Surname Thamm - Meaning and Origin

Discovering the Unseen: How My iGENEA DNA Test Enlightened My Understanding Of The Thamm Lineage

Receiving my DNA test results from iGENEA, I embarked on a captivating exploration of my ancestry, specifically my lineage to the Thamm family. The journey not only reshaped my understanding about my ancestry with unexpected Scottish roots but also redefined how I perceive myself.

Y. Thamm

Thamm: What does the surname Thamm mean?

The last name Thamm is of German origin and is derived from the word “Thamme” which means “valley dweller” or “freeholder”. This could indicate that the original bearer of the last name was someone from a rural background with ties to farming and land ownership.

The first record of the name dates back to 1272 in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt, and from there, the surname spread across Germany and other parts of Europe. It is possible that members of the family may have left the continent in search of better opportunities as many people did during this period.

The spelling of the name may have evolved over time as it spread; in some places it may have evolved to Thom, Thammen, Tham, Theim, or Theimme, depending on location and dialect. Today, there are many variations of the name, including Tham, Thamm, Thumm, and Tumme, among others.

The Thamms or Thumms of today continue to fly the flag of their German ancestry, representing an older way of life that has been largely forgotten in the modern world. For those who still maintain the name, there is an undeniable connection to the past, and recognition of the broad tapestry of European immigration and the trailblazing of their ancestors.

Thamm: Where does the name Thamm come from?

The last name Thamm is most common in southern Germany, particularly in the states Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg. It is believed to be derived from the German word for "oak tree" (Thamme).

The surname Thamm is also quite common in Austria, with its highest concentration in Niederösterreich and Vienna. It is also present in parts of Switzerland, especially in Bern and Uri.

In the United States, where it is sometimes also spelled Tamm, the surname is mainly found in Pennsylvania. One of the first Thamms to settle in America was Johann Peter Thamm, who arrived in 1731 from Germany with his wife and four children. Later, many Thamm families settled in York, Lebanon, and Berks Counites in Pennsylvania. Other states where the Thamm family has settled include Maryland, Ohio, Iowa, Indiana, and Minnesota.

The Thamm name can also be found in other parts of the world, including Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Australia.

Overall, the surname Thamm is relatively uncommon outside of its areas of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, although its presence can still be felt in various parts of the world with sizable German populations.

Variations of the surname Thamm

The surname Thamm (or Tham) is a German and Dutch variation of the French surname Tham. It first appeared in the region of Prussia, Germany before spreading out to other parts of the continent during the Middle Ages. Variants of the Thamm surname include Thamme, Tamme, Thaemm, Thaemme, Thaemmer, Tahm, Thamms, Thammas, Thammer, Thammann and Thamma.

In Germany and the Netherlands, most of the Thamm surnames have spelling variations which non- Germans would not recognize. For instance, the German surname Thamme is spelled as “Taemme” in Dutch while the German Thammas is spelled as “Thaams” in Dutch. Similarly, most of the Dutch spelling variants are recognized by Germans.

The Thamm surname is also found in other regions of Europe such as Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. For instance, in Scandinavia, there is a variation of the surname known as “Tahm,” while in Eastern Europe there are various versions of the name such as “Tamme”, “Thamm” or “Tamm”.

The Tham surname is found sometimes with the spelling “Thomb”, which is a combination of the German and French Thamm and Thom variations.

The Thamm surname is interesting because of its varied spellings and numerous variations across Europe. Each variant has its own unique interest and story.

Famous people with the name Thamm

• Markus Thamm: German radio host, actor and documentary maker.
• David Thamm: German entrepreneur and inventor who developed the first automatic meat slicing and cubing machine for the foodservice industry.
• Erik Thamm: American professor and anatomist who discovered the 'Thamm’s organ', a part of the vertebrate inner ear, in a wide range of species.
• Paul Thamm: Austrian canon lawyer and historian, known for his studies of the archdioceses of Vienna and Salzburg, as well as Austrian monastic history.
• Elisabeth Thamm: German actress most recognized for her roles in Die Drei von der Tankstelle and Wir Machen Musik.
• Jacob Thamm: Dutch shipping magnate and politician who founded the Dutch East India Company and served in the States of Holland and West Friesland.
• William Thamm: British painter known for his landscapes, seascapes, and portraits.
• Dieter Thamm: German screenwriter, film producer, and director known for his classic films such as The White Spades and Fitschenputtel.
• Gottfried Thamm: German playwright and theatre director during the Weimar Republic.
• Carl Thamm: German architect who designed several notable buildings including the Thamm Palace in Berlin.

Other surnames

ThamesThammenThampiThamsen