Surname Ringham - Meaning and Origin

Ringham: What does the surname Ringham mean?

The surname Ringham is of Old Norse origin, derived from the Norse personal name Hringr, which means "ring". The suffix 'ham' typically indicates a homestead, village, or manor, making 'Ringham' translate to 'the home or place of Hringr'. It could also mean 'ring-shaped village'. This surname falls into the category of habitation names, which are based on pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads. The Viking invasions of the 8th to 11th centuries had a significant influence on British place names, particularly in the North of England and Scotland. While the name is somewhat rare, it is most prevalent in England where it originated. Like many surnames, variations of spelling can include Ringam, Ringum, and Ryngham. Research on individual family history is recommended for more specific information about lineage and regional significance.

Ringham: Where does the name Ringham come from?

The last name Ringham is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom and other parts of Western Europe. Records of the Ringham surname date back to the 10th century in England, where it was used as a personal name. It is also seen in Germany, Austria, and some parts of Scandinavia, particularly Finland.

In the United Kingdom, Ringham is most heavily concentrated in the Orkney Islands of Scotland. There, records from the Middle Ages suggest that the Ringham family has strong connections to ancient royalty, with mentions of their name found in ancient manuscripts from the time. Today, the name is more widespread and can be found throughout parts of England, Scotland, and Wales.

In the United States, the Ringham surname is relatively uncommon. Since the 18th century, records indicate that the Ringham name was mostly confined to the Portsmouth, New Hampshire area. However, records do show that some branches of the Ringham name moved to other areas of New England, as well as other states in the U.S., particularly in later years.

The Ringham name is still seen in various parts of the world today, particularly in the UK and its former colonies. In any case, those who bear the name of Ringham can take pride in its long history, stretching back into the Middle Ages.

Variations of the surname Ringham

The surname Ringham has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include :

1. Ringem

2. Ringum

3. Ryngam

4. Ryngom

5. Ringe

6. Ring

7. Rinquam

8. Rinyam

9. Ringeham

10. Ringam

11. Rinkam

12. Ringan

13. Ringaham

14. Rignam

15. Ryngamme

These spellings may originate from different countries or regions. Ringham may have been spelled slightly differently during the migration process. It may also have begun to be spelled with an "e" added by some families (like Ryngem or Ringem) to distinguish it from other surnames.

Similarly, Ringham may have evolved into other surnames - such as Ryngam, Ryngom, or Ringan - due to dialectal speech or regional accents over time. Other variants may simply be the result of transposing letters or spelling changes made by careless scribes recording the surname.

Despite the sound and spelling differences among the various variant spellings and surnames of Ringham, they all share a single origin and can trace their lineage back to England in the Middle Ages. The name was likely derived from the Old English "hrind-ham" or "hrind-heim", meaning "the place of the deer."

Famous people with the name Ringham

• Dave Ringham: British comedian, senior team coach with British Association of Snowsport Instructors
• Mark Ringham: English cricketer
• Kirsten Ringham: former international model turned author and charity campaigner
• Robin Ringham: English chessplayer
• Delaina Ringham: Scottish actress and television presenter
• Abbe Ringham: comedy producer and "The Queen of All Media"
• Bonnie Ringham: professional voiceover artist
• Natalia Ringham: professional ballerina from the UK
• Steven Ringham: English architectural historian
• Jamila Ringham: professional basketball player from the UK
• Jamie Ringham: English soccer player
• Karen Ringham: British actress, singer, and writer
• Kim Ringham: English singer-songwriter
• Anita Ringham: British fashion designer
• Sarah Ringham: British actor and director
• Emma Ringham: British film composer
• Ashley Ringham: British contemporary visual artist
• Jim Ringham: British musician and composer
• Stewart Ringham: British composer and sound designer
• Tiana Ringham: British artist and fashion designer

Other surnames

Ringhand