Surname Lanham - Meaning and Origin
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Unveiling Familial Secrets: Insightful DNA Test Traces Viking Lineage of the Lanham Family
Through an in-depth DNA test with iGENEA, I explored my family history about the Lanham side of my family. I discovered origins in the British Isles, glimpses of early medieval prominence, and inspiringly, Viking heritage – all of which immensely enriched my understanding of my ancestry.
C. Lanham
read moreLanham: What does the surname Lanham mean?
The surname Lanham has English origins and is believed to be a locational surname, derived from a place named Lanham, found in the counties of Suffolk and Norfolk in England. The place name Lanham, in turn, is believed to be derived from Old English words 'lang' meaning 'long' and 'ham' meaning 'homestead' or 'settlement'. Hence, the surname could potentially symbolize individuals or families originating from a long/distant homestead. As with many surnames, geographical dislocation over centuries makes it difficult to establish a definitive origin. Like other surnames, its spelling has also changed over the years and it has several variants including Lannam, Lannum, and Lanam. It is worth noting that as a surname, Lanham is not very common but can be found in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada. The first recorded spelling of the family name dates back to the late 16th century in England.
Order DNA origin analysisLanham: Where does the name Lanham come from?
The surname Lanham originates from England, possibly with the root name derived from expressions related to "long home", "woolly hill", or "lamb's meadow". Early records show it was prevalent in the Southern English counties of Cornwall and Devon, and the Southeastern county of Kent in the 17th century.
Today, the Lanham surname is common in several English-speaking countries. In the United States, it is relatively common particularly in Kentucky, Maryland, and Texas. It is also found in the United Kingdom, especially in areas like Glastonbury and Harlequin. There are also pockets of Lanhams in Australia, particularly in the eastern regions. Despite its spread, Lanham remains a less frequently encountered surname overall.
Variations of the surname Lanham
The surname Lanham is believed to be of English origin, derived from various place names in England. It is also believed to be a variant of the common British surname Langham.
The surname Langham has many spelling variations due to the phonetic spellings that occurred in the medieval era. These included Langholm, Langholme, Langum, Langam, and Longham.
Other similar sounding names like Lennam, Lennan, Lenham, and Lenhame could also be possible derivations although these versions are not commonly used.
Some sources suggest that Lanham could also be an Americanization of the German surname Lahn or Lahnemann.
While spelling or name changes were common due to migration, different dialects, or spelling errors in records, most of these variant spellings are rare and most people with these surnames are likely to be using the more common versions: Langham or Lanham.
It is not unusual for surnames to have several variants, and these generally do not denote different origins but rather variations due to historical, geographical or personal reasons. Therefore, all surnames mentioned above could be considered variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as 'Lanham.'
Famous people with the name Lanham
- David Lanham: An illustrator who is known for his colorful works of art.
- Mick Lanham: A former Major League Baseball player.
- Joshua Lanham: An American singer-songwriter.
- Bryan Lanham: An Emmy Award-winning television and film composer.
- Dan Lanham: An American radio personality.
- Bob Lanham: An American-based singer-songwriter.
- Bill Lanham: An American politician who served four terms in the Ohio House of Representatives.
- Jan Lanham: An American journalist and environmentalist.
- Dr. Robert Lanham: A retired minister and author.
- Dr. Gary Lanham: An internationally recognized researcher and scholar.