Buckingham

Buckingham is a prominent English surname with historic roots. The name originates from the Old English words "bucca" meaning buck or male deer, and "ham" meaning homestead or enclosure. This suggests that the name was likely given to those who resided near an area abundant with deer.

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Buckingham dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086, a survey of England and Wales commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name was prevalent in the county of Buckinghamshire, from which it likely derived. Over the centuries, individuals bearing the surname Buckingham have been noted in various historical records, indicating its enduring presence in English society.

Notably, the surname Buckingham is closely associated with the town of Buckingham, the namesake of the county. Members of the aristocratic Buckingham family have held titles such as the Duke of Buckingham, contributing to the illustrious history of the name. The most famous of these was George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, a powerful and controversial figure during the reign of King James I and King Charles I.

Today, the surname Buckingham remains relatively common in the United Kingdom and abroad, carried by individuals of diverse backgrounds and professions. It continues to be a symbol of English heritage and lineage, reflecting a connection to the historic county of Buckinghamshire.

There are approximately 7,293 people named Buckingham in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,282nd most common surname in Britain. Around 112 in a million people in Britain are named Buckingham.

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

  • Andrew
  • Christopher
  • David
  • Ian
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Peter

Female

  • Elizabeth
  • Emma
  • Helen
  • Janet
  • Julie
  • Karen
  • Laura
  • Lisa
  • Margaret
  • Nicola
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

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

BritishSurnames.uk is a Good Stuff website.