Surname Beacham - Meaning and Origin
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Beacham: What does the surname Beacham mean?
The last name Beacham is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is a locational surname typically given to someone who originally lived near a stream, especially near pebbly or gravelly terrain. The name derives from Old English "beche", meaning "beech tree", and "hamm", denoting "enclosure, or a flat low-lying meadow by a stream". Thus, it describes someone living in an enclosure or a settlement surrounded by beech trees or living near a stream or a water meadow. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced taxation and personal taxation in England was sometimes known as Poll Tax. Variations of the name Beacham can include: Beauchamp, Beachamp, Beaucham and others. With centuries of transportation and migration, the surname has spread and can be found in various parts of the world, while remaining particularly common in English-speaking countries.
Order DNA origin analysisBeacham: Where does the name Beacham come from?
The last name Beacham is of English origin and emerged as a hereditary surname after the Norman Conquest in the 11th Century. It is derived from the Old English words "beche," which means "beech," and "ham," which means "farm," "settlement," or "homeland." Thus, Beacham can be interpreted as "beech farm" or "one who hails from a place characterized by beech trees." The name is likely to have originated from one of several places that are named Beacham or Beauchamp in England.
Today, the last name Beacham can be found in several parts of the world due to migration over time. The surname is more common in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. According to the surname distribution data from Forebears, the name Beacham is most commonly found in the United States, followed by England. However, it also indicates that the highest density of people with the Beacham surname is in Wales, even though the total number is smaller. In all these regions, it is relatively less common compared to other surnames.
Variations of the surname Beacham
The surname Beacham originates from England and has various spelling variants and derivations. Some of these include Beauchamp, Beachamp, Beecham, Becham, Beaucham, Beauchan, Beauchaine, Beauchaime, Beauchame, and Beauchemin.
It's essential to note that these variations happened often due to an interpretation of writing or pronunciation, especially before the standardization of spelling in the English language. The surname might also be altered as families migrated and adapted to new languages or dialects, leading to a plethora of versions.
The surnames, usually representing geographical or locative names, relate to where the initial bearers lived or originated. In this case, "Beauchamp" is of Norman origin, brought to England after the Norman Conquest in 1066, and this surname originates from a place in France having the same name, which means 'beautiful field'.
The surname has a noble history, attached to the House of Beauchamp, an influential family during medieval England times, owning vast lands across the country. Thus, tracing these variations can often provide genealogical or historical insights.
Famous people with the name Beacham
- Stephanie Beacham: British television, radio, film and theatre actress who gained fame through roles in "Dynasty" and "The Colbys."
- John Beacham: A renowned poet, activist, and teacher, known for his contribution to socio-economic and political issues.
- Michael Beacham: A successful business executive, notably the former CEO of “Ronald McDonald House Charities”.
- Cecil Beacham: An accomplished American footballer recognized for his time with the New York Jets.
- Sandi Beacham: An American businesswoman, best known as a successful entrepreneur and co-founder of a bio-pharmaceutical company.
- Frank Beacham: An American author and multimedia producer, noted for his documentation of radio history through written works and audiobooks. Please note that while the individuals listed above have achieved a certain level of recognition or success in their respective fields, not all may be deemed universally ‘famous’. The concept of fame is subjective, and can fluctuate depending on geographic location and area of interest.