Headlam

The surname Headlam is of English origin, primarily found in the northeast of England. The name is locational, deriving from the village of Headlam in County Durham. The village's name is believed to have originated from the Old Norse words "heithr," meaning heather, and "hlam," meaning a clearing. Therefore, the name Headlam likely referred to a settlement by a heather-covered meadow.

The Headlam family can trace its lineage back to medieval times, with records showing the surname present in various historical documents such as parish registers, census records, and manorial rolls. Notable individuals bearing the surname include Thomas Emerson Headlam, a 19th-century British Liberal politician and clergyman known for his social reform advocacy.

The Headlam surname has spread beyond its original location to other parts of the United Kingdom and overseas through migration and colonial expansion. Variants of the name may include Hedlam, Headley, and Hedley.

Today, individuals with the surname Headlam can be found across the globe, with many still residing in their ancestral homeland of England. The name carries with it a sense of history and connection to the northeast region of the country.

There are approximately 328 people named Headlam in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around five in a million people in Britain are named Headlam.

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

  • Anthony
  • Christopher
  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Laurence
  • Mernel
  • Michael
  • Nicholas
  • Robert
  • Robin
  • Ryan

Female

  • Elizabeth
  • Elspeth
  • Hyacinth
  • Jacqueline
  • Jane
  • Katherine
  • Kathleen
  • Lisa
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Michelle
  • Rebecca
  • Sarah

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.