Surname Laramie - Meaning and Origin
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Laramie: What does the surname Laramie mean?
The last name Laramie is believed to have been derived from an old French surname of the same spelling, originating from the city of La Rémens in the Province of Liège, which is now located in modern-day Belgium. Its exact meaning in French is unknown; however, it is believed to be associated with a type of plant or tree. The Laramie name was later adopted into the United States with French immigrants arriving in the nation in the 1700s.
The surname Laramie may be most widely known for the city of Laramie, Wyoming, which was founded in the mid-1800s. This city was named after a French-Canadian fur trader, Jacques LaRamie, who wanted to pay homage to his French heritage. To this day, the city of Laramie is affectionately known to many as “The City of Color and Charm.”
Most Laramie families today in the United States are of French, Belgian, or Canadian descent; although some may have derived from other countries. The Laramie name is popular amongst families of French ancestry, but it is used by many people all over the planet. Throughout the years, the name has evolved and changed in spelling and meaning across different cultures.
The name Laramie is associated with a spirit of adventure, resilience, and dedication; something that originates from the resilience of Jacques LaRamie, the city he founded, and the people that live and visit there today.
Order DNA origin analysisLaramie: Where does the name Laramie come from?
The last name Laramie is most commonly associated with Laramie, Wyoming, where it originated centuries ago. The small, northern Wyoming town of Laramie was founded as a way station on the Union Pacific Railroad in 1868 - and population has steadily increased over the years. Historians believe that Laramie's original settlers came from the nearby French trapper's fort known as "Laramie’s Fort" - suggesting that a Frenchman named Laramie may have been one of the first settlers in the area and lent his name to the town.
Today, the population of Laramie is about 32,000 people, making it the largest city in Wyoming and one of the most populous places with the last name Laramie. It is also a hub for the nearby tourist destination, Snowy Range Mountains, and a growing campus of the University of Wyoming.
Given the popularity of the Laramie name in the area, the last name is likely to be very common here. Laramie is also a popular surname nationwide, with almost 6,000 people bearing the name in the US alone. It is especially prevalent in the Midwest and on the East Coast and is especially concentrated in New York, New Jersey, and California.
Variations of the surname Laramie
The surname Laramie is a common French name which has a variety of spelling variations. The most common are Laramée, Laramee, Larmée, Larmé, Larmée, Laramey, Larmay, Laramy, Larmy, and Laroumey.
The original spelling of the name was La Ramée, which reflects the fact that it is derived from a French locational surname. The origin of this name is from the old French term ramée, meaning ‘a branch or twig’, and the prefix La denoted the location of an associated homestead. This indicates that the original bearers of the Laramie surname were likely those who came from a particular location that was known as ‘La ramée’.
Various branches of the original Laramie family spread through Europe, resulting in variant spellings of the surname in many countries, including Canada, England, France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Spain, among others.
In the United States, Laramie is sometimes Anglicized to Lamotte or Lamont. Similarly, the Italian variant of the surname is Lambiase, while the Spanish and Portuguese forms include LaRamay, LaRama, and LaRami.
While the spelling of many surnames has changed over time, the Narvaez Family Association of Spain has worked to protect the original spelling of the Laramie surname, as a way to honor the family’s historical roots. It is estimated that there are over 20,000 Laramie-associated individuals living around the world today.
Famous people with the name Laramie
- Matt Laramie: Professional Soccer Player
- Abigail Laramie: Actress
- Michael Laramie: Hollywood Stuntman
- Katrina Laramie: YouTube Star
- Nellie Laramie: Singer
- Jimmy Laramie: Professional Wrestler
- Derek Laramie: Professional Golfer
- Tony Laramie: R&B Recording Artist
- Amber Laramie: Dancer
- Gina Laramie: Fashion Designer
- Jane Laramie: Painter
- Jonathan Laramie: Chef
- Sydney Laramie: Model
- Jake Laramie: Professional Football Player
- Joyeaux Laramie: Author
- Ryan Laramie: Musician
- Derek Laramie: Entertainer
- Nate Laramie: Climber
- Cole Laramie: Professional Skateboarder
- Johnny Laramie: Actor