Surname Lemen - Meaning and Origin
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Lemen: What does the surname Lemen mean?
The surname Lemen is of English origin and is believed to derive from the medieval personal name "Lefman," which is a compound of the Old English elements "leof," meaning "dear, beloved," and "mann," meaning "man." Over the centuries, it evolved into the variants Leman, Leeman, and Lemen. It is primarily found in East Anglia in the UK, suggesting a regional origin. As it is convention with most English surnames that originated from personal names, Lemen would have likely begun as a patronymic nickname – "the son of Lefman." Like many surnames, spelling variations occurred over time and across geographies influenced by factors such as dialect and literacy levels. It is also possible that it represents a variant of the surname "Lemon," originated from the Middle English, Old French "limon," signifying someone who dealt with the sale or cultivation of lemons.
Order DNA origin analysisLemen: Where does the name Lemen come from?
The surname Lemen is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is chiefly found in England and the United States, specifically in states such as California, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. It is derived from the Old English personal name Leofman, consisting of elements ‘Leof’ meaning ‘dear or beloved’ and ‘man’ referring to ‘man or servant’.
In England, this last name is most common in the western and northern regions. It was first recorded in Norfolk in Eastern England in the 13th century. Alternately, it could be a variant of the name Lemon, of French origin, recorded in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066.
Irrespective of its origin, the surname Lemen is considered quite rare today. Even in countries where it's most commonly found, it's not among the well-distributed last names. Its prevalence is still highest in the U.S. and England, but individuals with this surname can also be found in Canada and Australia.
Variations of the surname Lemen
The surname Lemen has multiple variants and similar spellings that vary due to geographical localization, dialects, and individual or clerical errors over time. Some of the common variations include Lemmen, Lemmon, Lemon, Lamon, Leman, and Lehman. Certain versions take on a prefix or a suffix, or interchange vowels and consonants such as O'Lemon, Leamon, and Lemmings.
The surname was originally derived from the Old English word "Leofman" which means "beloved man." This would suggest that its origins might also translate across languages resulting in similar surnames like Liebman or Lubman in German, or Liefman in Dutch.
Surnames that might share the same origin due to the "beloved man" translation include names such as Loveday, Lovejoy, or Lovell from the English language.
In terms of geographical distribution, the surnames Lemmon and Lemon are most commonly found in the United States, Lemmen is found predominantly in The Netherlands, Leman is most common in France, while Lehman is common in Germany and Jewish communities. Note that different variants may be linked to both direct lineage and unrelated families due to similar naming conventions.
Famous people with the name Lemen
- Mike Lemen: Former American professional basketball player.
- Jack Lemen: American politician and lawyer from Illinois.
- Shelly Lemen: Actress and television presenter, known for her roles in the television series “Who’s the Boss?” and “Charles in the City.”
- Lucy Lemen: Ph.D., M.A., Clinical Psychology and also Founder/Director, Writer/Editor, Totos and Teens Magazine.
- Tom Lemen: Head basketball coach for Illinois State University.
- Kaitlyn Lemen: Softball player for Oklahoma State University.
- Paul Lemen: Actor known for his roles in “You Can’t Take It with You” and “Father of the Bride Part II.”
- Justin Lemen: Former professional baseball player.
- Mel Lemen: American musician, singer, and composer.
- Chris Lemen: Actor, known for his roles in “Blood Money” and “Burn Notice.”