Surname Tatum - Meaning and Origin
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J. Tatum
read moreTatum: What does the surname Tatum mean?
The last name Tatum is of English origin, derived from the Old English personal name Tata, with the addition of "ham," meaning home or homestead. Thus, it's typically interpreted as "Tata's homestead". The name Tata is considered to be an informal pet name during the Middle Ages, making the last name likely to mean "homestead of a beloved person". The surname Tatum was first found in Northumberland, a county in North East England. The name is also believed to have Danish roots where Tata was also a popular personal name. In the United States, the distant origins of the Tatum surname have led to a diverse range of pronunciation variants including Tat-ham, Tay-tum, and Tat-um.
Order DNA origin analysisTatum: Where does the name Tatum come from?
The last name Tatum is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in states in the Midwest and South. The five states with the highest concentration of people with the last name Tatum are: Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Tatum is the 873rd most common surname in the United States, with an estimated 23,061 people bearing this name.
The name Tatum dates back to the 11th century, with the first recorded use of the name in England and Wales. It was a locational surname derived from a place called Tatum in Shropshire where many families bearing this surname settled.
The surname is sometimes considered to be of French origin, as a variant spelling of the word 'tâtou' which means 'armadillo' in French. It is also possibly derived from the Middle English word 'tate', meaning 'to gallop'.
Today, Tatum is a popular surname, with the highest concentration of the name being found in the Southern United States. As an anglicized version of a French word, the name Tatum is thought to signify a person who was an adventurer, or who was eager to explore and travel.
Variations of the surname Tatum
The surname Tatum is of English origin and has many variants and spellings. The most commonly seen include Tatom, Tatum, Tatom, Tatum, Tattam, Tatam, Tatem, Taton and Tatham.
These surnames are all cognates with each other, indicating a shared common ancestor, likely dating back to the times of the Norman Conquest, when the languages of England were undergoing significant changes.
In its various spellings, this surname is often found in records throughout the United Kingdom and the United States. It is also found in other parts of the world, such as India, Ireland, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia.
In the United States, the most commonly found variants of this name are Tatom and Tatum. This is likely because many of the original American settlers with this surname had their names misspelled due to inexperience with recording family names.
In England, the most common variants of Tatum are Tattam and Tatom. This surname is particularly popular in the Midlands part of the United Kingdom, and there are quite a few family lines tracing their ancestry back to this area.
No matter the spelling, the surname Tatum, and its various cognates, are widely found throughout the English-speaking world. It is also an old and respected name, with many proud and distinguished bearers over the centuries.
Famous people with the name Tatum
- Channing Tatum: Hollywood actor and former dancer, well known for his roles in 21 Jump Street, White House Down, Magic Mike, etc.
- Jenna Dewan: American actress and dancer, known for her guests roles on month sitcoms, starring in NBC’s drama The Playboy Club, and her marriage to former husband Channing Tatum.
- Reid Tatum: Former American record producer, guitarist, and composer. He is best known for producing tracks for R. Kelly, Brandy, Usher and more.
- Jerry Tatum: Former American professional basketball player for NBA’s New York Knicks.
- Chris Tatum: Professional wrestler and former NFL player, currently signed by WWE.
- Bre Tatum: Professional basketball player who currently plays for WNBA’s Connecticut Sun.
- Ashton Tatum: Former professional basketball player and head coach of the men's basketball team at the University of Central Florida.
- Rachel Tatum: Professional children's book author known for her picture books Princes and Pirates.
- Chris Tatum: Actor who has appeared in films such as The Fault in Our Stars, The Spectacular Now, The Hunger Games, 21 Jump Street, and more.
- Jason Tatum: Sunglass designer and CEO of Saint Luxe sunglasses.