Meaning and origin
The last name Diamond has its origin in medieval England, derived from the Old English word "diamant," meaning a precious gem or crystal, ultimately derived from the Greek "adamas." The name was likely given to those involved in the trade or ownership of diamonds, or used as a nickname for someone considered as precious or unbreakable. Over time, it has evolved into a common surname across various English-speaking countries, serving as a testament to the enduring fascination and value associated with diamonds.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#1,670
Diamond was the 1,670th most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 21,586 people, about 7.0 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Diamond
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Diamond is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.