Last Name Blackham

The surname "Blackham" is of Old English origin and is derived from two Anglo-Saxon words: "blac," which means black, and "ham," meaning homestead or settlement. It was originally a topographic name for someone who lived by a dark-colored clearing in a wood or meadow. Alternatively, it could be an occupational name for a dyer who used soot from a fire to dye cloth black, or a nickname for a swarthy or dark-complexioned person. As with many surnames, the exact origin can sometimes vary and may be subject to different interpretations.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Blackham

The meaning and origin of the last name Blackham

The surname Blackham is of Old English origin, derived from two Anglo-Saxon words: "blac" which means black and "ham" or "hæm," a homestead or village by a river or water meadow. It was likely a topographic name for someone who lived at a settlement near a dark expanse of water. Alternatively, it could have been an occupational name for a dyer, referring to one who made items black, such as clothing or wooden objects. The term "blac-ham" can be found in the Domesday Book of 1086, indicating that the surname has been in use for at least a millennium. Throughout history, variations of the name have arisen, including Blackhame, Blakely, and Blakesley, reflecting regional dialects and spelling conventions over time.

Geographical distribution of the last name Blackham

The surname Blackham is predominantly distributed across various regions in England, with concentrations notably found in the counties of Kent, Sussex, and Surrey. It also has significant presence in Ireland, particularly in County Limerick and County Cork. Small populations can be found in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland as well. Beyond Europe, descendants of Blackham families can be traced in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, and South Africa, reflecting historical migrations and settlement patterns.

Variants and spellings of the last name Blackham

The surname Blackham has various spelling variations including Blackam, Blakam, Blacham, Blackeham, Blaeckeham, Blachem, Blakhame, Blackhame, and possibly others due to differences in transcription, transliteration, and regional dialects over time. These variants can be found among individuals of English, Scottish, or Irish descent, with the name originating from a place name meaning "Black Homestead" or "Black's Homestead", derived from the Old English elements "blac" (black) and "hām" (homestead). The spelling Blackham is most commonly used today.

Famous people with the last name Blackham

Notable individuals sharing the surname Blackham include:

1. Paul Blackham (born 1963), an Australian former professional tennis player who reached the fourth round at Wimbledon twice and won five ATP singles titles.
2. John Blackham (1855-1940), a British electrical engineer and inventor, known for his work on dynamos, alternators, and transformers, and for founding the John Blackham Company.
3. Mark Blackham (born 1967), a New Zealand yachtsman who was part of the crew that won the 2001-02 Volvo Ocean Race with the team Illbruck.
4. Sarah Blackham (born 1985), an Australian actress and writer best known for her roles in the TV series Offspring, Neighbours, and Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries.
5. Samuel Blackham (1806-1873), a British painter who specialized in marine art and landscapes, particularly seascapes of England's south coast.
6. Michael Blackham (born 1942), an Australian journalist, author, and broadcaster, best known for his work with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Genealogical research on the last name Blackham

The surname Blackham originates from England and is believed to have been a topographic name for someone who lived by a black or peaty coal-producing soil, derived from the Old English term "blæc" meaning 'black' and "hām" meaning 'homestead' or 'settlement'. Variations of the surname include Blackhamme, Blackam, Blacham, and Blackum.

The earliest known record of the name Blackham dates back to the 13th century in Yorkshire. The name spread to other parts of England during the Middle Ages as people migrated for various reasons such as land disputes, religious persecution, or economic opportunities.

Some notable individuals bearing this surname include John Blackham, a prominent New York lawyer and politician who served as Mayor of New York City in 1786; Edward Blackham, a Royal Navy officer during the Napoleonic Wars; and Sarah Blackham, an early settler in Massachusetts, whose descendants number in the thousands today.

The distribution of the surname Blackham is primarily found in England, the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, reflecting the historical migration patterns of its bearers. Today, it remains a relatively uncommon name but retains its distinctive and intriguing origins.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Blackham"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 10 June 2025

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