Surname Laman - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'L'
Laman: What does the surname Laman mean?
The surname Laman has multiple potential origins and meanings. It could be of Irish origin, where it is an anglicized form of the Gaelic surname "Ó Leamháin," meaning descendant of Leamhán. In this context, Leamhán is a personal name derived from the word 'leamhan,' which means 'elm.' This suggests that the family may have originally lived near an elm tree or in a place known for its elm trees.
Alternatively, Laman could be a Jewish Ashkenazi name, possibly derived from a pet form of the Yiddish male personal name Leyb, with the Slavic possessive suffix -man. In this context, Leyb means 'lion,' and it is often associated with the Hebrew name Yehuda, who is symbolized by a lion in Genesis 49:9 in the Old Testament.
A variant spelling, Leman, also exists and can be British or Dutch. In Britain, it was a Middle English nickname for a beloved person, derived from Middle English 'lemman' which means "sweetheart." In the Netherlands, it may have been derived from a short form of the Germanic personal name Liefman, meaning "dear man." Like many surnames, the exact meaning can differ based on geographic and cultural context.
Order DNA origin analysisLaman: Where does the name Laman come from?
The surname Laman is a derivative of the old French word 'Laun', which means a glade or a clearing in a wood. This suggests it may have first been used to refer to someone living near such a location. It is also believed to be a Dutch patronymic surname, coming from a personal name, and used to indicate 'son of Lame'. Variants include Lamon, Lamond, and Lamont.
Today, the Laman surname is quite rare, but it is somewhat popular in the United States, specifically in the states of Texas, Louisiana and Michigan. It is also found in the Netherlands, which aligns with its Dutch origin. However, it is found scattered worldwide and not particularly concentrated in a specific region. The name in recent years has incorporated into multiple nationalities and cultures due to the phenomenon of globalization. This suggests that the Laman surname likely spread out of Europe during the times of colonial expansion, resulting in its global dispersion.
Variations of the surname Laman
The surname Laman is believed to be of Irish, French, and possibly Dutch origin. Its spelling variants include Lammon, Lamon, Lamman, Layman, Lahman, Lehman, and Lyman. Prefixes like O' or Mc, as in O'Laman or McLaman, are also occasionally seen, indicating Irish origins. The name might also be spelled as Leaman in some regions, which is more common in the English-speaking world.
French versions of the name might be spelled as L'aman or L'amans. In Dutch or German-speaking regions, it might appear as Lehmann, Leeman, or Leemen. It's also plausible that it could be a variant of the French surname Leman, common in Normandy.
Surname variants tend to result from regional dialects and varying literacy levels when names were written down in official documents. As such, many variants of Laman might exist in local oral traditions as well.
In terms of surnames of the same origin, it's hard to directly track down accurate alternatives. But possibilities could include surnames derived from occupations or geographical features, since the surname Laman is believed to have originated from a description of 'someone living by a water source'.
Famous people with the name Laman
- Boyd Laman: American actor from the1960s and 1970s, known for roles in Wild Angels and The Outlaws Is Coming
- George Laman: American actor, known for his role in the TV-combat drama series Combat!
- Taylor Laman: American singer/songwriter, known for his debut EP “Everyone Else”
- Solange Laman: French actress, known for her roles in Immoral Tales and Fever
- Job Laman: Dutch footballer, who plays for Almere City FC
- Lord Laman: British lawyer and politician who served as Lord Mayor of London
- Alex Laman: American comedian and writer, known for his stand-up comedy specials
- Cliff Laman: American actor, best known for his role in The Hot Chick
- James Laman: Canadian actor, known for his role in the crime drama show Blood and Sand
- Gordon Laman: American writer and filmmaker, responsible for the short films Glowing in the Dark and Certainty