Surname Newcom - Meaning and Origin

Newcom: What does the surname Newcom mean?

The surname Newcom is derived from the Middle English term "newecome," which means "a newcomer." This name was often given to someone who had recently moved to a new town or area. It's an example of a category of surnames known as 'nickname' surnames, which were derived from a variety of sources including physical characteristics, personal attributes, and occupations, as well as from habitational, geographical or topographical names. Over time, the spelling of the surname has evolved and variations now include Newcomb, Newcombe, Newcome, Newcomen, and others. While the name has English origins, today it is found in many English-speaking countries around the world. A surname's meaning can give you a glimpse into the history or characteristics of the original bearers. In the case of the last name Newcom, it intriguingly tells the story of migration and settlement from many years ago.

Newcom: Where does the name Newcom come from?

The last name Newcom is commonly found in the United States today. It is believed to have originated in Scotland, with a family from the same name having arrived as early as the 1700s, likely as immigrants from Northern Ireland or Scotland.

Newcom is a fairly prolific surname and is reported to be the 5,542nd most common surname in the United States. In 2019, it was estimated that there were 6,436 individuals in the United States with the surname Newcom. It is found in the highest concentrations in West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina.

It is thought that the Newcom name was of Scottish descent, and may be related to the Irish names similar to O’Cuimin or McCuimin. The Irish and Scottish Gaelic words for “people of the valley” or “people of the heath” are found in those last names.

Newcom is becoming less common as a last name in the United States today. The main force driving this decrease appears to be marriage. Newcom family members are increasingly marrying outside the family and taking on their partner’s last name instead.

It is likely that the surname Newcom will further diminish in the United States, as more of its users take on their partner’s surnames. It is not yet certain if the last name Newcom will eventually become extinct, however, it is certain that it will continue to decline in use in the coming years.

Variations of the surname Newcom

The surname Newcom is an anglicized form of the Germanic name Neukom. This surname was first found in the German region of Swabia. It is derived from the words “neu”, meaning “new”, and “kum” which means “man” or “family”. This indicates that the origin of this family was someone who was new to the area and had begun a new family.

Variants of Newcom include Neukom, Neukamm, Neukim, Neukommer and Neukomstrasse. It also has some other spellings like Newcomb, Newcum, and Newkom.

Surnames derived from the same origin include Newcomer, Newcombe, Newmark, and Newlon.

Newcom was a fairly common surname in the United States during the 19th century, with many immigrants bearing this name settling there. It can still be found in the United States today and in some countries in Europe.

In the United Kingdom, the surname has often been used interchangeably with the surname Newman, which has a similar meaning and is of the same origin. Both can refer to someone who is a newcomer to a particular place. However, Newcom has largely disappeared from the United Kingdom and is not very common in the United States today.

Overall, Newcom is a rare surname that can be found in a few places in Europe and the United States, usually spelled slightly differently than the traditional variation.

Famous people with the name Newcom

• Russell Newcom, comedian and actor
• Paul Newcom, actor and director
• Wes Newcom, musician and filmmaker
• Todd Newcom, entrepreneur and business executive
• Samuel Newcom, musician and songwriter
• Dan Newcom, journalist and social media manager
• Matt Newcom, inventor and scientist
• Christina Newcom, sculptor and installation artist
• Jeffrey Newcom, artist and curator
• Miranda Newcom, dancer and choreographer

Other surnames

NewcombNewcombeNewcome