Surname Dame - Meaning and Origin
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Dame: What does the surname Dame mean?
The last name Dame is of French origin and dates back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Latin root ‘dominus’ which translates to ‘master’ or ‘lord’. This reflects the feudal class system at the time, where a dignitary would be granted the distinction of ‘dame’ by the ruling class.
Throughout the centuries, the last name Dame has been found in various guises across Europe. During the Early Modern period, it could be seen across France, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Spain. These countries also gave us its varying modern spelling forms, such as Dam, Damm, Daem, and Damez.
The name has been perpetuated throughout the generations, with examples found in the past and present-day records. It has been noted in the UK at least from the 16th century, and remains quite popular today in both Europe and North America.
A notable bearer of the name Dame is Dame Nellie Melba, the oft-referenced Australian opera singer active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Other famous bearers of the surname Dame include former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and Jacki Weaver, an actress from Australia, whose career is documented in films such as Silver Linings Playbook.
All told, the surname Dame is a proud title held by many across centuries and continents. It carries with it the historical weight of an esteemed social position, and today, is a symbol of hardworking people who have achieved fame, recognition and success.
Order DNA origin analysisDame: Where does the name Dame come from?
The last name Dame is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. It is considered to be derived from an old Norman-French word meaning “lord”, and is thought to have possibly come from people who served in a lord's household. It is discernible in ancient English records going back more than 750 years.
In the UK, the surname is among the top 3,000 most common family names. It is most prevalent in the county of Lancashire in northwest England, but is found scattered across the country. Other places where it occurs frequently in the UK are the counties of Essex, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Sussex, Cambridgeshire, Oxfordshire, and Kent. In recent years, there has also been a growing number of people with the surname Dame across the former British colonies, including India, Ireland, and Australia.
The spelling of Dame can vary from place to place. The name might be found spelt as ‘Dame’, ‘Daim’, ‘Dayma’, and ‘Dairman’, to name a few. It may also appear as an alternate spelling like ‘Dames’, ‘Daimes’, and ‘Damm’.
Today, the last name Dame is commonly seen as an honorific title conferred on someone, usually a woman, who has been recognised for their commitment, bravery, skill and dedication to their duties.
Variations of the surname Dame
The surname Dame has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
One variant is the spelling variations ‘Dames’ and ‘Damme’, which are both pronounced the same as Dame.
A popular alternative spelling is ‘D'Amme’. This version is derived from the French version of the surname, where the spelling is sometimes found with an accent or apostrophe. This spelling is also seen in Spanish, where ‘de Dame’ and ‘de Damme’ are common spellings.
Surnames with the same origins are also found in other countries. ‘Dams’ and ‘Dam’ are common Dutch variants, while ‘Dam’ is a common German variant. Elsewhere, ‘Daus’ can be found in Japan, ‘Damas’ in Brazil, ‘Damsgård’ in Norway, ‘Đạm’ in Vietnam, ‘Damico’ in Italy, and ‘Damevski’ in Bulgaria.
There are also variations of the surname Dame in the United States, where immigration has introduced a number of foreign-language spellings. These can include ‘Deme’, ‘Deime’, ‘Dee’, ‘Daues’, ‘Dumas’, ‘Daymes’, ‘Demasi’, and ‘Diama’.
Overall, the surname Dame has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The variations in spelling reflect the geographic diversity of the surname as well as its migration over time.
Famous people with the name Dame
- Dame Helen Mirren: an Academy Award-winning English actress
- Dame Maggie Smith: an Academy Award-winning English actor best known for her roles in “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” and “Harry Potter”
- Dame Julie Andrews: an Academy Award-winning English actress best known for her musical roles in “The Sound of Music” and “Mary Poppins”
- Dame Judi Dench: an Academy Award-winning English actress known for her roles in the James Bond films, “Shakespeare in Love”, and “Philomena”
- Dame Kristin Scott Thomas: an English actress known for her roles in “Four Weddings and a Funeral”, “The English Patient”, and “Gosford Park”
- Dame Kelly Holmes: an Olympic and European double gold-medallist in athletics
- Dame Julie Walters: an Academy Award-nominated English actress known for her roles in “Billy Elliot” and “Mamma Mia!”
- Dame Shirley Bassey: a Grammy award-winning Welsh singer who has performed the theme songs for three James Bond films
- Dame Evelyn Glennie: a Scottish musician specialising in percussion and the first person in history to make a full-time living as a solo percussionist
- Dame Joan Sutherland: an Australian opera singer who is renowned for her technical mastery and extraordinary range of coloratura soprano roles