Surname Edgecomb - Meaning and Origin

Edgecomb: What does the surname Edgecomb mean?

The surname Edgecomb is believed to be of English origin, derived from a geographical locality. It is a compound of two Old English words - "ecg" meaning "edge" or "ridge" and "cumb" meaning "valley" or "combe". So, the last name Edgecomb can be interpreted to mean "dweller by the valley with a ridge" or "living on the edge of the valley". This likely referred to a person who lived in a geographical location matching this description. The surname has various spellings including Edgecombe, Edgecome, Edgcomb, and Edgcumbe, among others. This is common with surnames derived from geographical features, as pronunciation and spelling often changed over time and distance. Like many other surnames, this one would have served to identify a person's origins, residency, or to differentiate between those with the same first name in the same locale.

Edgecomb: Where does the name Edgecomb come from?

The surname Edgecomb is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from a place in Devonshire, England called Edgecombe. The name translates to "edge of a valley." It was often given to those living near such a geographical feature in the old English period.

The name began spreading through England during the Middle Ages and then moved across to the other parts of the British Commonwealth through migration during the 17th century. This includes countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and particularly the United States, due to British colonization.

Today the surname Edgecomb is not particularly common anywhere. However, there is a slight presence in the United States especially in the east coast and in England, mostly Devonshire. Many people with this surname can also be found in Canada and Australia. The rarity of the name makes it difficult to pinpoint a specific region where it's prevalent.

Variations of the surname Edgecomb

The surname Edgecomb has numerous variants and spellings, which reflect the various ways it may have been phonetically interpreted and transcribed over time. These variations can include Edgecombe, Edgcombe, Edgcomb, Edgcom, Edgecom, Edgcoom, Edgecoomb, and Edscombe.

Edgecomb is a habitational name hailing from England, specifically from a place near Milton Abbot in Devon named Edgecombe, which translates to "edge of a valley" in Old English ("ecg" meaning "edge" and "cumb" meaning "valley").

Spellings can also vary due to regional accents and the evolution of language over time. In Britain, surnames began to be standardized only in the 19th and 20th centuries, hence the numerous variations of Edgecomb. Even today, it is not uncommon to see the name spelled differently within the same family.

Surnames with potentially the same origin due to a similar meaning or geographical association might include Edgevalley, Ridgecombe, or Edgehill. However, it should be remembered that surnames evolved independently in many areas, and so similarity in spelling or meaning does not always indicate a common origin.

Famous people with the name Edgecomb

• Claudia Mae Edwards Edgecomb: Claudia is an Arlington native who was inducted into the Arlington's Sports Hall of Honor in 2016. She has been involved in ladies softball for more than 50 decades both as a player and a coach.
• Reginald "Reggie" Edgecombe: Reggie was an English professional footballer who played as a centre-forward. He played for Southampton in 1948.
• Thomas Bowman Edgecomb: Thomas was a notable English cleric in the 20th century, holding the position of Chaplain to the Bishop of Winchester from 1952 to 1964, as well as being Archdeacon of Berkshire until 1976.
• Henry Edgecomb: Henry was an American politician from the state of Maryland. He served in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1971 to 1979 and the Maryland Senate from 1979 to 1995.
• Edgecomb Barret: Edgecomb is an American film and television actor, best known for his role in the movie Police Academy 2. While not a lot of globally recognized famous figures bear the surname Edgecomb, these are some individuals who have made significant contributions in their respective fields.

Other surnames

Edgecombe