Surname Lemmon - Meaning and Origin

Lemmon: What does the surname Lemmon mean?

The last name Lemmon primarily originates from British and Irish roots. It is a geographical surname derived from the ancient manor, Lemington, in the county of Northumberland, England. The name 'Lemington' translates to 'farmstead where elms grow' in Old English. Similarly, in Ireland, Lemmon is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname "Mac Giolla Mhin," which means “son of the follower of the gentle one.”

Over the centuries, there have been variations in the spelling due to changes in pronunciation, local dialect, poor literacy, and other factors. These variations include Lemman, Lemmon, Lemon, Limon, and several others. The last name Lemmon is known globally today, with bearers of the surname being found in places like the United States, Canada, and Australia. It's worth noting that one of the most popular bearers of this surname was American actor Jack Lemmon.

Therefore, as a surname, Lemmon does not have a specific meaning itself but serves as an identifier, often pointing to a family's geographical origin or denoting ancestral lineage.

Lemmon: Where does the name Lemmon come from?

The surname Lemmon is of Irish and English origin. In England, it's derived from a medieval personal name, "Lefman", composed of the elements "leof", meaning 'dear', 'beloved', and "mann", meaning 'man'. It can also be a variant of 'Lemon', a metonymic occupational name for a grower or seller of lemons. In Ireland, Lemmon, often spelt Lennon or Leonard, originates from the Gaelic name "O'Leannain", which possibly means "lover". The surname is common in counties Galway and Kerry.

In the U.S., the surname Lemmon is well-distributed across the states, albeit more common in some parts than others. According to data from White Pages, the last name Lemmon is most prevalent in Utah and least common in Hawaii. There are over 8,000 people in the U.S. with this last name with the highest number found in the state of Utah.

Worldwide, there are approximately 16,355 people who bear the Lemmon surname. The largest number is found in the United States, while it is the least common in France. Other countries where the surname Lemmon is common include England, Australia, Canada, and South Africa.

Variations of the surname Lemmon

The surname Lemmon can have several variations and spellings, often resulting from regional dialects, different countries of origin, or simple misspellings over time. These include Lemon, Lemmon, Leman, Lemmen, Lemmones, Leamon, Leeman, Leemen, Lemond, Lemont, Lemmons, Lemonds, and Limon.

The surname could be of English, French or Dutch origin. The English versions are often derived from the medieval English personal name "Lefman," itself coming from an Olde English pre 7th century word "Leofman," which means "beloved man". In French, it could have evolved from the word 'Limon' meaning 'the deep part of a mine or well'.

Some surnames like Lemming, Lemmens or Lemmings could also have connection to Lemmon. Similarly, the surname Lemon could have evolved into Lemmon in some cases due to colloquial pronunciation.

Further some unique variations can come into play in different countries due to language differences. In Dutch speaking regions, for example, the surname Lemoine could be a variant.

It's also worth noting that the aforementioned variations, could also serve as surnames on their own with their own separate derivations, it's not necessary that they must have evolved from 'Lemmon'.

Famous people with the name Lemmon

• Jack Lemmon: Jack Lemmon was an American actor who starred in a number of classic films including Some Like It Hot, The Fortune Cookie, and The Apartment. He won two Academy Awards for his work.
• Chris Lemmon: Chris Lemmon is an American actor and the son of Jack Lemmon. He has appeared in films such as Short Circuit, Nine to Five, and She's Out of Control.
• Harry Lemmon: Harry Lemmon was the brother of Jack Lemmon and was also an actor. He appeared in such films as The Fortune Cookie and The Great Race.
• Danny Lemmon: Danny Lemmon is a former American basketball player who played in the NBA from 1980-1985.
• Deirdre Lemmon: Deirdre Lemmon is a contemporary American novelist who has written a number of books for both adults and children.
• Ann Lemmon: Ann Lemmon was an American painter active in the mid-twentieth century. She primarily painted landscapes and floral still lifes.
• Tyler Lemmon: Tyler Lemmon is an American actor and singer who has appeared in television shows and movies such as Switched at Birth and Men of a Certain Age.
• Robert Lemmon: Robert Lemmon is a contemporary American landscape painter. He has exhibited his work in galleries across the United States.
• Charles Lemmon: Charles Lemmon was a contemporary American film composer and arranger. He has composed music for films such as The Hunger Games: Mockingjay: Part 1 and Deadpool.
• Paul Lemmon: Paul Lemmon was a former professional hockey player. He was a part of the Detroit Red Wings organization during their 1955 Stanley Cup winning season.

Other surnames

LemmondLemmondsLemmons