Bilham

Origin and Meaning: Bilham is an English surname of locational origin, deriving from multiple places in England called “Bilham”. These place names are believed to be derived from the Old English words “bil”, meaning a sword, and “ham”, meaning a homestead or settlement. Therefore, the name may have originally referred to someone living in or near a settlement associated with a sword.

Distribution and Frequency: The surname Bilham is relatively rare, with most occurrences found in the United Kingdom. The name is more common in certain regions of England, particularly in Yorkshire, where the place names of Bilham are located.

Notable People:

  • Teddy Bilham (1903-1979): A renowned English painter known for his landscapes and portraits, with his works displayed in several prestigious galleries.
  • Alice Bilham (b. 1985): A talented British actress, best known for her roles in various theatre productions and television dramas.

Variants: Variants of the surname Bilham include Bilam, Billam, and Bylham.

References:

  • Reaney, P. H., & Wilson, R. M. (1997). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press.
  • Hanks, P., Coates, R., & McClure, P. (2016). The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland. Oxford University Press.

There are approximately 515 people named Bilham in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around eight in a million people in Britain are named Bilham.

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • Alan
  • Ap
  • David
  • Frank
  • James
  • John
  • Kevin
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Mike
  • Neil
  • Paul
  • Peter
  • Steven

Female

  • Carol
  • Christine
  • Elizabeth
  • Jacqueline
  • Jean
  • Joanne
  • Katie
  • Louise
  • Lucy
  • Patricia

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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