Surname Damme - Meaning and Origin
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Damme: What does the surname Damme mean?
The surname Damme is a topographic German surname, found mainly in the regions of Schleswig-Holstein and Saxony. It refers to those who lived on or near a dam, or a low wall used to keep back water.
The surname is shared by some notable people, including early film star and actor Jean-Claude Van Damme, and historian Peter Damme, who specialized in Roman law and the history of Roman imperial administration.
The surname Damme can be found in records as far back as the 16th century in Germany, and was also adopted in the United States during 19th century German immigration. In Germany, where it is found mainly in the northwest, the name is usually derived from the Old German word "damm" which is related to a low wall used to keep back water.
In modern times, the surname Damme is found mainly in Germany and the United States, though many German immigrants of centuries past were also known to have settled in other parts of the world such as South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
The etymology of the surname Damme is clear and has remained consistent for centuries, making it easy to trace its ancestor’s place of residence. The fact that it can be found in records across multiple centuries gives a sense of a long-lived lineage for those bearing this proud name.
Order DNA origin analysisDamme: Where does the name Damme come from?
The last name Damme is most commonly found in the region of Flanders, which is located in the northern part of Belgium. It was also historically present in some areas of the Netherlands, Luxembourg, among German speaking populations and Swiss.
Damme is a Dutch surname derived from the old Dutch word "demme" which means "dike" or "embankment". This is also the origin of the name of the Flemish municipality of Damme.
Today, people with the last name Damme can be found in various countries throughout Europe, including France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Switzerland. There are also sizable populations of Canadiens (mainly of French descent) with the last name Damme in Canada, as well as some in the United States.
Furthermore, the last name is a common one in the Philippines, where there are many people with Filipino-Belgian or Filipino-Dutch heritage.
Overall, the last name Damme is commonly associated with the Flemish region of Belgium due to its connection with the municipality of Damme and its origin in Old Dutch. However, it is widespread throughout Europe, Canada, the United States, and the Philippines due to population movements and migrations over the years.
Variations of the surname Damme
The surname Damme is a German origin name, usually associated with a place name. It can also be found in notable Dutch and Flemish regions, such as West Flanders. The variants, spellings and surnames of Damme can vary depending on the era and the region where it is found.
The most common variants of Damme are D’amme and Damm. These two spellings are usually found in Belgian and Dutch regions, respectively. Variations of the surname Damme can also be found with other spellings, such as Dam, D'amme, Damn, Dammee and Dammi.
The other surnames associated with the same origin as Damme are Dam, Damen, Damme, Dammen and Dammmann. These variants are sometimes found when the surname is found in areas far from the Flemish and Dutch roots.
In some cases, the surname Damme is found in shortened variants, such as D’am or Daem. This is a result of the spelling and pronunciation being modified over time in some instances.
Visiting the records in the regions where the surname is found is the best way to learn more about the variants and spellings of the surname Damme. To this day it is still widely used in Belgian, Dutch and Flemish regions.
Famous people with the name Damme
- Jean-Claude Van Damme: Jean-Claude Van Damme is a Belgian actor, martial artist, and director who rose to fame in the late 1980s in action films, most famously Bloodsport (1988). He went on to become successful in multiple Hollywood films and has since become an iconic action hero.
- Dolph Lundgren: Dolph Lundgren is a Swedish actor and martial artist. He is best known for his role as Ivan Drago in Rocky IV (1985). He has since appeared in numerous films in both action and comedic roles.
- Adamo Van Damme: Adamo Van Damme is a Belgian politician who served as a Member of the European Parliament for the Flanders region from 2004 to 2009.
- Bart Van Damme: Bart Van Damme is a Belgian comedian and actor. He is best known for his roles in the Sobibor series of films and has also appeared in numerous Belgian theatre productions.
- Stan Van Damme: Stan Van Damme is an actor and voice actor. He is best known for his roles in the Belgian television series Rupel and Pure Passion.
- Jan Van Damme: Jan Van Damme is a Belgian cyclist who competed in road bicycle racing from 1971 to 1985. He is a former Belgian national champion and won multiple stages in the Tour de France.
- Fons Van Damme: Fons Van Damme is a Belgian music producer and record executive. He has collaborated with various top artists, including Elton John and Celine Dion.
- Gerrit Van Damme: Gerrit Van Damme is a Dutch classical music composer and pianist. He has composed for ensembles and soloists, including Dutch National Opera and Amsterdam Wind Orchestra.