Barham

Barham is an English surname of Old English origin, derived from a locational name indicating a person who hailed from the village of Barham, which is found in various parts of England, including Suffolk and Kent. The name "Barham" is believed to come from the Old English words "be(o)rn," meaning "stream," and "hamm," meaning "enclosure" or "homestead," which would describe a settlement near a stream.

The surname Barham has been documented in historical records dating back to the medieval period in England. The Barham family is known to have held various estates and manors in different parts of the country, and members of the Barham family have been noted for their contributions to various fields, including politics, literature, and the military.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Barham include poet Richard Harris Barham (1788–1845), known for his humorous verses under the pseudonym Thomas Ingoldsby, and Sir Charles Middleton-Barham (1760–1813), a British Navy admiral who served during the Napoleonic Wars.

Today, the surname Barham continues to be relatively common in England and can also be found in other English-speaking countries. The name carries with it a sense of heritage and connection to the land, reflecting the rich history of the English countryside.

There are approximately 3,880 people named Barham in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,404th most common surname in Britain. Around 60 in a million people in Britain are named Barham.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Richard
  • Robert

Female

  • Diana
  • Eileen
  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Joan
  • Julie
  • Linda
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Patricia
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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