Surname Dillingham - Meaning and Origin

Dillingham: What does the surname Dillingham mean?

The surname Dillingham is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is an habitational name derived from a place in England. The place name Dillingham comes from the Old English personal name "Dylla" combined with the Old English term "ham," which means homestead or village. Therefore, the surname Dillingham could be translated to "homestead or village of Dylla's people." Like other English surnames, the name Dillingham would have been adopted by individuals who originally lived in or were associated with the place known as Dillingham. Despite its origin, the surname is now found more commonly in the United States than in England. The name reflects the linguistic and cultural legacy of the Anglo-Saxons, a group of Germanic tribes who migrated to what is now England in the early Middle Ages.

Dillingham: Where does the name Dillingham come from?

The last name Dillingham is of English origin. The name is a geographically derived surname that is believed to be associated with a place called Dilling in Oxfordshire, England. The term "ham" in Old English typically refers to a homestead, village, or manor, which suggests that the name might have identified families or individuals living in or near this location.

The Dillingham surname has a significant presence in the United States. It was carried to the New World by English settlers during the early years of the British colonization of America. Today, it is most common in the United States, particularly in the states of North Carolina, Georgia, Missouri, Tennessee, and Alaska. Dillingham, Alaska was named after Senator Paul Dillingham of Vermont in recognition of his service to the US government in the Alaska Purchase. The surname's presence can also be found in England and Australia, although with less frequency than in the United States. However, despite its distribution, Dillingham remains a relatively uncommon surname.

Variations of the surname Dillingham

The origin of the surname Dillingham is England and it is believed to descend from the villagers of Dillingham in the county of Cambridgeshire. Like many other English surnames, variations in spelling were common due to the evolution of language and changes in vernacular, phonetics, and accents over time.

The surname has been recorded in historical documents in various forms, the main variants and similar names being Dillingam, Dilingham, Dillingeham, Dyllingham, Dilnghm. Other less common variants include Dillyngham, Dilligham, Dyllinghm, Dillngham, Dillnghm, and Dillinghm.

There may also be versions replacing 'D' with 'T' or 'Th' to give 'Tillingham' or 'Thillingham' due to phonetic alterations. Additionally, the 'ham' end of the surname may be pronounced and spelled as 'hamm' or 'hame', leading to variations like Dillinghame.

Although Dillingham is not a very common surname, it is unlikely to be connected or share the origin with other surnames due to its unique locational derivation. The surname is mostly found in the United States, England, Canada, and Australia. Individuals bearing this surname can reliably trace their ancestry back to England.

Famous people with the name Dillingham

• Ben Dillingham: An American LGBT activist and politician, who was the first openly gay person to serve on the San Diego County Democratic Central Committee.
• Alfred Lee Dillingham: A prominent businessman from Hawaii, he served as the president of the Oahu Sugar Company and the Hawaiian Dredging Company.
• Walter F. Dillingham: A businessman and politician from Hawaii, he was the founder of the Hawaiian Dredging Company and a member of the Hawaii Territorial Senate.
• Benjamin Dillingham: A businessman known for founding the Oahu Railway & Land Company in the 19th century Hawaii.
• Emma Kauikeōlani Wilcox Dillingham: A noted Hawaiian musician and composer.
• Marion Dillingham: An American attorney who was the first woman to serve as a prosecutor in the United States.
• Charles E. Dillingham: An American theater producer during the early 20th century, known for producing more than 200 Broadway shows.
• Mike Dillingham: A former American football player who played for the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs.
• Ryan Dillingham: An American race car driver active in the 1990s.

Other surnames

DillingDillinger