, all have the same origin as Elam.

The spelling of the name can also vary depending on regional dialect and pronunciation. In some areas, the name may be pronounced as "EE-lam" or "E-lam." Depending on the phonetic similarity of the name, the spelling may be interchangeable with Ellam, Illam or Aalam.

Elam is a geographical and religious surname derived from Elam, which is the former name of the Iranian province Khuzestan. The surname Elam originates from the Elamite Empire around 2200-1600 BC and is derived from the words "elamtu" meaning "highland." The Elamites were an ancient civilization located in western Iran. The name has also become popular amongst the inhabitants of the United Kingdom and United States.

Surnames associated with Elam mainly include Alan, Allen, Allman, Allum, Almon, Ellman, Ellmore, Elmo, Ellwood, Elwood, Ewell, Llewellyn, and Lomax.

Famous people with the name Elam

• Mark Elam: American actor, best known for his roles in movies such as "The Matrix Reloaded" and "Night at the Roxbury".
• Hal Elam: American film and television actor, best known for his roles on shows such as "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and "Fear The Walking Dead".
• Joy Elam: American singer-songwriter and actress, released her debut album "Live It Up" in 2016.
• Ray Elam: American jazz trumpeter, known for his playing with notable jazz musicians such as Cecil Taylor and Sun Ra.
• Chad Elam: American actor and director, best known for his work on the TV series "Days of our Lives".
• Shannon Elam: American actress, best known for her roles in films such as "Triage" and "HairBrained".
• Jodi Elam: American children's author, wrote the popular book series "The Adventures of Stinket and Tink"
• Lynn Elam: American voice actress, known for her work on various anime series including "Cowboy Bebop" and "Naruto".
• Preston Elam: American NASCAR driver, competed in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
• Emmanual Elam: American football player, played in the NFL for the Atlanta Falcons and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Other surnames

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