Surname Nunn - Meaning and Origin
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Nunn: What does the surname Nunn mean?
The name Nunn is of Anglo-Saxon origin and primarily found in the Eastern counties of England. The surname is derived from the Old English pre 7th Century word "nunne", which means a "nun" or "anchorite". However, it was mostly used as a nickname not for someone with particularly religious inclinations, but likely for someone who played the part of a nun in a medieval pageant or show, or for someone with a quiet, nun-like disposition. It could be also a metonymic occupational name for someone who worked at a convent, from the Middle Low German term "nonne" which means "nun". Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation, and throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to unfold and expand, often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.
Order DNA origin analysisNunn: Where does the name Nunn come from?
The last name Nunn is especially common today in the United Kingdom, specifically in England. Nunn is a more popular name in the North and Midlands with numbers of lineage holders concentrated more densely around those areas. It is also fairly common in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US.
In the UK, the Nunn surname is considered to be of Anglo-Saxon origin, meaning "son of the nun". Nuns in those times usually hailed from strong influential families and were prominent landholders who passed down their name to their descendants. Thus, many of the surnames which are based on the Nun family name today can be traced back to England.
In the US, Nunn is most popular in the state of Utah, with a concentration of Nunn holders in the Salt Lake City and surrounding regions. It is also common in the southern states of Georgia and Alabama.
The Nunn name is popular worldwide and, in addition to the countries previously mentioned, is also present in Ireland, South Africa, and many other parts of the globe. It is a timeless surname that will continue to pass on from generation to generation for many more years to come.
Variations of the surname Nunn
The surname Nunn is a toponymic name derived from the Middle English word “nunne”, meaning “new” or “novel”. This surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin and can be found throughout Britain, mainly in the Midlands and East Anglia.
Variants and spellings of this surname include Noon, Nun, Nunne, Nonne, N'ton and Nton. In Scotland, the spelling of the name was changed to Nunnan and in Ireland the spelling Nuun. Another variant of the surname can also be found in the United States, which is spelled Nutt.
Surnames of a similar origin and pronunciation include Nunneley, Nunney and Nungey. Nunney and Nungey are believed to be derived from the Old English personal name “nofn” while Nunneley is a combination of “nunne” and “leah”, which translates to “clearing of a lake”.
Other surnames of the same origin are Nunne Django, Nunne Gander, Nunnery, Nunneling and Nunns. Nunns is a variant of Nunn that is more commonly found in England and Scotland. Nunnery is also a variant of Nunn, and is primarily found in the United States. Nunne Gander is derived from Nunn and is primarily found in France. Lastly, Nunne Django is derived from Nunn and is mainly found in Scotland.
Famous people with the name Nunn
- Sam Nunn: Sam Nunn is an American politician who served four terms as a United States Senator from Georgia (1972–1997). He was the Democratic Party's nominee for Vice President in 1996.
- Tracey Nunn: Tracey Nunn is a British television presenter, best known for her role as host of The X Factor.
- Terry Nunn: Terry Nunn is an American singer-songwriter who was the lead vocalist of British New Wave band Berlin from 1980 to 1998.
- Dick Nunn: Dick Nunn is a former Major League Baseball player who played for the Oakland Athletics, Kansas City Royals, and Cleveland Indians.
- Trent Nunn: Trent Nunn is an American actor, writer, and producer who is best known for co-writing the Academy Award-winning film Free Willy and its three sequels.
- Billy Nunn: Billy Nunn is an American actor who has appeared in films such as Set It Off and The Green Mile.
- Daniel Nunn: Daniel Nunn is a British actor who appeared in films such as The Descent and Attack the Block.
- Sarah Nunn: Sarah Nunn is an Australian singer and actress, most notably a past winner of the television series The X Factor Australia.
- Bonnie Nunn: Bonnie Nunn is an American chef and restaurateur, best known for her popular Kansas City restaurant, Gioia's Pizzeria.