Surname Elum - Meaning and Origin
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Elum: What does the surname Elum mean?
The surname Elum is of German origin, derived from the personal name Elom. This name is derived from the Old German words “el” and “holm”, which together mean “noble protector”. That noble protector could have been an important figure within the family or the community who provided protection and assistance.
The name is thought to have come to Germany during the Middle Ages when it was popular for people to give their children names reflecting important qualities. This is a common theme in German surnames, with adjectives often attached to a name. An example of this is the name Meier, which means “mayor”.
Elum immigrants to the United States often Anglicized their surname to ‘Evans’. The surname is now most commonly found in northern states like Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Illinois.
Since Elum is derived from Old German, it serves as a reminder of Germany's history. It's a reminder of the origins of many different families who have now spread across the world. The name now lives on in many different forms, but retains its historical meaning which is ‘noble protector’.
Order DNA origin analysisElum: Where does the name Elum come from?
The last name Elum is most commonly associated with African-American and Caribbean heritage. It has its origins in the pre-Civil War United States, when it was primarily used to refer to those with free African-American ancestry, with some ancestors traceable back to Haiti and other Caribbean nations. Today, Elum is seen primarily in those areas, and is most common in the South, Southeast, and Midwest regions of the United States. Specifically, Elum is associated with states like Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas.
Though Elum has African American origins, it is seen more broadly in other countries as well. For instance, the surname is seen in the French departments of Martinique and Guadeloupe due to French colonization. It is also seen among small populations throughout the Caribbean islands and in South America, especially Brazil and Venezuela.
Immigrants of African descent have also been known to bring the Elum name to many far-reaching places like Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and South Africa. It does not appear to be especially common in any particular place outside the US, but there are no doubt people bearing the Elum name in the corners of the world.
Variations of the surname Elum
The surname Elum is believed to have originated in the United Kingdom. It is thought to have derived from a British family name 'Ellum', which was derived from the Old English word 'ellum', meaning 'the alder tree'. Variants of this surname include Ellum, Ellim, Ellimm, Ellums, and Elloms.
Spelling variants of the surname Elum include: Ellem, Ellim, Ellomm, Elloms and Ellums. In addition, some variants have an additional letter “s” or “m”, such as Ellsm or Ellmm.
The surname Elum has a few modern surnames that can be linked to it. Examples include Hillam, Illom, Allom, and Ellam. These surnames are often found in the same areas of the UK as Elum, tracing their roots back to the same family tree.
The Elum surname has also spread to other nations around the world, including the United States and Canada. In the US and Canada, spelling variations such as Ellam, Illom, Hillam, Ellam, and Allom are commonly used by descendants of the Elum family.
The Elum name is likely to continue to evolve over time, resulting in new variations and spellings. Through DNA testing and genealogical research, individuals may be able to trace their family history and discover more variants of the same name.
Famous people with the name Elum
- Mitchell Elum, American soccer player and coach
- Oluwasegun Elum, Nigerian professional football player
- Johnson Elum, former NFL cornerback
- Zaree Elum, current NFL cornerback
- Mat Elum, American electronic musician
- George Elum, Nigerian football coach
- Kaisam Elum, retired English footballer
- Kendol Elum, English footballer
- Emeka Elum, Nigerian professional footballer
- Obinna Elum, Nigerian professional footballer
- Ikechukwu Elum, Nigerian professional footballer
- Emmanuel Elum, Nigerian professional football player
- Max Elum, American futures and commodity investor
- Augustus Elum Uko, Nigerian novelist