This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Wham family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Wham Family History

Wham Surname Meaning

English: topographic name for someone who lived in a corner or angle of land from Old English hwamm ‘corner, angle or small valley’ (which may sometimes be from Old Norse hvammr).

It often denotes a geographical feature that signifies a distinct point of reference, particularly in rural settings.

Additionally, it can function as a habitational name derived from various locations that share this term.

For instance, there are several places called Wham in Yorkshire that illustrate the use of this term in naming conventions.

This highlights the significance of local geography in the development of surnames and place names throughout history.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


Similar surnames: 

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Wham family from?

You can see how Wham families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Wham family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Wham families were found in USA in 1880. In 1891 there were 11 Wham families living in Essex. This was about 37% of all the recorded Wham's in United Kingdom. Essex had the highest population of Wham families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Wham surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Wham ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Unpaid Domestic Duties was the top reported job for people in the United Kingdom named Wham. 100% of Wham women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties.

View Census Data for Wham | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    100%

What Wham family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 2,000 census records available for the last name Wham. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Wham census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Wham

Passenger Lists

There are 309 immigration records available for the last name Wham. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Wham immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 972 military records available for the last name Wham. For the veterans among your Wham ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Wham military records

You've only scratched the surface of Wham family history

Discover More

What is the average Wham lifespan?

Between 1954 and 2004, in the United States, Wham life expectancy was at its lowest point in 2002, and highest in 1992. The average life expectancy for Wham in 1954 was 34, and 89 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Wham

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Wham ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Wham family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial