Peckham
A surname from Peckham in Kent, originally meaning someone from that place.
The #6,882 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 63,203 Americans shares it.
Etymology
Peckham is a habitational surname taken from the place-name Peckham in Kent. The name is usually explained as meaning “the home or estate of Pecc(a),” with the second element coming from Old English hām, meaning home, village, or estate. The first element is likely an old personal name, though the exact form is not entirely certain in these older sources.
History
Historical sources note the place as early as the 10th century, and the surname was established from people identified by that locality. One medieval bearer, Archbishop Peckham, is sometimes mentioned as helping to give the family wider prominence. The name later spread beyond Kent, with variants such as Packham appearing as natural spelling shifts.
Origin
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Fun fact
The surname is tied to Peckham in Kent, which is recorded in early medieval forms such as Peccham.
From the historical record
“Roger le Peckere. — Huud. Rolls. PECKHAM (Eng.) Bel. to Peckham=PECc(A)'s or P^cc(a)'s Home [O.E. Mm, home, estate] Peckham, Kent, occurs inthe loth cent. as Peccham. Cp. Packham. PECKOVER \ (Eag.) Dweller at the Peak- PECOVER I Edge (V. Peck, Peak, and +”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)