Surname Hamme - Meaning and Origin
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Hamme: What does the surname Hamme mean?
The surname Hamme is of topographic origin, derived from the Old English word "hamm" meaning "water meadow", "low-lying land by a stream", or "enclosure”, which suggests that the original bearers of the name lived or worked in such a location. It is a locational name associated with a variety of places in England like Hamme in Wiltshire and Durham, and Hamm in Alkborough, Lincolnshire. There's also a town named Hamme in Belgium. Therefore, the surname could be referring to someone from these places. As with many surnames, over the years and centuries, variations in spelling have occurred, and related surnames include Hamm, Ham, Hammes, among others. The use of such identifiable surnames began to be necessary when governments introduced personal taxation, and throughout the centuries surnames in every country have continued to "develop", often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
Order DNA origin analysisHamme: Where does the name Hamme come from?
The surname Hamme is of German origin. It is mostly found in northern Germany and is derived from a geographical location meaning 'home' or 'village' in Old German. However, it may also be an occupational name for someone who worked with a hammer, as the term 'hamme' also refers to a hammer in Old German.
Hamme is also linked to a town in Belgium, hinting at a possible Dutch or Belgian origin in some cases. Hence, cross-border migration in the past might have resulted in the surname appearing in both these countries.
Today, it's most common in the United States, primarily in California and North Carolina, due to migration patterns. However, there is still a strong presence in its country of origin, Germany. It is also found, to a lesser extent, in countries such as Belgium and France. Despite the various geographical locations, the total population carrying the Hamme surname is relatively small, with less than ten thousand people estimated to have this last name worldwide.
Variations of the surname Hamme
The surname Hamme can have several variants, spellings, and related names due to evolving languages and regional changes over years. Some of the variations of this surname might include Hamm, Ham, Hamman, Hammen, Hammons, Hammes, Hames, Homme, and Hamma.
The surname has its roots in Old English, particularly from the word "ham" which means "homestead" or is referred to a specific location as in Ham in Surrey, or Wiltshire in England or Hamm in Westphalia, Germany. This implies that the name could be either of English or German origin.
Other variations from Germany include Hammel, Hammell, Hammelman or Hammels, and in Netherlands or Belgium; it may be found as van Hamme.
Additionally, the surname could also be anglicized from the Norwegian surname Hamar, the Swedish Hammar, or the Danish Hammel.
It's worth noting that the spelling can often change over generations due to different cultural practices, language barriers and phonetic translations. These factors contribute to a long list of variations, and each variant might have its own additional permutations.
Famous people with the name Hamme
- Jan Van Den Hamme: A Belgian novelist and comic book writer, known for series like Thorgal and XIII.
- David Van den Hamme: A Belgian cross country mountain biker.
- Eric Van den Hamme: A renowned Professor having expertise in international businesses.
- Maurice Hamme: An eminent Belgian Footballer who played during the early and mid-1900s.
- Van Hamme: While not a single person, the Van Hamme family is a prominent Belgian family involved in various fields including writing, academics, sports and more. Please note that the last name "Hamme" is relatively unique and not many famous people bear it. There could be well-known individuals with this surname in specific professional fields or locations. For example, there are undoubtedly accomplished doctors, lawyers, or professors with the last name "Hamme," but they would not be considered "famous" in the traditional celebrity sense.