Surname Depham - Meaning and Origin
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Depham: What does the surname Depham mean?
The surname Depham is of English origin. It is a habitational name derived from a place called Dunham, located in Lincolnshire. The place name itself is derived from the Old English words dun and ham, which means a hill, or low-lying meadow surrounded by hills. The surname Depham can also have other meanings, such as from the town of Deopham in central Norfolk.
The name was first found in Lincolnshire where they were anciently seated as Lords of the Manor. The family name is found in many documents of that period, and one of the first records was William de Dunham in 1188, recorded in the Book of Fees. The family was also found in nearby Cheshire, where they were seated from very ancient times, some say as far back as the reign of King Canute in 1017.
In modern times, the surname Depham is mainly found in the United Kingdom. People who bear the name can be found in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, as well as other countries around the world. People of the Depham surname have historically bee known for their flexibility, intelligence, resourcefulness, endurance, and loyalty.
Order DNA origin analysisDepham: Where does the name Depham come from?
The surname Depham is commonly found throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. Specifically, Depham is most commonly found in the East Anglia region of England, where the name is believed to have originated. It is also common in the neighbouring counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent and Essex.
Depham is a topographical surname which means 'someone from Depham'. Before the 10th century, Depham was mostly a minor settlement located in Norfolk, England and less than a mile away from the historical market town of Downham Market. Depham was known for its rustic beauty.
The surname, however, is not limited to the region of East Anglia. It is found throughout other parts of the United Kingdom, especially in the larger cities of London, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow.
The surname is also found in clusters in Australia, specifically in New South Wales, Victoria and New Zealand. The surname is also scattered throughout the United States and Canada.
Depham is not a particularly common surname, but it is still found in most of the English speaking countries throughout the world.
Variations of the surname Depham
The surname Depham is believed to have originated from the early old English word 'dep', which meant 'deep'. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for this surname include Deepham, Deppam, Deptam, Deppham, Depenham, Deppenham, Dippam, Dippenham and Dippham.
It is possible that people with this surname may have worked in occupations related to the sea, such as fishermen or merchants. This would be in line with the meaning of the word 'dep' being connected to a physical depth, like that of the sea.
The surname is also believed to derive from the location of Depham in Norfolk, England which was first recorded in the Domesday Book in 1086. The location was derived from the Old English 'doep hām' which means 'deep homestead'. The earliest instances of this spelling can be found in the 14th century when it described a person from Depham.
The patronymic surname form Depham is also found in some cases, believed to mean 'son of Depham'. It is also possible that some people descended from those born in Depham that may have adopted different variations of the surname to separate themselves from the rest of the family.
The spelling of this surname can vary depending on the time period or country the family has lived in. The name has also been found in the variants Deppham, Dippam and Dipham. The spelling of this name has changed over time, as often happens with surnames, as people moved around and adapted the name to their local dialect.
Famous people with the name Depham
- Chad DePham: an American professional ice hockey player, playing for the San Jose Barracuda in the American Hockey League.
- Michael DePham: a former American football running back in the National Football League who ran for the Chicago Bears.
- LeAnn DePham: a Canadian television actress known for her roles in the series Bo, Dark Angel, Supernatural, and The Magicians.
- John DePham: a British record producer and composer of film scores, video games and albums.
- Paul DePham: a retired American professional basketball player who played five seasons in the NBA for multiple teams.
- Peter DePham: an American stage and film actor, best known for his portrayal of various governors in several movies.
- Kym DePham: a British actress who appeared in TV shows such as the BBC crime series June Jones.
- Joseph DePham: a former United States Marine who was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions during the Vietnam War.
- Gigi DePham: an Indonesian-born singer, songwriter, and actress, best known for singing the popular debut single “Love of a Thousand Years”.
- Cassandra DePham: an American Olympic athlete and NCAA champion in track and field.