Surname Perham - Meaning and Origin
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Perham: What does the surname Perham mean?
The last name Perham is of English origin. It traces back to a place-name, originating from the Old English pre-7th Century term "Peram," meaning pear tree. In England, the family name Perham can be traced back to the county of Devon, where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor.
The Perham name refers to a particular physical feature close to where a person lived or held land. This was a common practice during the Middle Ages, as a way to distinguish people from one another. In their line of family, the Perhams may have owned or lived near a pear orchard, and the name was passed down to keep a record of this specific place.
The meaning of the last name Perham carries some connotation of strength. The pear tree is a strong and resilient plant which can withstand many changes in weather and environment. Many people who take on the Perham name, adopt a sense of strength that goes along with it. They take pride in their resilience and ability to overcome adversity through their natural strength and determination.
The surname Perham is popular in England, the United States, and Canada, as well as other countries worldwide. People in countries such as France and South Africa have also adopted the name. Today, the Perham family remains a successful and prominent family name. It is often associated with loyalty, strong work ethic, and resilience.
Order DNA origin analysisPerham: Where does the name Perham come from?
The last name Perham is most common today in the United Kingdom, where it is one of the top ten most common last names nationwide. It most likely originates in the Old English language, and was brought over to Britain by the Angles and Saxons in the 5th Century.
The name is believed to have associations with several areas in England, including a village in Devon and a parish in Wiltshire.
Although it is most common in the United Kingdom, the name is also present in other parts of the world due to emigration across many centuries. Perham can also be found in the United States, particularly in New England, where early settlers traveling west from England brought the name with them. It can also be found in areas of Canada with a history of British migration as well as in Australia, among other places.
Overall, Perham is still fairly widespread and can be found across Europe and the British Isles, as well as parts of North America and the British Commonwealth. It is a relatively rare last name, but its presence in various areas around the world demonstrates how it has been carried around the world by people on their travels.
Variations of the surname Perham
The surname Perham is thought to be of English origin and is most commonly associated with the county of Devon. Perham is believed to have been derived from the Old English personal name "feara", meaning "ploughman". It is believed to be a contraction of the phrase "Pear a ham", which references the farming activities of the initial bearers of the name.
The variants, spellings, and surnames of Perham include Perum, Perrum, Perrom, Persian, Peerham, Pirrim, Piram, Parham, Pearham, Pyran, Peyran, and Pyreham. All of these spellings and surnames are associated with the same origin of Perham, though some of these may be more commonly used in other countries than in England.
The Perham surname is also known to have been adopted by other nationalities. For example, records of the Perham surname have been found in Germany and Switzerland. Other records show that the surname has been used by people who have immigrated to the United States from England, Ireland, Scotland, and even Australia and New Zealand.
In conclusion, the surname Perham is believed to have originated from the Old English personal name “feara”, meaning “ploughman”. The variants, spellings, and surnames associated with this name include Perum, Perrum, Perrom, Persian, Peerham, Pirrim, Piram, Parham, Pearham, Pyran, Peyran, and Pyreham. Records of this surname have also been found in various other countries, such as Germany, Switzerland, the United States, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name Perham
- Erastus Dustin Perham, United States Representative from Wisconsin
- Heather Perham, an American actress
- Santiago Rafael Perham, an Argentine composer and pianist
- Nicole Perham, a Canadian diver
- Jack Perham, an American superhero from Marvel comics
- Benjamin A. Perham, an American photographer
- Gertrude Perham, a 19th-century American novelist
- Dan Perham, an American politician
- Adeline Perham, wife of American author, Louisa May Alcott
- O. A. Perham, the first mayor of Rutland, Vermont
- William B. Perham, an American politician