Surname Woolam - Meaning and Origin

Woolam: What does the surname Woolam mean?

The last name Woolam is a variation of the more common name Wollam. It is a derivation of the English last name Woolam, which is believed to be derived from Old English words "wull" and "hamm" meaning "enclosure by the waves" or "enclosed area near the sea". The name Woolam is an occupational name which was originally used to denote a person who lived by the sea, likely working in the fishing or shipping industry.

Many theorize that the Woolam name is derived from the Middle English word "wollun" or "woolen" which means a woven fabric. This could suggest that the Woolam family may have originated as weavers using sheep and wool to create fabric.

The name Woolam has been found predominantly in the United States, many of the Woolams hailing from Pennsylvania. It may have come to the United States through British colonial migration during the nineteenth century. The name Woolam is associated with a number of bearers who have gone on to achieve different degrees of success. One famous bearer was Colonel Charles Henry Woolam, an American soldier who fought in the Mexican War and is memorialized by a bronze monument.

Overall, the Woolam name is likely to have origins in the English occupational name used by people who lived near the sea. It is a name with a rich legacy, and many Woolams have had successful lives in the United States.

Woolam: Where does the name Woolam come from?

The Woolam surname is most commonly found in the United States today. The majority of Woolam individuals live in the southern states, primarily in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas. There are also some Woolam family members living in other states, such as Tennessee, Arkansas, Virginia, North Carolina, and Mississippi. The surname has also been found in other countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and some parts of Europe.

Woolam family members originally came from England and Ireland, bringing the name with them when they first immigrated. Due to the high population of immigrants in the southern states during the 19th century, the Woolam surname became increasingly popular. As the family name became more established, members of the Woolam family spread out to other parts of the United States and the world.

The Woolam family is fairly common today in the United States, although the name is not as popular as it once was in the south. Despite this, the Woolam name is still connected to several families in the south and across the US. Furthermore, the connections made by the Woolam family remains, with many relationships between the original family branches being kept alive and well.

Variations of the surname Woolam

The Woolam surname is an anglicized version of the German name Wollam/Wollen/Wüllen, which is derived from the Old German/Middle High German words ‘woll’ and ‘wulf’. Both words mean ‘wolf’ and so the surname is a literal reference to somebody who is ‘like a wolf’. The surname is found in both England and Germany.

Variants of Woolam include Wollam, Wollen, Wüllen, Woollam, Woollem, Wollem, Woollom, Woolon, Wollon, Wollom, Wullam, Wullem, Wullom and Wullon. All of these spellings refer to the same origin.

Surnames derived from Woolam share similar meanings, such as Wollemann, Woller, Wollow, Wollmann and Woolman.

In England, the Woolam spelling has been found in Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Cambridgeshire. In Germany it is still quite common.

In Scotland, the Broadlem spelling has been found which is likely a combination of the names Broad and Woolam.

Across the United States, the Woolever and Wooliver spellings have been documented, though they are likely derived from the German spelling Woller, which is a diminutive form of Wollam.

The Woolam surname is found across the world in different variations. In England and Scotland it may be spelled slightly differently, while in Germany and the U.S. its spelling is slightly changed. However, all of them share the same meaning of being ‘like a wolf’ and they can all be traced back to the same origin.

Famous people with the name Woolam

• Tricia Woolam: American television, film, theater, and voice actress.
• Erwin Dudley Woolam: American football safety who played one season for the New York Giants of the National Football League in 1973.
• Joseph Lee Woolam: American musician who was a member of the '50s group "The Clovers".
• Hank Woolam: former American college and international basketball coach.
• Steve Woolam: former professional race car driver who competed in the NASCAR Busch Series.
• Subby Woolam: American drag racer for over 40 years.
• David Woolam: former professional American football player who played for the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams.
• Hound Dog Woolam: former Major League Baseball player.
• Annie Woolam: former American college basketball player and coach.
• Mandy Woolam: former American professional golfer who competed on the LPGA Tour from 1986 to 1997.

Other surnames

WoolacottWoolardWoolaston.