Surname Slocum - Meaning and Origin

A Stroll Down Memory Lane: Unraveling the Slocum Legacy Through my iGENEA DNA Test

Undertaking an iGENEA DNA test unveiled the riveting historical and cultural journey of my Slocum ancestors. Tracing back to their likely origins in England in the 13th century, through migration to America, and evidencing their encounters with Vikings, this exploration into my roots painted a remarkable portrait of resilience and exploration.

Z. Slocum

Slocum: What does the surname Slocum mean?

The surname Slocum is of English origin and derived from an Anglo-Saxon locational name, specifically from Slocombe in Somerset or Slowcombe in Devon. The name itself translates to "valley dweller" or "valley's hollow," from the Old English words 'slah' (valley or hollow) and 'cumb' (narrow valley). This name was typically given to those who lived near or in such geographical features. Its variants include Slocombe, Slocomb, Slocumb, and others. Like many other surnames, Slocum would have been used to identify individuals based on their dwelling place in medieval times when it first originated. The name belongs to a broader category of surnames known as topographic surnames.

Slocum: Where does the name Slocum come from?

The last name Slocum is most commonly found today in the United States and Canada. In the United States, Slocum is a relatively uncommon name, ranking as the 1,680th most common name in the country according to the 2019 United States Census. The highest concentration of people with the name Slocum tend to be in the Northeastern region, particularly in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York. In Canada, Slocum is even less common. According to 2019 Canadian Census data, Slocum is the 5,262nd most popular name in the country. That being said, there are still a few provinces where the name is relatively more prevalent. The highest concentration of Slocums can be found in Ontario, specifically in the city of Toronto. Although the last name Slocum is not exceedingly common in either the United States or Canada, there are still pockets of high concentration in various regions across the two countries.

Variations of the surname Slocum

The surname Slocum has a few variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of these variations include Slocomb, Slocumbe, and Slocombe. A few other variations of the name come from different countries such as Slocombe in England or Slowcum in Germany.

The Slocum name is believed to be of English origin. It can be traced back to the 12th century when the English had a name for their tenant farmers or 'villeins', they were known as Slocums. Slocum is derived from the Old English words 'sloh' and 'cumb' which together mean 'muddy valley'. This name likely referred to someone who maintained or worked in a valley.

It is believed that the surname spread to different countries, particularly those in Europe during medieval times. This could be the reason for the variations of the name, such as Slowcum, which is German. In some cases, the 'b' appearing as 'bb' may have been added to the name, giving us the name Slocomb.

In some cases, one may find the name spelled as 'Slocom'. This could be a variation of the name Slocombe, which has been found in parts of Scotland and the North of England.

The variation of the spelling may have been simply down to a change of location, with a different region adopting their own variant of the original name. In some cases, though, the last letter may have been reversed simply because of an error at some point in time which has been perpetuated by mistake to this day.

Overall, the surname Slocum and the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin are all believed to be of English origin and were likely adopted into other countries during medieval times.

Famous people with the name Slocum

• H.J. Slocum, Jr., American Basketball Coach
• Sydney Slocum, American Actress
• Henry Stanwood, American Historian and Author
• Slocum Riley, American Football Player
• Kathy Slocum, American Softball Player
• Slocum Gibbs, American Biologist
• Slocum Brown, American Educator and Writer
• David Slocum, American Physicist
• Tiffany Slocum, American Neuroscientist
• Stephen Slocum, American Businessman
• Richard Slocum, American Astronomer
• Robert Slocum, American Mathematician
• Margaret Slocum, American Geographer
• Alexander Slocum, American Mechanical Engineer
• John Slocum, American Tribal Chief
• Lauren Slocum, American Conservationist
• Claire Slocum, American Physicist
• Tana Slocum, American Space Engineer
• Cynthia Slocum, American Aviator
• Leo Slocum, American Jazz Musician

Other surnames

Slocumb