Surname Dam - Meaning and Origin
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Dam: What does the surname Dam mean?
The last name Dam is a Dutch and Scandinavian surname that originated from old Dutch or German words meaning either ‘dam’ or 'wall’. The surname became popular in Europe in the Middle Ages due to its reference to a large wall, typically built across a river to hold back water. It was originally most common in the northern regions of the Netherlands and the southern regions of Denmark and Sweden.
In the United States, the Dam surname is often traced to Dutch immigrants who moved to the country in the 17th and 18th centuries. They were most likely fleeing religious or financial persecution, and settled in the New York area. Many members of this family rose to great prominence in the city. During the Revolutionary War, there were several Dam officers in the army, such as Captain Jan Dam of the Continental Navy.
Today, the Dam surname is still most commonly found among people of Dutch descent, particularly those of the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. There are some instances of the surname in France and Scandinavia as well.
In addition to its Dutch origins, the Dam surname can have different meanings in different cultures. In Ireland, "Dam" is often a short form of Dempsey, which is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic surname "Ó Duinseamhain," meaning "son of Duniseamhain." In India, "Dam" is a surname that likely has some Hindu origins, although its meaning is not clear.
Order DNA origin analysisDam: Where does the name Dam come from?
The last name Dam is most common in Denmark, but it can also be found in other parts of Europe and in some parts of the world.
In Denmark, the last name Dam is the 14th most common last name, with approximately 65,000 people bearing the name. It is believed to have derived from the term “de dam”, which means “the dam” in Danish. The Dam surname is also present in other Scandinavian countries such as Norway and Sweden.
In the United Kingdom, the Dam surname is quite uncommon, but there is still a presence in the country, and thousands of people bear the name.
In the United States, the Dam name is less common, with less than 10,000 people having the last name. It is most commonly found in the northern states such as Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Worldwide, the last name Dam is present in various countries and continents, such as Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Germany, and France. It is also present in major cities such as Amsterdam, Toronto, Paris, and Berlin.
Overall, the Dam name is quite popular in the Scandinavian countries, but it is still present in other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname Dam
The surname Dam can trace its origins to both Dutch and German ancestry. In the Dutch version, the surname is most commonly found spelled as Dam or Dams, while other variations include Daem, Daemm/Damm, De Dam, De Dammes, Damme, Demme, Dames, and De Dams. The German variation has the same spellings but can additionally be found as Daem, Daemm/Damm, Dam, Damm, Dem, Den, Demm, Denn, Demp, Dammp, Danm, or Denm.
In addition to the various spellings of the same surname, there are also a variety of surnames that have a similar origin to Dam. Among the most common of these variant surnames are Dams, Damm, Dames, De Dam, Demme, De Dams, Denn, Dell, Deno, Demp, Domp, Dammke, Dancker, Damkot, Dresden, DeRoos, Den Hoed, Demmer, De Jonge, and De Jonghe.
The myriad of variant spellings, surnames, and patronymic surnames of the same origin, especially in families with a history of Dutch and German ancestry, can cause some confusion among those researching genealogy and family history. It may take some effort to distinguish between similar-sounding surnames or to trace a particular name through history, but such research can be rewarding and ultimately lead to a better understanding of one's family history.
Famous people with the name Dam
- Bo Dam: South Korean actor
- Georg Dam: Danish Olympic fencer
- Michel Dam: French politician
- Sundar Dam: Indian mathematician
- Cora Dam: Dutch para table tennis player
- Dalila Dam: Moroccan singer
- Mogens Dam: Danish neuroscientist
- Yvette Dam: Dutch swimmer
- Kengeo Dam: Congolese footballer 10.Marc Dam: French tennis player 11.Edward Dam: Anglican Bishop 12.Thomas Dam: Danish founder of Trollbeads 13.Martin Dam: Danish Olympic heavyweight wrestler 14.Byron Dam: American artist 15.Rudolf Dam: Czech musicologist 16.Max Dam: American film editor 17.Ralph Dam: Dutch cyclist 18.Virgil Dam: Romanian footballer 19.Christian Dam: Danish former footballer 20.John Dam: Norwegian fiddler and traditional arts photographer