Surname Lam - Meaning and Origin
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Reveling in the Rich Lineage: A DNA-Journey Into The Roots of My Surname 'Lam' Through iGENEA
Embarking on a journey through my ancestral lineage, I used a DNA test kit from iGENEA to understand my family name, Lam. It led me through the fascinating richness of ancient Chinese history and culture. This experience brings a renewed sense of connection and deep pride in my heritage.
H. Lam
read moreLam: What does the surname Lam mean?
Lam is a surname of Chinese origin. It is a Cantonese romanization of the Mandarin surname Lin, meaning "forest" or "trees". The character was originally depicted as trees (木) that are lush and abundant, signifying a forest. This meaning can extend to indicate a person who is abundant in knowledge or wisdom. In Vietnam, this surname is romanized as Lâm. The character is also used in Korean and is romanized as Im or Lim. The distribution of the Lam surname is mainlined in Southern China and Hong Kong. Besides, families with the surname Lam have migrated to various parts of the world, contributing to the diversity and multi-cultural fabric of these regions. Note that there could be other cultures or languages where the surname Lam has a different meaning or origin.
Order DNA origin analysisLam: Where does the name Lam come from?
The last name Lam originates from China and Vietnam. In Chinese, it is written as 林, meaning forest, grove, or woods in English. This last name is common among both Han Chinese and Vietnamese people. In the Vietnamese language, it's written as "Lâm". A majority of people carrying the Lam surname originated from Southern China and Vietnam—places such as Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan. However, due to migration and diaspora over the centuries, the name has spread and is commonplace not just in China and Vietnam, but also in other regions around the world with significant Chinese and Vietnamese populations. This includes countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and parts of Europe. The name may also be seen in Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. However, the English transliteration (spelling) of the name can vary in different regions due to linguistic differences. For example, it may be spelled as Lam, Lim, Lum, or Lin. Despite the varying transliterations, the character and meaning remain the same.
Variations of the surname Lam
The surname Lam originated from China and is also spelled in various ways when translated to English due to different romanization systems. Some of these spellings include Lam, Lum, Lamb, and Lamm. In Cantonese, it is usually spelled as "Lam" while it is usually spelled as "Lin" in Mandarin. It's also common to see it spelled as Lan, Lham, or Lim depending on the region and dialect.
Moreover, there are additional variants due to the name merging with other surnames or due to different calligraphic styles in Chinese characters. Sometimes, it can also have compound forms such as Lambrinidis, Lambrinos, or Lampropoulos, especially in Greece.
Lam is also common as a Vietnamese surname, where it is usually spelled as Lâm. It is important to note that despite having the same spelling, the pronunciation and meaning can differ from the Chinese "Lam".
In Dutch, Lam also exists as a surname, which translates as "lamb". Variations may include Van Lam, Van der Lam, or Lamme.
It's worth noting that not all people with the same surname share the same ancestors due to different origins of the name, which can change based on regional history and migration.
Famous people with the name Lam
- Margaret Lam: Hong Kong singer and former pageant queen
- Daniel Lam: Hong Kong actor
- Kenrick Lam: Hong Kong TV Host
- Lisa Lam: Hong Kong model
- Bo Lam: Hong Kong Actor
- Bruce Lam: Hong Kong Actor
- Johnson Lam: Singer from Taiwan
- Lily Lam: Taiwanese actress
- East Lam: Taiwanese Actor
- Benjamin Lam: Hong Kong Actor
- Stephen Lam: Hong Kong Actor
- Sharon Lam: Hong Kong Singer & Celeb
- Glenda Lam: Hong Kong Actress
- Rebecca Lam: Hong Kong Actress
- Kara Lam: Hong Kong Actress
- Joshua Lam: Hong Kong Actor
- Ernest Lam: Hong Kong Actor
- Yutong Lam: Hong Kong Actress
- Kiko Lam: Hong Kong Singer
- Sam Lam: Hong Kong Actor
- Edison Lam: Hong Kong Actor
- Mabel Lam: Hong Kong Singer and Model
- Brenda Lam: Hong Kong Actress
- Piyah Lam: Hong Kong Model
- Joe Lam: Hong Kong YouTuber
- Jojo Lam: Hong Kong Actress
- Jill Lam: Hong Kong Actress
- Kenny Lam: Hong Kong Actor
- Monica Lam: Hong Kong Actress 30.Summer Lam: Hong Kong Actress