Ram
A nickname surname that likely began as a label for someone thought to resemble a ram, or perhaps from a byname meaning strong or vigorous.
The #8,547 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 80,131 Americans shares it.
Etymology
The most common explanation is that Ram began as a nickname from the animal name, referring to a ram’s strength, toughness, or headstrong nature. Some older writers also connect it with Germanic words meaning "strong" or "vigorous," which could have reinforced the nickname sense. Either way, the surname is best understood as a short, descriptive byname rather than a place-name.
History
Medieval records show forms such as Geoffrey le Ram and William atte Ramme in 13th-century England, which fits an English nickname surname in early use. The name appears in several spellings, including Ram and Ramm, and later survived as a relatively uncommon hereditary surname. Some 19th-century writers also noted a possible Latinized form, Aries, as a learned variant of the same name.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
A 19th-century surname dictionary explicitly glossed Ram as "the ram," showing how directly medieval nicknames often entered hereditary surnames.
From the historical record
“RALPHS, Ralph's (Son) : v. Ralph. RAM \ (Teut.) i a nickname and sign-name RAMM J from the Ram [O.E. ram{m = Dut. ram — Ger. ramm] Geoffrey le Ram. — Hund. Rolls, A.D. 1274. William atte Ramme. —”
— Surnames of the United Kingdom: a concise etymological dictionary (2 vols in 1)