Durham
What is the origin of the last name Durham?
Meaning and origin
The last name Durham originates from the Old English word "dun" meaning hill, and "holme" meaning island or meadow. It likely refers to someone who lived near or belonged to the hill island or meadow. The name is predominantly associated with the historic county of Durham in northeast England, which was named after the city of Durham. Over time, the surname Durham spread beyond the county, and variations in spelling emerged including Durram, Durramham, Durhame, and others.
The longer story
The last name Durham has a long history and carries several meanings and associations. The name itself is of English origin and is derived from the place name Durham, which is a city located in northeast England.
One possible origin of the name Durham is from the Old English word "dun," meaning hill or mountain, combined with the word "holm," which refers to a small island or land surrounded by water.
Another possible origin of the name is from the Norman French word "d'or," meaning of gold.
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.
#792
Durham was the 792nd most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 43,635 people, about 15 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like Durham
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where Durham 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.