Surname Oldham - Meaning and Origin
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Oldham: What does the surname Oldham mean?
The surname Oldham originates from England and is a geographical or locational surname, meaning it is derived from a place name. In this case, it refers to the town of Oldham in Lancashire, North West England. The name "Oldham" comes from Old English "Eald" (old) and "ham" (homestead or enclosure) which suggests the town was relatively old even in medieval times when surnames began to be used. Therefore, the surname Oldham could denote a familial connection to the town or could have been given to those who emigrated from there. Surnames based on locations became necessary when former inhabitants of a place moved to another area, providing an identifiable means of distinguishing them from others.
Order DNA origin analysisOldham: Where does the name Oldham come from?
Oldham is a surname of English origin that is most commonly found concentrated in England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland. It is popularly associated with the town of Oldham, in Greater Manchester, England. Although the Oldham's from the town trace their roots back to Norman times, the name is found in many other places in the United Kingdom and beyond. According to records, in 1891, the name was recorded in Warwickshire, Suffolk, Middlesex, Lancashire, Worcestershire and more.
Today, the name Oldham is common all around the United Kingdom, but is more concentrated in areas with more historical heritage. Warwickshire, Middlesex, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Durham, Durham, Northumberland, Staffordshire, Cheshire and Wales are some of the areas with the most Oldhams.
It is also a popular name in many other parts of the world. The United States is said to have the largest population of Oldhams outside the United Kingdom. The states with the greatest concentration of the surname include Texas, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland and Georgia, as well as the big cities of New York, Chicago and Los Angeles.
The name can also be found in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, in countries in Central and South America such as Mexico, Argentina and Chile, and in countries in Europe such as Germany, Spain, Italy and France.
Oldham is still a popular surname in many places around the world, with a unique and varied geographical distribution.
Variations of the surname Oldham
The surname Oldham has a variety of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of these variations include Oldam, Aldham, Oldum, Ouldam, Oldome, Aldom, Aldum, Ouldam, Ouldham, Ayldam, Ouldome, Uldam, Uldame, Uldham, and Ayldham.
The early versions of the surname are believed to originate from a place name derived from Old English, which meant Old Land or Old House. The place could have referred to an older family home or estate, or to an old settlement or farmstead in this region of England.
The surname Oldham appears in records from the 10th and 11th centuries. It can be found recorded in various spellings in the Domesday Book of 1086 and in other records from that period. Later, in the 12th century, an Alan de Aldham is recorded in Norfolk during this time period and it is believed that all the variations of the Oldham name descended from him.
The later spelling variations of the surname appear to be an adaptation to local dialects or languages, as well as evidence of a desire toclassify the surname into distinct categories. It may also be that, in some cases, these spellings were used by people who had been deported as part of a punishment or that they had migrated from their original homes as part of a larger group.
The Oldham surname can be found in many parts of Britain, such as Lancashire, Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Warwickshire, and Leicestershire. It can also be commonly found in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Scotland. In addition, Oldham and its variants can also be found in other parts of the world, such as Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Famous people with the name Oldham
- Jack Oldham: British actor who starred in multiple TV shows and films throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
- Jimmy Oldham: NBA basketball player from the 1950s and 1960s.
- Jeff Oldham: American mother & son musician duo who have released several Gospel/Christian albums.
- Scott Oldham: American automotive journalist and founder of a classic car auction company.
- John Oldham: British soldier, recipient of the Victoria Cross for his actions during World War I.
- Dean Oldham: British footballer who played for clubs in the UK and abroad in the 1960s and 70s.
- Lee Oldham: British film and TV composer, best known for his work on various BBC series.
- Andrew Oldham: English record producer and manager of The Rolling Stones between 1963 and 1967.
- Tammy Oldham: American actor, best known for her role in the TV show “The Young and The Restless”.
- Sam Oldham: British gymnast who competed at the 2012 Olympics and won a bronze medal.