Surname Lymon - Meaning and Origin
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Lymon: What does the surname Lymon mean?
The last name Lymon is an anglicized version of the French and German name Laimer, and is thought to have descended from the old French name Lemon or Limon. It is believed to be derived from the French word “limon” meaning lemon. The name is thought to have been among the many French surnames brought to Britain by the Normans in 1066.
The name Lymon is believed to be most prominently found in the United Kingdom, specifically in southern Wales and southwestern England. A few records suggest that mention of this surname can also be found in Scotland and other areas of Northern Europe.
Variations of this surname include Leimom, Leimomme, Lemon, Limom, Limon, Limonnier, Limont, Limonts, and Limond. An alternate spelling in German is Laimers and in Dutch, it is written as Laaijers.
The name Lymon is rare, but the fame of the legendary American doo-wop singer Frankie Lymon, makes it recognizable and is likely what brought attention to the family name. Today, a growing number of American families are adopting the name. They may be inspired by the fame of the singer or the French origin of the name.
Order DNA origin analysisLymon: Where does the name Lymon come from?
The last name Lymon does not appear to be particularly common today, as it does not register on any major genealogical databases or naming websites.
The surname Lymon is thought to be of English or Scottish origin. It has various possible origins, such as a nickname for someone with a particularly pleasant singing voice, or a variation of the name Lemon. It is thought to have originally been an occupational surname, referring to those who worked with lemons, such as lemon merchants.
Research suggests that the surname is not widely used today. In the UK there are believed to be fewer than 500 bearers of the family name. In the US, the surname Lymon appears to be even less common, with only a handful occurrences of it primarily concentrated in the South and the Midwest.
The best-known bearer of the last name Lymon is possibly the late American singer, Frankie Lymon, whose work was popular in the 1950s. Moreover, the surname is associated with the ‘Lymon Principle’ developed by William Lymon, the longtime president of the American Optometric Association.
With the surname appearing to be rare but not extinct, it is still possible to find individuals from the family Lymon today.
Variations of the surname Lymon
The surname Lymon is derived from the French surname Lemoine, which has been anglicized as Lymon. This surname had multiple variants in the past, including Lymonais, Lemone, Lemonte, Lemont, L'Eman, LeMone, Lemanes, LeMones, Lemontey, LeMay, and Lemoneau. Regional variations may include LaMoine, Limonn, LaMonee, LaMeyne, and Laymon.
The origin of the surname Lymon is a combination of two French words, leo (which means lion) and mons (which means hill). The combination of these two words then became "Leohomons" which eventually was anglicized to Lymon.
Despite all the variants and spellings, the meaning of the name Lymon remains the same: “the hill of the lion”. This name is still seen today as a common last name in France. It is also common in many other countries, such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
As with many surnames, Lymon has several derivatives, which some people may go by as a surname. For example, some may go by variations such as Lymons, Limon, and Lemon.
Overall, Lymon is a surname of French origin that has wide-spread global diversity. Its many variants and derivatives have certainly helped to make the surname more popular and widespread throughout the years.
Famous people with the name Lymon
- Frankie Lymon: Known widely as the enigmatic lead singer of the Doo-wop group The Teenagers, Lymon had a hit single at just 13 years old with "Why Do Fools Fall in Love," and he would go on to be one of the most influential singers of his generation.
- Robert Lymon: An R&B/Soul and Gospel singer and songwriter, Robert Lymon is best known for his hit singles "What A Difference A Day Makes" and "Let Me Down Easy."
- Earl "Speedo" Carroll: Earl "Speedo" Carroll was part of the Doo-wop group The Cadillacs, where he was the lead singer. He and the other members of the group often backed up Frankie Lymon on some of his later songs.
- Richard Lymon: Richard Lymon made several appearances on various television shows, including That Girl and The Monkees. He was the younger brother of Frankie Lymon.
- Michael Lymon: Michael Lymon is an American author and artist. He is the son of Richard Lymon and the nephew of Frankie Lymon.
- Harvey Lymon: Harvey Lymon was a founding member of the Doo-wop group The Teenagers. He wrote several of the groups songs, including "Why Do Fools Fall in Love."
- Ernie Lymon: Ernie Lymon is a bassist, singer, and composer. His compositions include "Do Baby (Do)" and "Don't Break My Heart". He has played with various bands, including The Lymon Marvels and The Lymon Five.
- Timothy Lymon: Timothy Lymon is an American comedian, writer, and musician. He has been featured on the TV show Tosh.0 and has released music with his band, The Lymon Brigade. He also wrote for the television series Love That Girl!
- Edward Lymon: Edward Lymon was an American basketball player who played two seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA. He was the first player from Saint Joseph's University to be drafted to the NBA.