Surname Fulham - Meaning and Origin
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Fulham: What does the surname Fulham mean?
The last name Fulham is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is derived from the Old English word "ful," meaning "dirty" or "muddy." It was likely given to a person who lived near muddy swamps or rivers, or was involved with such activities as making leather or other products that required the use of mud. The suffix "ham" indicates a settlement or homestead.
It is possible that Fulham is derived from the Old English personal name "Ful," which derives from the word "ful," meaning "foul, dirt, or mud". The personal name, in turn, gave rise to the surname "Fulham" which eventually became a place name for the area in present-day London. Thus, the contemporary use of Fulham as a last name typically denotes a person who is either from that area or descended from someone who did.
Fulham is an extremely common surname that can be found all over the world, especially in Britain. It is most heavily concentrated in London and the Southeast region of England, where it is the 15th most common name. In 2020, it was ranked the 23rd most popular last name in the United Kingdom & Ireland.
The root of the name Fulham conjures up images of the muck and sludge of a swampy area, yet it is ultimately a reminder of the great perseverance of the people who settled and lived in those areas long ago. Today, it serves as a marker of a person’s lineage and family history, as well as their connection to the past.
Order DNA origin analysisFulham: Where does the name Fulham come from?
The surname Fulham is an English toponymic surname, deriving from the city of Fulham in Greater London. As such, the surname remains predominantly located in Britain, particularly England. According to the latest census data, the most common concentration of this name in England is in the Greater London area. Specifically, the name is most commonly found in the North East London borough of Camden, the South West London borough of Wandsworth, and the North West London borough of Brent.
Interestingly, the vicinity of Fulham has retained quite a large concentration of the surname: in 2019, the host borough (Hammersmsith & Fulham) had one of the highest numbers of people with the Fulham surname, at 600 people. The Fulham surname has also been found in other major British cities, including Leeds, Sheffield, Manchester and Birmingham, as well as in the city of London itself. Outside of Britain, smaller numbers of people bearing the Front surname can be found in the United States, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands.
Variations of the surname Fulham
The surname Fulham is derived from the Old English words "folm" or "fulme" which mean "foul-smelling." Over time, the surname has evolved in both spelling and pronunciation around the world. Variants of the Fulham surname include Fallam, Folkham, Fulkham, Follansbee, Fulom, Foyleham, and Foulham. Spellings of the surname have included Follam, Folom, follon, Fidelham, Fylom, and Fylham. In some cases, the name has been shortened to Flem or Full.
Surnames of similar origin include Feinstein, Fullmer, Folkman, Fullman, Foulman, and Fehlman. Other surnames that share the same root include Fallam, Folman, Fola, Folland, Folley, and Falkham. Variations in spelling can be found across multiple cultures, while certain surnames such as Fullam have changed spelling throughout the centuries, or are currently evolving due to immigration trends.
In addition, Fulham is a place in London, and the surname of local families and businesses of the area can also be found. In some cases, Fulham is used as a first name, as well.
Overall, the Fulham surname can be found in many parts of the world and in a variety of spellings. Its evolution over the years reflects the changing spelling conventions of different languages and countries, while migration and immigration have further added to the diversity of the surname.
Famous people with the name Fulham
- Danny Fulham: former English footballer
- Sydney Charles Fulham: English first-class cricketer
- Norman Fulham: English boxer
- Peter Fulham: English painter
- Thomas Fulham: English shopkeeper and political activist
- Jess Fulham: British actress
- Richard Fulham: English actor
- Peter J. Fulham: American landscape architect
- Edith Fulham: English letter writer and diarist
- John Fulham: U.S. Marine and Medal of Honor recipient
- John K. Fulham: American civil engineer, agricultural educator, and businessman
- Kathleen Fulham: English-born opera singer
- Brooke Fulham: Australian Symphony Orchestra concertmaster
- Ted Fulham: Canadian hockey player
- Mike Fulham: English wildlife photographer
- Reginald Fulham: British judge and county court chairman
- Paul Fulham: Australian cricket administrator
- Dolores Louisa Fulham: English spy and World War II heroine
- Edward Fulham: British Army officer
- Keith Fulham: British jazz trumpeter and composer