Surname Odoms - Meaning and Origin

Odoms: What does the surname Odoms mean?

The surname Odoms is of Old English origin, related to the name Odom, which itself originates from the personal name Odda or Odde, combined with the suffix "-dom" meaning "domain of". In context, Odoms can be interpreted as "domain of Odda." The personal name Odda is derived from the Old English element "ord", meaning "point of a weapon." Additionally, the suffix "-dom" is a Middle English word that signifies 'statute, judgement', so the surname can also be understood as 'judgement of Odda'. This surname is often associated with English ancestors who lived in a place called Odda's home. Over time, regional and dialectal influences have led to variations of the spelling, including Odom and Odum. The surname Odoms has been prominent in the United States as well as Europe, especially in England. It must be noted that surname meanings may vary and interpretations might not be completely accurate, because surnames were created in many various ways, and their meanings evolved over centuries.

Odoms: Where does the name Odoms come from?

The last name Odoms is most commonly found today in the United States. According to the 1990 US Census, the Odoms family name is most numerous in Mississippi, where it ranks as the 56th most common surname. It is also found in high numbers in Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, and North Carolina. Additionally, the Odoms name has a strong presence in many other states in the Southeast: Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Florida, and South Carolina.

The Odoms name is thought to have evolved from an old English personal name "Oda" or "Odina," which has its roots in Old Norse origins. It is believed that, much like many other last names in the United States, the name was carried to this country by British settlers in the 17th century.

Today, the Odoms family name isn't as widely known as it once was, however, it is still fairly common in most of the southern states in the United States.

Variations of the surname Odoms

Odoms is an anglicised spelling of the surname "Odhams," which itself has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include Otham, Othums, Odam, Othems, Odums, and Odhams. All of these names can be traced back to an Old English surname, which was derived from the pre 7th century personal name "Ode". The personal name was an Old Germanic personal name of great antiquity and stems from the Old Germanic "Othomar," ultimately meaning " Priceless".

The form "Odham" is found mainly in the south of England, and is one of the oldest English surnames, being recorded since at least 1250. Otham was a variant preferred by families in the northern counties of England, and seems to be a later variation, first recorded in the late 16th century. Other variants such as Othums, Odam, and Othems were common amongst families in East Anglia and can be found in records dating back to the early 16th century. In Scotland, the name Odums is still relatively rare; however certain branches of the family, originating in Essex and Norfolk, moved north and may have established the family in Scotland in the mid-17th century.

Surnames of a similar origin to Odoms include Hades, Oddy, Oades and Odell. The variants "Hods" and "Hodds" are thought to possibly be old dialectal forms of "Odhams". In certain parts of Lancashire, the word "Odhams" is often spelled as "Odems" and this is an accepted spelling in some family trees.

Overall, Odoms is a surname of ancient origins, and has many variants and spellings, both old and new. Given its antiquity, many surnames of similar derivation are evident, both in England and Scotland.

Famous people with the name Odoms

• C.J. Odoms: Former NFL cornerback who played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Washington Football Team.
• Catalina Odoms: Actress known for her roles in films such as The Craft and Miracle on 34th Street.
• Moses Odoms: Retired American basketball player who played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA.
• Michael Odoms: College football coach and former All-American running back for the University of Arkansas.
• Charles Odoms: Former NFL defensive end who played for the New England Patriots and the San Francisco 49ers.
• Thomas Odoms: Jazz musician and record producer who has worked with a number of well-known artists.
• Jason Odoms: Former NFL wide receiver who played for the Oakland Raiders and the Washington Football Team.
• Deonte Odoms: Defensive back who had a brief stint in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers.
• BritneyOdoms: Professional dancer and choreographer who has performed with a number of popular musicians.
• Jake Odoms: Singer-songwriter who has released multiple records and has performed at various festivals and events.

Other surnames

Odom