Surname Neukum - Meaning and Origin
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Neukum: What does the surname Neukum mean?
The surname Neukum is an occupational surname derived from the Middle High German word 'neukam' or 'neukum,' meaning a “foster son,” or “stepson”. This surname was originally given to a person whose father had died and was adopted by another family. The surname is found primarily in the German-speaking regions of Europe, as well as in countries that had large numbers of German immigrants, such as the United States and Canada.
The Neukums of Germany originated in the former Silesian region of Prussia, an area that is now part of western Poland. In addition, many Neukums emigrated to the United States in the late 19th century, and some began to settle in Wisconsin, California, Illinois, and Missouri. The family name is also common in other parts of Europe, especially France, Austria and Switzerland.
The Neukums of European descent were known for having a strong work ethic and excellent craftsmen skills. They often enjoyed working on farms, in factories, and in construction, and were known for having great tactical and strategic abilities. The Neukums of America have also had many successful entrepreneurs, professionals, and political figures.
The Neukum family name is best remembered for being associated with hard work, success, and strong family connections. The Neukum family was known for their commitment to their families and to helping their communities. This commitment was evident throughout their history and still lives on today.
Order DNA origin analysisNeukum: Where does the name Neukum come from?
The Neukum surname is most commonly found in areas of Germany today, particularly in the south of the country. It is believed to have originated in the Rhineland, which was the homeland of many Germanic tribes during the Middle Ages. The Neukum name is a variation of the Germanic word neukömmen, which means “new coming” or “new settling.” This suggests that there may have been multiple waves of migration during which the Neukum family spread across the region.
In addition to Germany, Neukum is also found in Austria, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. Aside from these regions, it is also present in the United States and Canada, where it is believed to have arrived with German immigrants.
In terms of contemporary populations, Neukum is a relatively rare surname. It is found with greater frequency among those living in the areas of its origin. In 2019, Neukum was the 94,974th most common surname in Germany and the 169,251st most common surname in the United States, according to Ancestry.com.
Variations of the surname Neukum
The surname Neukum has a number of variants and spellings as well as surnames of the same origin. The most common variants and spellings of Neukum include Newkum, Nuikum, Novikum, Newcomb, Nowcomb, Noucomb, Noakom and Nucomb.
Surnames of the same origin as Neukum include Neucomb, Neukem, Neukom, Nickelson, Nukom, Nucum, Nukem, Nukam and Nuckum. Each of these variants and surnames likely developed independently of each other, as occupational and local origins likely had more of an influence on how the surname was spelled than a shared direct line of descent. For instance, people who worked as smiths in different regions may have adopted similar sounding but distinct surnames over time, both ancestors of the various Neukum-originating lines.
In some parts of the world, such as Scotland, the variants and spellings of Neukum are combined to form hyphenated and double-barrelled surnames, such as Neucomb-Newkum and Nucum-Nukem.
Famous people with the name Neukum
- Ernst Neukum: Rear Admiral in the German Navy who served in the Second World War.
- Frank Neukum: German photographer, specializing in landscapes, cityscapes, and architecture.
- Gerd Neukum: German planetary scientist and research professor, who has made key contributions to the study of both the sun and the planets.
- Horst Neukum: German physicist, who published several papers on electrical engineering and image processing.
- Hans Neukum: German astronomer active from 1939-1985, known for his work studying the surfaces of outer planets.
- Bruno Neukum: German ice hockey player who competed in the 1936 Winter Olympics.
- Erich Neukum: German ice hockey player who competed in the 1924 Winter Olympics.
- Uwe Neukum: Austrian ski mountaineer and mountain runner.
- Robert Neukum: German politician who served as a member of the North Rhine-Westphalia State Parliament.
- Ulrich Neukum: German astronomer and professor at Humboldt University in Berlin, known for his studies of asteroids.