Surname Haslam - Meaning and Origin
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Haslam: What does the surname Haslam mean?
The surname Haslam has its roots in England and Scotland. It is a topographic name derived from the Old English word hæsel, meaning "hazel tree." The name is believed to have originally been used to identify the inhabitant of a homestead located near a stand of hazel trees.
Haslam is also an occupational name for a hat maker derived from the same source. As early as the 13th century, hatmaking was an important and profitable industry in England, and the need for hats was even further increased by the introduction of beaver and rabbit fur into the country from the New World.
In Scotland, the surname Haslam is a variant of the name Halsam, which is derived from Hals, an abbreviation of 'Haldersman' an Old Scandinavian term for a servant or one who guards a manor.
The surname Haslam has many notable bearers. Reverend William Haslam was a Irish clergyman of the Church of England in the 18th century. 19th century Irish poet, dramatist and novelist John Haslam was once sentenced to five years penal servitude for seditious libel. And in 2019, Jimmy Haslam became majority owner of the NFL's Cleveland Browns.
Order DNA origin analysisHaslam: Where does the name Haslam come from?
The last name Haslam is most commonly found in England, Australia, Canada, and the United States. In the United States, it is most concentrated in the midwestern and northeastern regions, such as Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania. This is partly due to the Haslam family's place of origin; they descended from an original family who originated from Cumbria, in western England. In England, the name is found most prominently in the north and mid-western regions, especially in Yorkshire and Lancashire. Haslams are also found in Australia, particularly in the state of Victoria. In Canada, the name has its highest concentration in Ontario, with additional pockets of Haslam families in Alberta, Quebec, and British Columbia.
The origin of the Haslam surname is unclear; the meaning is thought to be either a physical description of a person (e.g. "Hazellam", meaning "handsome person") or a place name from Cumbria. However, the precise origin remains the subject of debate. As with many old English surnames, its usage has developed over time, often to denote one's ancestral homeland or to serve as a nickname. For example, " “Haslam of the Hills” could quite easily denote an earlier Haslam family that had lived amongst the hills of Cumbria, England.
Today, the last name Haslam is most often associated with the industrial city of Manchester, England, where the name has its roots. It is also common amongst those of Jewish backgrounds, particularly those of Sephardic heritage. The Haslam name is now more widely spread than it was in earlier times, but remains strongly associated with the countries and regions of its origin.
Variations of the surname Haslam
The surname Haslam is believed to have originated from England during the Middle Ages. It has numerous variants, spellings and surnames associated with it that are used in different parts of the world.
Some of the most commonly used variants and spellings of Haslam include Hasselam, Haslamme, Haslem, Haslum, Hasling, Haslyn, Haselin, Haselan, Haselon, Hasell, Haselem, Haslam, Hesselam, Hesselin, Hesselon, Hoselam, and Hoselem.
In the UK, some common surnames related to Haslam include Hallam, Allum, Hollam, Hollom, and Allam. Some other related surnames include Haselmeyer, Haselbach, Haselauer, Haslacher, Heslin, Hessel, Huslum, Huslam, and Hajduk.
In the United States, many variants of the Haslam surname exist including Halam, Hallam, and Hallum. Some other related American surnames include Hasilman, Hasleman, Hoslem, Hosley, Hozier, Haslacker, Haseman, Hasanen, Hazelman, Hazelton, Haslam Smith, and Hoselton.
The Haslam surname is also present in other parts of the world. In Australia, it is usually spelled Haselam, Haslem or Haslum. In Germany, the surname is spelled Haslauer or Haselbacher. In France, it is usually spelled Heslin, Hesselin, or Hesselon.
Famous people with the name Haslam
- Jimmy Haslam: American business magnate and owner of the NFL team Cleveland Browns.
- Bill Haslam: American politician and Governor of Tennessee from 2011 to 2019.
- David Haslam: British doctor and medical advisor to the National Health Service.
- Walt Haslam: American artist and painter from Kentucky.
- John Haslam: English physician who served as Medical Officer of the Royal Bethlem Hospital for more than two decades.
- Craig Haslam: British singer-songwriter and former frontman for the electronic rock band Information Society.
- Karl Haslam: British actor and screenwriter best known for portraying Zeb in the BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous.
- Steve Haslam: English professional footballer who played for Sheffield Wednesday and Port Vale between 1993 and 2000.
- Bill Haslam: Canadian painter from the Kitchener-Waterloo area of Ontario.
- Earl Haslam: English cricketer who represented Surrey from 1920 to 1924.