Surname Lams - Meaning and Origin
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Lams: What does the surname Lams mean?
The last name Lams is generally believed to be of Dutch and Germanic origin. Although the exact origin of the name is unclear, it is thought to have derived from the Old German words 'lam' meaning "splendid" and 'lant' meaning "land". The combined meaning of the name therefore is approximate to a "splendid land" or "fine land".
Throughout history, the name has been associated with prosperity, abundance, and success. It perhaps served as an indication of good fortune and a reminder of prosperous lands. Since the Middle Ages, the name has been used to refer to the successful construction of towns, and even today, many people associate the name Lams with a prosperous and rewarding lifestyle.
The name Lams is also popular for its symbolic meaning, being derived from the Germanic words "Lamm" and "Landsknecht", meaning "lamb" and "soldier" respectively. Combined, the name may refer to one who is as gentle as a lamb, but with the heart and courage of a soldier.
In modern day, the name Lams is still popular and still carries the same significance that it did all those years ago. Each family bearing the name has its own unique sense of pride and nobility based on the strength, prosperity and success that has long been associated with the name.
Order DNA origin analysisLams: Where does the name Lams come from?
The last name Lams is most often associated with the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders, located in the northern part of Belgium. However, it is not exclusively a Flemish name and is commonly found in other parts of the world. It is encountered in English speaking countries such as Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States, as well as other European countries like France, Germany and the Netherlands.
The exact etymology of the name is unclear. One theory suggests the name is derived from the Old Dutch words ‘lams’ or ‘lam’, meaning a lamb or a light-skinned person. It could also have originated as a nickname describing someone with a particularly gentle personality, or from a Flemish location such as Laams.
In the United States, Lams is primarily a Pennsylvania Dutch name that became popular in the 18th and 19th centuries as many Flemish immigrants moved to Pennsylvania. It is one of the most common Dutch surnames in the state today. The surname is also found among the Amish and Mennonites in the region, as various Flemish families settled there throughout the 1800s.
Outside of Pennsylvania, the surname is most common in the Midwest, Southwest and West Coast of the United States. Interestingly, it has become increasingly popular in Texas and California, states that are not typically associated with a large Dutch presence. Furthermore, it is still strongly represented in Belgium and the Netherlands today.
Variations of the surname Lams
The surname Lams (also spelled Lam, Lamme, Laams, Lammes, Lammez) has several variants and spellings that all derive from the same origin.
The beginnings of this surname may be traced back to the ancient Germanic personal name 'Lambert', which originates from the elements 'land' and 'beraht' meaning 'renowned land'. Over subsequent generations, the name has been anglicised and also adapted into other forms throughout Europe.
In the Netherlands, the variants Lam and Lammes are both widely-used spellings and along with Laams, are also popular in Belgium. In Germany, the surname is typically spelled Lamme and Lammez, whilst variation Lam is the main spelling found in France.
In the United States, the majority of people with the Lams surname arrived from Germany and the Netherlands; as a result, common variations of the name are Lam, Lamme, Lammes, Lammez and Laams, and possibly a number of other spelling variants.
In the United Kingdom, the surname Bears the English variation of Lam, although variants located in other counties such as Scotland and Ireland may spell the name differently.
The original form of the name is no doubt coincides with its homeland of origin, so one should look for variations of the name when searching for its meaning and, if applicable, its roots in other countries.
Famous people with the name Lams
- Nathalie Lams: Belgian actress and singer.
- Pepijn Lams: Dutch journalist, comedian, and television presenter.
- Niels Lams: Dutch long-distance runner.
- Daniël Lams: Belgian footballer.
- Geert Lams: Belgian football player.
- Yannick Lams: Belgian actor and comedian.
- Grazie Lams: Actor and sound editor.
- Elsemieke Lams: Dutch news presenter and television personality.
- Nathalie Lams: Belgian actress and singer.
- Carole Lams: Professional racer and celebrity.
- Maurice Lams: Belgian football manager.
- Alice Lams: Belgian drug smuggler.
- Neil Lams: British creative director, filmmaker, and artist.
- Jacky Lams: Dutch coach and radio broadcaster.
- Giang Lams: Vietnamese rapper and songwriter.
- Chris Lams: American actor, composer, and musician.
- Jonathan Lams: Canadian artistic director, playwright, and poet.
- Dennis Lams: Dutch photographer and videographer.
- Kevin Lams: Dutch football player.
- Wil Lams: Dutch writer and poet.