Surname Lathom - Meaning and Origin

Lathom: What does the surname Lathom mean?

The surname Lathom is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English pre-7th century word ‘lath’ meaning 'a steep side of a valley or ravine'. The word became ‘Lethum’, or ‘Lathom’ and hence the surname. Lathom's can be found in numerous parts of Britain including Lancashire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire, West Yorkshire, Staffordshire and Leicestershire.

Historically, Lathom has been part of many different dialects and classifications of England, including Old English, Middle English and Modern English. In Lancashire and Cheshire, the variations ‘lathom’ and ‘lathome’ were often found.

In more contemporary times, the surname has continued to be held by many families, with some branches remaining in mainly the same region for centuries. In many cases, the spelling has changed to include ‘Lotham’ or ‘Lowtham’.

There is also a place in north-west England called Lathom. The village is located near the town of Ormskirk in Lancashire and dates back the 11th century. This is likely where the Lathom surname originated.

The Lathom surname can also be found in the United States, in specific states such as Pennsylvania and Illinois. This may have been due to the English immigrants moving over to the US in search of a new life and better opportunities.

Overall, the surname Lathom is likely to have originated from a place name, and it also suggests the person who first adopted it was from a ravine or steep sided valley. The name continues to be held in many countries, likely passed down from generations of English ancestry.

Lathom: Where does the name Lathom come from?

The last name Lathom is most commonly associated with Oldham, England and the surrounding areas. This name has a link to the old Lathom House, a great Elizabethan mansion built in 1535 by Thomas Stanley, the Earl of Derby. Historians believe that this place had strong connections to the royal family and Lathom is believed to have been the name of an area of land around the house.

Today, there is still a small community of people living in the area who share the surname Lathom though their numbers are not what they used to be. The name is also still present in countries such as Ireland, Canada, and Australia. As a testimony to its past popularity, it is also used as a given name in some areas of England.

If you search for "Lathom surname" you will get a variety of results. Depending on the country and region you look in, the results will vary as does the presence of the surname Lathom across the world. Nevertheless, if you are looking for people with the same last name, especially in England, you are likely to find them.

Variations of the surname Lathom

Lathom is a surname of English origin. It is believed to have descended from a place name in the county of Lancashire. The variants, spellings, and alternate surnames that are of the same origin include:

Lathom, Latom, Laythom, Laytham, Lathome, Laythome, Latton, Leythom, Levthom, Letham, and Latham.

Lathom is derived from the Old English words 'leae,' meaning a meadow or pasture, and 'thom,' meaning a marsh. The meaning of the surname, in short, is 'marsh meadow.'

Variants of the surname include Latom, Laytham, Laythom, Laythome, Latton, Leytem, Leythom, and Levthom. All of these spellings all originated from the same root and share the same meaning.

Some languages, such as Spanish, have surnames derived from the same root, such as Letam and Letham. Latham, who is a variant spelling of Lathom, is the former name of the town of Layton, near Blackpool.

Other surnames of the same origin are Lathem, Lathim, Lathin, and Lathum. These are from Scotland and Ireland, and they all have the same meaning and can trace their roots back to the same place.

In conclusion, the surname Lathom has numerous variants, spellings, and alternate surnames all deriving from the same place and having the same meaning.

Famous people with the name Lathom

• Luke Lathom: musician, actor and songwriter known for his work on the animated television series The Weekenders.
• Baron Lathom of Lathom House: was an English peer and nobleman who was the owner of Lathom House in Lancashire.
• David Lathom: an American actor and writer who is best known for his work in television shows such as One Day at a Time and The King of Queens.
• Michael Lathom: British composer and pianist best known for his work on numerous film scores.
• Philip Lathom: English barrister and politician of the seventeenth century.
• Margaret Lathom: a British actress and voice actress who worked extensively in cinema and theatre.
• Neville Lathom: former English professional footballer who predominantly played in midfield.
• John Lathom: a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence and a companion of George Washington.
• Sir Charles Lathom: British, colonialist and lawyer who served as governor of the Bahamas from 1744 to 1752.
• Richard Lathom: British politician and author who served as a Member of Parliament for various constituencies.

Other surnames

Lathomus