WADHAM
Wadham
The surname Wadham has historic roots in England and is associated with the county of Somerset. It is believed to be of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English personal name "Wada" and the word "ham," which means home or settlement. The name Wadham is primarily found in the south-western regions of England, particularly in Somerset and Devon.
The Wadham family is well-documented in English history, with notable figures such as Nicholas Wadham (1531-1609), a wealthy landowner and co-founder of Wadham College, Oxford. Nicholas and his wife Dorothy Wadham (née Petre) founded the college in 1610 with the intention of providing education to the youth from Somerset and Devon.
The Wadham surname has endured over the centuries, with bearers of the name making their mark in various fields such as academia, politics, and business. The family motto "eadem mensura" which translates to "an equal measure" reflects the values of fairness and equality that the Wadham family is known for.
Today, descendants of the Wadham family can still be found across the United Kingdom and beyond, carrying on the legacy of this venerable surname. The name Wadham continues to hold significance both historically and culturally, embodying a rich heritage of scholarship, philanthropy, and community spirit.
There are approximately 679 people named Wadham in the UK. That makes it roughly the 9,916th most common surname in Britain. Around ten in a million people in Britain are named Wadham.
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Anthony
- David
- Ian
- James
- Jd
- John
- Jonathan
- Mark
- Matthew
- Michael
- Nicholas
- Paul
- Scott
Female
- Claire
- Deborah
- Emma
- Hannah
- Jennifer
- Julie
- Karen
- Pamela
- Pauline
- Sarah
- Susan