Oldham Surname Meaning & Origin
What the Oldham last name means, where the surname began and how it spread.
Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the Oldham coat of arms for you.
Meaning and origin of the Oldham last name
Meaning of the Oldham last name: from Oldham, in Lancashire. Oldham is an English surname from the town of Oldham in Lancashire, probably from Old English ald, "old", and Old Norse holmr, raised ground. The last name spread through Lancashire and Cheshire. Bishop Hugh Oldham helped found Manchester Grammar School in 1515.
Arms associated with the Oldham name
Gold for generosity, blue for loyalty: coats of arms associated with the Oldham name speak heraldry's language of colour.
Get your full Oldham family history
This is only a glimpse of the Oldham story. The full Oldham history report goes much deeper into where the name began, who carried it and how the family spread, and it comes with a museum-style painted Oldham coat of arms. Get the full Oldham report.
Oldham name FAQ
What does the Oldham name mean?
from Oldham, in Lancashire. Common variants include Oldam, Oldom.
Where does the Oldham surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Australia and Canada.
Is there a Oldham coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals rather than to everyone with a surname. Herald Lab paints a personalized Oldham coat of arms in museum style, based on historic heraldry.
Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).