Surname Braham - Meaning and Origin
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Braham: What does the surname Braham mean?
The last name Braham is of Dutch origin and can be found as an anglicised form of two Dutch surnames. One spelling of the name, Braam, is derived from the Dutch noun braam which translates to the blackberry bush, while the second spelling of the name, Braam/Braham is believed to be an attempt to Anglicise the Dutch personal name, Bram or Bramer, which is derived from the Old Germanic element, Brama meaning ‘brave’ or ‘fierce’.
As a surname, Braham can be linked to geographical locations of particular importance to families in Europe during the Middle Ages. Belgium, the Netherlands, and Northern Germany, among other regions, were all locations associated with the name. As a result, the Braham family would have embraced a wide variety of occupational roles throughout the centuries, including the building trades, farming and fishing, among others.
The most ancient record of the Braham family can be traced back to the early 1500s in the archives of St. Pieterskerk Church of Gouda, Holland. By this time, the name was already becoming anglicised, as the Braham family had been recorded in various spellings.
The Braham family has since spread to all corners of the world. From the Netherlands, the family moved to the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Australia, and continues to thrive today.
Order DNA origin analysisBraham: Where does the name Braham come from?
Braham is a surname of English origin. It is derived from the Old Norse word "Bravar," which means "settlement by the bridge" and is generally believed to refer to a crossing point over a waterway. According to genealogical records, the name Braham is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom and Italy. In the United Kingdom, this surname is particularly common in the counties of Kent, Somerset, and Hertfordshire. In Italy, Braham is most commonly found in the southern regions of Puglia and Calabria.
The surname Braham is also present in other parts of Europe such as Germany, Belgium, France, The Netherlands, and Spain. In North America, Braham is primarily a common family name in the United States, with most of the bearers hailing from the east coast. It is also found in parts of Canada, particularly in Ontario and Quebec.
In the U.S., those with the surname Braham can trace their roots back to immigrants from the countries in Europe in which the name is most common. In Canada, the history of Braham is slightly more complicated, with some individuals of this name tracing their heritage back to Scotland, while others may have roots in Irish and French-Canadian or Acadian populations.
In all, the surname Braham is found throughout Europe, North America, and other parts of the world with populations of people of English, French, Irish, and Scottish descent.
Variations of the surname Braham
Braham is a surname, typically of Jewish origin, meaning "as high as God". It is also known as Brahm, Brahms, Braam, Braamz, Braums, Brahams, Brahma, and Braumas.
The surname Braham may have derived from one of a number of sources. These include being a variant of Abraham, the oldest of the three patriarchs of the Israelites in the Bible, or as a nickname or sobriquet given to a person who was wise or a habitually religious person. The surname may also have come from a place name, such as Braunam, a parish in the Netherlands formerly known as Braam and Braham Castle, a village near Banbury, England.
The variants of this surname are numerous, both misspellings and true variants. Over time, variants of the name Brahm have arisen, both spelling variations and names derived from different origins. Some of these variant spellings include: Braam, Braamz, Braum, Braums, Brahms, Brahma, and Braumas.
The surname is most commonly found in England, Germany, Netherlands, Scotland, and North and South America. In the United States, the most frequently found variant of the name Braham is Brahma. This can be found in record books, with occurrences dating as far back as 1845.
Braham is a very old surname and can be traced through families for hundreds of years. Though there are numerous spelling variations, variants, and derivations, the surname has remained the same, providing a history and heritage for families of this surname to pass down for generations.
Famous people with the name Braham
- Matthew Braham: Producer, director, and animator who created the animated series The Deep.
- Billy Braham: American guitarist and singer-songwriter.
- Edward Braham: British aristocrat who was an officer during both World Wars.
- Max Braham: Austrian-born cinematographer and film editor.
- Ross Braham: Canadian-born actor best known for his leading role in the television series Sliders.
- Jody Braham: American football player who played in the NFL between 1996 and 2003.
- Franklyn Braham: Canadian singer and songwriter who released the chart-topping album Unforgettable in 1997.
- Samuel Braham: British-born biologist and ecologist who has worked on global climate change and conservation issues.
- Russell Braham: Retired film and television actor who appeared in dozens of roles throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
- Michael Braham: Award-winning English playwright and novelist who wrote the award-winning play The Homecoming.