Surname Lumley - Meaning and Origin
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Lumley: What does the surname Lumley mean?
The surname Lumley is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is a locational name, meaning it originally referred to the location where the family lived. It is derived from a place called "Lumley" in the county of Durham, North-east England. The name Lumley itself originated from Old English words 'lum' meaning 'pool', and 'leah', meaning 'forest, clearing'. Therefore, Lumley can be translated to mean "clearing with a pool". These types of surnames were used especially when families moved from their original location, carrying the name of their birthplace with them. Therefore, the spread of the name often follows patterns of migration. It's to be noted that different branches of the Lumley family may have different familial coats of arms as the symbol was often granted to individuals, not to families or through inheritance.
Order DNA origin analysisLumley: Where does the name Lumley come from?
The surname Lumley is of English origin and has its roots in the Northern part of the country. The name is derived from a place called Lumley, located in the county of Durham. The literal translation of Lumley is 'a clearing in the forest' derived from the Old English terms "leah" which means clearing, and "lumb" which refers to a pool. It is an example of a habitational surname, given to residents who hailed from that locality.
Today, the surname Lumley is fairly distributed across England. However, it's predominantly found in the North East, remaining true to its Durham roots. It is also reasonably common in the United States, Australia, and Canada as these countries experienced significant migration from England during the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries. The name might be recognized by many due to prominent figures like the English actress Joanna Lumley. Nevertheless, despite its appearances in certain countries and pop-culture, Lumley is not considered a particularly common surname worldwide.
Variations of the surname Lumley
The surname Lumley originates from the United Kingdom, particularly the region of Northern England. It is considered a habitational name, derived from places called Lumley in Durham, and the now lost Lumley in Wiltshire. The name is derived from the Old English "lum", meaning a pool, and "leah", meaning a clearing or meadow.
Variations of the surname Lumley can include Lomley, Loomley, Limley, Lumly, and Lumle. It's possible that surnames like Lumbley or Lumbly may also be variants, although this is less common. Some factors that contributed to these variations include regional dialects, phonetic spelling, and changes over time due to migration and cultural blending. As it happens with many surnames, Lumley's variations can also be due to erroneous transcriptions in historical records or census documents. However, Lumley remains the most standard and recognized spelling.
Associated surnames of the same origin could also include those derived from similar Old English place names, although these might not directly link to the Lumley line, such as Lum, Lumb, Lumby, and Leah.
Famous people with the name Lumley
- Joanna Lumley: Joanna Lumley is an actor, writer, presenter, model and activist. She is best known for her award winning performance as Patsy Stone in the comedy sitcom Absolutely Fabulous, and for her roles as Mrs. Adefre in The Autojacker’s Daughter and Purdey on The New Avengers.
- Juliette Lumley: Juliette Lumley is a British journalist and broadcaster. She is well known for her appearances on Top Gear and Have I Got News For You, and for her work with human rights organisations including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.
- Emma Lumley: Emma Lumley is an English actress and singer, best known for her roles as Josie Evans in The Bill and Helena in EastEnders.
- Anthony Lumley: Anthony Lumley is a British actor and comedian, best known for his roles in TV shows such as Blackadder, Red Dwarf, Haven't We Met Before?, and Rab C. Nesbitt.
- Clive Lumley: Clive Lumley is an English actor and stage director, best known for his appearances in stage productions of West End musicals and dramas such as Freaky Friday The Musical, The Sound of Music, and The Woman in White.
- Sarah Lumley: Sarah Lumley is an English actor and writer, best known for her role in the popular sitcom Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps.
- Zoe Lumley: Zoe Lumley is an English singer and songwriter, best known for her charting singles 'Snowflake' and 'You and I'.