Surname Bigholm - Meaning and Origin
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Bigholm: What does the surname Bigholm mean?
The last name Bigholm is believed to have its roots in either Old Norse, Old Danish, or Old English. The name derives from the Old Norse ‘biggi’, which means ‘big, large’, and ‘holmr’, meaning ‘island’ or ‘river meadow’. Thus, the name may have originated as a reference to someone who either lived near or on a large island or river meadow. Alternatively, it may also come from Old Danish, from the words ‘bøl’, meaning ‘avoidance’, and ‘holmr’, denoting a ‘river meadow’. This suggests that the surname was given to a family who either moved away from or avoided a certain river meadow.
Given its origins in the Nordic languages, the surname is most likely linked to Scandinavian nations such as Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. This is further evidenced by the name’s popularity in those countries today. It is also relatively popular in the United States, Britain, and Canada, among other regions where Nordic peoples have settled.
The Bigholm surname is associated with qualities of strength and size. At its root, the name refers to a place of grandness, suggesting those bearing the name possess a strong character and a large presence.
Today, those with the last name Bigholm are thought of as strong-willed and independent, known for their leadership qualities. Those fortunate enough to be a part of this proud lineage can embrace their shared ancestry and its connotations of greatness.
Order DNA origin analysisBigholm: Where does the name Bigholm come from?
The last name Bigholm is a relatively rare name that is most common in Norway and Sweden today. In Norway, the name is found in northern and western regions in counties such as Sogn og Fjordane, Møre og Romsdal, and Nordland. In Sweden, it is more widely dispersed but is most likely to be found in southeastern regions such as Blekinge, Skåne, and Halland.
Through records on Ancestry.com and other genealogical sites, current geographic locations can be inferred based on past migration patterns. Popular destinations in America for those with this name include Minnesota, Nebraska, and the Dakotas. This suggests that descendants may have traveled to North America from Norway or Sweden, in pursuit of better economic and social opportunities.
Other records indicate that the surname is found in Canada too, in both the east and west of the country. This could either be a result of direct travel to Canada, or migration laterally from the United States.
The last name Bigholm also appears in small numbers in Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, and England, though it is not clear whether these cases are connected to Norwegian and Swedish descendants. It is possible that they are the relics of a larger global travel pattern, perhaps even reaching back to the Viking Age.
Variations of the surname Bigholm
The surname Bigholm is derived from two distinct areas. Firstly, it is an alternative spelling of the Germanic surname Beehlau, which has its roots in Germany and Scandinavia. The original German form of the name was Binholen and the modern spellings include Behlau, Behloh, Behlo, Bechloh, Beklau, and Biklau. Secondly, Bigholm is an English variant of the name Biglom, derived from a location in Lincolnshire, England. Other variants of the name include Biggleham, Biggleom, Bigglin, Bigglehamm, Bigglume, and Bigglomme. The nickname Bigland is also commonly associated with this surname in England.
Throughout the last few centuries, additional variations or Anglicized versions have been found in various records, such as Bilham, Billhohm, Bylham, Bylholme, Birlham, Birlhoum, Byrlham, and Birlholm. Surnames similar to Bigholm in terms of origin and pronunciation include Bilholm, Beihlau, Barklau, and Bilhau.
In the United States, the surname Bigholm is most commonly found in the states of Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota. There is also a Bigholm Island located in Norway.
Famous people with the name Bigholm
- Loui Bigholm: Loui is a musical artist from Denmark and has released a number of singles and remixes over the years.
- Doug Bigholm: Doug is an American rock singer-songwriter, best known for his solo music career and as the former frontman of ‘The Spoilers’.
- Mads Bigholm: Mads is a Danish professional football player who currently plays for AGF Aarhus.
- Elsebeth Bigholm: Elsebeth is a Danish doctor and is the former president of the Danish Medical Association and the chairman of the World Medical Association.
- Niels Bigholm: Niels is a Danish entrepreneur and co-founder of UpWest, a social network.
- Viggo Bigholm: Viggo is a Danish film director and screenwriter, who recently directed the movie ‘Babettes Giengenkar’.
- Marie Bigholm: Marie is a Danish visual artist and former art director for the visual arts magazine Filepile.
- Klara Bigholm: Klara is a lawyer and politician from Denmark and is the current Secretary of State of Business and Growth.
- Rasmus Bigholm: Rasmus is a Danish cartoonist, painter and graphic designer who is known for his illustrations in the culture magazine of ‘Information’.
- Lars Bigholm: Lars is a Danish international hockey player and currently plays for the Danish men's national team.