Popham

The surname Popham has its roots in English and is associated with several notable individuals and families throughout British history. The name is believed to have originated from the village of Popham in Hampshire, England, or possibly from the Old English personal name "Poppa," combined with the word "ham," meaning home or settlement.

Historical Significance
One of the prominent figures bearing the surname Popham is Sir John Popham (1531-1607), who served as the Lord Chief Justice of England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Sir John Popham played a key role in the legal system of the time and presided over notable trials, including that of Sir Walter Raleigh.

Military Connections
The Popham family has also had members associated with the British military. Admiral Sir Home Riggs Popham (1762-1820) was a distinguished naval officer who played a crucial role in British naval operations during the Napoleonic Wars. He was instrumental in capturing the Cape Colony and the Dutch East Indies.

Legacy
The Popham surname continues to be present in British society today, carried by individuals across various professions and locations. The name symbolises a blend of legal, military, and possibly agricultural heritage, reflecting the diverse paths taken by different branches of the Popham family over the centuries.

Typical given names associated with the Popham surname

Male

  • Christopher
  • David
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Peter
  • Philip
  • Richard
  • Robin
  • Stephen
  • William

Female

  • Claire
  • Emma
  • Gillian
  • Hannah
  • Joanne
  • Karen
  • Laura
  • Lisa
  • Louisa
  • Margaret
  • 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.

How to communicate the surname Popham in...

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There are approximately 966 people named Popham in the UK. That makes it roughly the 7,560th most common surname in Britain. Around 15 in a million people in Britain are named Popham.

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

The Genealogist - UK census, BMDs and more online

Famous people named Popham

  • Robert Brooke-Popham - Senior commander in the Royal Air Force, previously served in the Royal Flying Corps (1878 to 1953)
  • Home Riggs Popham - Royal Navy admiral (1762 to 1820)
  • Arthur E. Popham - Art historian (1889 to 1970)
  • Reginald Popham - (1892 to 1975)
  • Stephen Popham - Politician (1745 to 1795)

Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.

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