Surname Denholm - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
Denholm: What does the surname Denholm mean?
The last name Denholm is of Scottish origin. Derived from the small rural parish near Duns in Scotland on the English Border, Denholm is a habitational name that was given to families who lived in the area.
The name Denholm is thought to have originated from the Old English words ‘denu’ and ‘holme’ which together can mean ‘valley’ and ‘island’. This might indicate that the area in which the families lived was bordered by water, such as a river or lake. Alternatively the name could refer to 'the dwellers by the dene-holme', referring to a shallow ravine or dry valley.
The name is also thought to be connected to the famous Scottish Clan, Clan Denholm. Founded by Adam de Denum in the 12th century, clan Denholm was originally a powerful family of magnates with a strong presence across the Scottish Borders.
As the generations came and went, many of the Scottish Clan Denholm migrated across Scotland to create a complex network of kin and related families. Eventually this resulted in clans of families called ‘the Denholms’, all tracing their ancestry back to the original clan of Adam de Denum.
Today the last name Denholm is found mainly in parts of North America as a result of those who emigrated. Enjoying a resurgence in popularity in recent years and, the name is also known to be popular in Scotland, in particular in the Borders area.
Order DNA origin analysisDenholm: Where does the name Denholm come from?
The last name Denholm is most commonly found in Scotland. Originating from the former barony of Denholm, in the historic county of Roxburghshire, the last name likely developed through the local Feudal system of the 13th century.
Today, Denholm is a small Scottish village, located in the Scottish Borders area of southern Scotland. Denholm is located at the confluence of the rivers Teviot and Tweed, and sits on the border between Scotland and England.
The Denholm name can be found around the world today, mainly amongst families who have Scottish roots. It has a strong presence in the United States, with many Denholm’s settling in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New York.
Denholm has a presence in Canada and Australia too, with many Denholm families immigrating from Scotland to these parts of the world during the 19th and 20th centuries in search of opportunities.
The Denholm surname is also common in parts of Europe, including France, Belgium, Germany, and The Netherlands. The coincidence of a Denholm presence from Scotland to France, Germany, The Netherlands and more is a testament to the Denholm family’s international reach over the last century.
Variations of the surname Denholm
The surname Denholm is a Scottish surname that is usually spelled with double N’s although alternative spellings including Denholme, Denholms and Denholum exist. It is an habitational name derived from a region in the former district of East Lothian in Scotland, deriving from an Old English word meaning ‘encampment on the river’.
Variants of the surname Denholm include Denham, Denam, Denom, Denon, Denhamm, Denumm, Denman, Dehnom, Deenham, Deenam, Deenom, Deenon and Deenhamm. These may also appear in different spellings such as Venholm, Deynholm, Denuhlm, Denholme, Denoholm and Denohlm.
Surnames of the same origin as Denholm include Dunholme, Denholmn, Denholmme, Denolme, Denalme, Denhours, Denouse, Denholtn and Denhelmn. Other spellings could include Denolm, Denolme, Denhume, Denholrm, Denhams, Danholme, Denhamme, Denhom, Denholme and Denolums.
Denholm is a relatively uncommon surname but has spread across the United Kingdom and many other countries. Variants and other spellings are likely to exist in different countries especially in North America which has a large population of Scots-Irish descent.
Famous people with the name Denholm
- Buzz Denholm: a Scottish singer, musician and songwriter.
- Paul Denholm: an Australian politician.
- Josh Denholm: a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Scotland's Shetland Islands.
- Sam Denholm: an Australian hairdresser, professional makeup artist and hairstylist.
- Matthew Denholm: an Australian journalist.
- Donald Denholm: a Canadian politician.
- Ernie Denholm: a Scottish footballer who was registered with Raith Rovers.
- Alan Denholm: an Australian broadcaster and journalist.
- Duncan Denholm: an Australian former cricketer.
- Neil Denholm: a Scottish singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.