Surname Coldham - Meaning and Origin

Coldham: What does the surname Coldham mean?

The last name Coldham is of English origin and is derived from the Old English words “cald” (meaning cold) and “ham” (meaning homestead or village). The name was most likely given to those originally from a particular cold and rugged location or region.

The name Coldham would have been given to those who lived in an area associated with a cold climate, whether it be because of its geographic location or its high elevation. For example, if an individual lived in a mountainous region, it would be quite likely that his or her last name was Coldham.

As time passed, the name Coldham also became associated with those who were known for being "cold-hearted," a quality that is still linked with the name today. Such a person would have been seen as distant or aloof, perhaps even unsociable or humorless.

Thus, the surname Coldham would have conjured up connotations of a harsh and unforgiving environment, certain personality traits, or both. It is a name that conveys a rugged and determined spirit, but one that may also hint at a certain frigidity or lack of emotional warmth.

Coldham: Where does the name Coldham come from?

The last name Coldham can be found throughout the United Kingdom and countries of the former British Empire, including Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The earliest record of the name is found in 1209 in Norfolk, England. Since then, the name has been found across a range of locations in the UK, with higher concentrations of Coldhams primarily in the East of England, including in Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, and Northamptonshire.

In Canada, Coldhams are most commonly found in the province of Ontario, where the name first appears in the 1871 Census. There are also many Coldhams found in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia.

In Australia, most Coldhams are found in the state of Victoria, where the name appears in records from the 1860s and onwards. Tasmania, New South Wales, and Queensland also have some records of the name, as do other countries with a significant British population, including the United States, South Africa, and India.

The Coldham name continues to be one of the most ancient and widespread surnames in the UK and beyond. It is a true mark of Anglo-Saxon heritage and continues to be one of the most common surnames in its areas of origin.

Variations of the surname Coldham

The Coldham surname has a few variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These are listed below:

Coldham: This is the most common variant of the Coldham surname. It is an English surname derived from the Old English word “coldham”, which refers to a dwelling near a cold river. Other spellings are Coltham, Colltham, Coldam, and Cauldam.

Coldom: This variant is thought to be a variation of the Coldham surname, with an additional ending of -om, derived from a Malayalam word.

Coldon: This variant is derived from a Middle English word which was in turn from the Old English word “coldene”, used to refer to a cold spring.

Coltham: This variant is believed to have been derived from the Old English word “col”, which means “coal”.

Cauldam: This variant is also derived from the Old English word “cald”, which means “cold”.

Goldham: This variant is derived from the Old English word “goldham”, which means “golden”.

Gouldam: This variant is thought to have been derived from the Old Norse word “gol”, which means “yellow”.

Coldman: This variant is thought to have been derived from the Old English word “coldmann”, which means “cold-necked man”.

Coldwell: This variant is thought to be derived from the Old English words “cold” and “wella”, which mean “cold spring”.

Culham: This variant is believed to have been derived from the Old English word “culhama”, which refers to the back portion of an estate.

Culhan: This variant is thought to be derived from the Old English word “culhana”, which means “back of the house”.

Calham: This variant is believed to have been derived from an old Welsh word “calham”, which meant “old settlement”.

All of these surnames and variations are generally thought to be of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Coldham

• Peter Coldham: A genealogist and an author who has written several books on genealogy.
• Julia Coldham: A British television presenter who has co-presented shows on BBC Three and Quest.
• Graham Coldham: A former English football player who played professional football for Reading, Swindon Town, and Crewe Alexandra.
• Tony Coldham: An English former professional football player who played for Walsall and Port Vale.
• Harriet Coldham: A former English rower who competed at the 2000 Summer Olympic Games.
• Lawrence Coldham: A Canadian- British scholar and author who has written a number of books on British history and the history of the British Empire.
• Baron Coldham: An English baronet who held the title of Baron Coldham during the 19th century.
• Francis Coldham: An English landowner and High Sheriff of Suffolk who inherited the stately home borough in 1778.
• Thomas Coldham: An English former professional footballer who played for Birmingham City and Northampton Town.
• Adrian Coldham: A British Formula One racing driver who competed under the Manor Grand Prix team.

Other surnames

Coldhill