Surname Lahm - Meaning and Origin
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Lahm: What does the surname Lahm mean?
The last name Lahm is of German origin and is thought to be derived from the Middle High German word "lahme" meaning "swamp or bog". It is thought that the first recorded use of the Lahm surname dates back to the 1300s when a knight named Johannes de Lahme was recorded in Hesse. In the Middle Ages surnames were often linked to the profession of the person and it is likely that the Lahm name is associated with the practice of draining swamps and bogs.
In area of Central Europe, the name Lahm is particularly common and it is thought that it is the third most common name in Austria. It is also a common surname in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany.
During WWII, some members of the Lahm family fled from their homes in the east and relocated to the west or to America, which led to the surname being more widely distributed throughout central Europe and the New World.
In the US, the surname is less common but still quite popular. The 2000 US census recorded 1,640 people with the Lahm surname, with New York being the most populous state with 217 people.
Today, the Lahm surname continues to be popular in parts of central Europe and more recently due to immigration into the US. It is a testament to the history of its origin and the journey it has made throughout the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisLahm: Where does the name Lahm come from?
The last name Lahm is most prominently found in Germany, where the name is ranked 33rd most common. It is believed to originate from the German word “loh” or “lohm”, which translates to “clearing”, a possible reference to an area that was cleared for agriculture.
The name is also common in Austria, ranking 100th most popular, as well as Switzerland, where it is the 63rd most common surname. Other places where Lahm can be found include Luxembourg, Estonia, and Canada, although it is much less frequent in these countries.
Indeed, there are some prominent figures who bear the last name of Lahm, such as football player Philipp Lahm and writer Franz Lahm. Moreover, Lahm is the name of a number of towns and villages, including Lahm in the Swiss canton of Thurgau, Lahm in Germany, and Lahm in Austria.
In short, the last name Lahm is most common in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, although it can also be found in other parts of Europe and the world.
Variations of the surname Lahm
The surname Lahm is derived from the German word “lacht”, meaning laughter, which is most likely an occupational name for a jester or a comedian. Variants of this surname include Lachm, Lochm, Loxm, Lahmmann, Lohm and Lamm. Spellings of this surname include Lamm, Lammh, Lamb, Lam, Laam, Laamm, and Lohm.
The surname Lahm is often found in Germany, Switzerland, and the United States of America. Some descendants of the surname Lahm have established new surnames based on the original one, such as Lohmueller, Lohmuster, Lohmann, Lochmann, Lohmeir, Lochmayer, and Lohmuyer.
Some people have altered the spelling of the surname Lahm to create new surnames, such as Lohmer, Lahmeyer, Lahmeiere, Lahmeiers, Lahmeyer, Lambmayer, Langmuller, and Lammer.
Other surnames derived from this name include Loam, Laumeier, Liahmeier, Lomeier, Lehmeier and Lehmkuhl. Furthermore, some immigrants of German origin who arrived in the United States during the 18th and 19th centuries used the “Lawrence” spelling of this name instead of the original one.
In conclusion, the surname Lahm has many variants, spellings, and related surnames which can be found all over the world. It is derived from the German word “lacht” meaning laughter, most likely an occupational name for a jester or comedian. Some of the other related surnames include Lohmueller, Lohmuster, Lohmann, Lochmann, Lohmeir, Lochmayer, Lohmuyer, Lohmer, Lahmeyer, Lahmeiere, Lahmeiers, Lahmeyer, Lambmayer, Langmuller, Lammer, Loam, Laumeier, and Liahmeier.
Famous people with the name Lahm
- Philipp Lahm: German football player who was a defender in the German national team and former captain of Bayern Munich.
- Jeannine Lahm: Austrian film actress and singer.
- Heinz Lahm: German entrepreneur known for his involvement in the innovative Hanomag tractors and locomotives of the 1920s and 1930s.
- Toni Lahm: German actor who appeared in various films from the 1940s to the 1970s.
- Sabine Lahms: German singer and songwriter of electronic dance music and pop.
- Florian Lahm: German actor, known for his role in the hit movie, The Lives of Others.
- Manfred Lahm: North German artist, author and illustrator.
- Hans Lahm: German tennis player from the mid-20th century.
- Radu Lahm: Romanian film director best known for his work on documentaries.
- Kristin Lahm: Austrian actress with roles in several films and television series.