Downham Surname

The Origins of the Surname Downham

The surname Downham is of English origin, deriving from several place names in the country. The most common places associated with this surname are Downham in Lancashire and Downham in Norfolk. These place names are believed to have derived from the Old English words "dūn," meaning hill, and "hām," meaning settlement or home. Therefore, the surname Downham likely originated as a topographic name for someone who lived by a settlement on a hill.

Early Historical Records

The earliest recorded instance of the surname Downham dates back to the 13th century in England. One of the earliest recorded bearers of the surname was William de Downham, who was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk in 1202. Over the centuries, the surname spread throughout England and beyond, as people migrated and established new communities.

According to historical records, the Downham surname has been found in various regions around the world. In England, the surname is most prevalent, with a significant number of individuals bearing the name in different counties. The incidence of the Downham surname in England is particularly high in Lancashire and Norfolk.

Spread of the Surname Downham

Outside of England, the surname Downham has also been found in other countries, including the United States, Australia, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, and Scotland. The surname has a presence in these countries due to immigration and colonization, as English settlers traveled to new lands and established communities.

According to data, the incidence of the Downham surname is relatively high in the United States, with over 600 individuals carrying the surname. In Australia, Canada, and South Africa, the surname is also present, albeit in smaller numbers. The surname has also been found in countries like Mexico, the Netherlands, China, and Portugal, among others.

Notable Individuals with the Surname Downham

Throughout history, individuals with the surname Downham have made significant contributions in various fields. One notable figure is John Downham, a 17th-century English Puritan clergyman who served as the Bishop of Derry in Ireland. Downham was known for his theological writings and debates on religious matters.

In more recent times, individuals bearing the surname Downham have excelled in different professions, including politics, sports, and the arts. These individuals have carried on the legacy of the Downham name, demonstrating the resilience and talent associated with the surname.

Modern-Day Distribution of the Surname Downham

Today, the surname Downham continues to be found in various parts of the world, reflecting the global reach of English immigration and the spread of family names. While the incidence of the surname may vary in different countries, the presence of individuals with the Downham surname serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy of this ancient English name.

Whether in England, the United States, Australia, or elsewhere, individuals with the surname Downham share a common heritage and history that connects them to their ancestors and the places from which the name originated. The Downham surname remains a symbol of strength, perseverance, and unity for all who bear it.

The surname Downham into the world

Globalization has meant that surnames spread far beyond their nation of origin, such that it is achievable to find African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. Similar happens when it comes to Downham, which as you're able to corroborate, it may be stated that it is a surname that may be present in the majority of the nations regarding the world. In the same way there are countries by which definitely the density of individuals utilizing the surname Downham is greater than far away.

The map for the Downham surname

View Downham surname map

The possibility of examining for a world map about which countries hold more Downham on earth, assists us a whole lot. By placing ourselves regarding the map, on a concrete nation, we could start to see the concrete amount of people aided by the surname Downham, to obtain this way the particular information of all of the Downham as you are able to currently get in that nation. All of this additionally helps us to comprehend not just where the surname Downham arises from, but also in what way the people that are originally area of the family that bears the surname Downham have relocated and relocated. In the same manner, you'll be able to see in which places they will have settled and developed, and that's why if Downham is our surname, it appears interesting to which other countries associated with world it's possible that one of our ancestors once relocated to.

Countries with more Downham in the world

If you think of it very carefully, at apellidos.de we present all you need to enable you to have the true information of which nations have actually the highest amount of people utilizing the surname Downham within the whole globe. More over, you can see them in a very graphic way on our map, in which the nations with all the greatest number of individuals utilizing the surname Downham is visible painted in a more powerful tone. In this manner, sufficient reason for just one glance, you can easily locate in which nations Downham is a very common surname, plus in which countries Downham is an unusual or non-existent surname.

It is common to find surnames similar to Downham. This is because many times the surname Downham has undergone mutations.

Not all surnames similar to the surname Downham are related to it. Sometimes it is possible to find surnames similar to Downham that have a different origin and meaning.

Discerning whether the surname Downham or any of the surnames similar to Downham came first is not always easy. There are many reasons that could have led to the surname Downham being written or pronounced differently, giving rise to a new, different surname Downham with a common root.

Downham Surname

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