Surname Gammon - Meaning and Origin

Gammon: What does the surname Gammon mean?

The last name Gammon is of Anglo-Saxon origin and its roots can be traced back to Medieval England. The term Gammon, in Old Norman and Middle English, was typically used to refer to a game, sport or amusement, and was usually connected to individuals who made a living organizing games or who was an exceptional player of games. Therefore, it can be inferred that the last name might have been given to someone who was a professional gambler or a gamesman. On the other hand, "Gammon" also refers to a specific cut of ham, indicating an alternate possibility that someone might have received it due to their association with the trade of meat curing or butchery. As with many other surnames, various spelling variations of Gammon can be found, including but not limited to, Gamon, Game, Games, Gammone and others. Therefore, the exact meaning of the surname could vary based on the cultural, regional and historical complexities of the individual bearing the name.

Gammon: Where does the name Gammon come from?

The surname Gammon originated from England, originating from the Old French word "Gamon", which means a game or sport. It is said to have been derived from an occupational name for a man who organized games and recreational activities, or potentially a topographical name for someone living near an open space suitable for games. It may also have been used as a medieval nickname for a sportive or cheerful person.

The name began to spread with Norman conquest of England in 1066 A.D. Variations of the surname include Gamon, Gaman, and Gauman, among others.

Currently, the surname Gammon is most prevalent in the United States, more specifically in Maine. It is also fairly common in England, especially in the South West, including areas like Bristol and Devon. Meanwhile, it is least common in France. However, the overall distribution is somewhat scattered and thus, there isn't a particularly concentrated population of individuals with the Gammon surname.

Variations of the surname Gammon

The surname Gammon is believed to have originated from Old French or Old German, used as a nickname for someone who was huge or showy. Over time, this surname has taken various forms and spelling variations. Some variants and spelling of the surname Gammon include Gamon, Gammond, Gammonds, Gammans, Gammons, Gaman, Gamans, and Gammin.

A few more phonetic equivalents can also be Gommans, Gommon, Gommone, and Gommons. In some regions, it may even appear as Gauman or Gaumann. Some surnames that could share the same origin due to their phonetic similarity include Geman, Gemmon, or Gemman.

The varying spellings and forms across regions and countries can be attributed to differences in languages, dialects, and individual interpretations. It is also common for surnames to evolve over time and take various forms due to clerical errors or transcription changes as they were passed down through generations.

Remember that the relation between different surnames does not always indicate blood ties. Often, they are equally likely to denote people from different families who lived in the same locality or had a common profession.

Famous people with the name Gammon

• Johnny Gammon: singer-songwriter
• Archie Gammon: English football forward 3.Juilan Gammon: American artist and professor 4.Lorenzo Gammon: Canadian artist and politician 5.Paul Gammon: British author and coach 6.Mike Gammon: American soccer player 7.Rebecca Gammon: British actress 8.Joseph Gammon: American director 9.Vincent Gammons: American basketball player 10.Tanner Gammon: Australian Rugby player 11.Charles Gammon: English cricketer 12.Samuel Gammon: British actor 13.Jesse Gammon: Australian comedian 14.Chris Gammon: British cyclist 15.Cynthia Gammon: American poet and painter

Other surnames

GammondGammons