Surname Slocombe - Meaning and Origin

Slocombe: What does the surname Slocombe mean?

The last name Slocombe is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is considered a topographical surname, deriving from the geographic location where an individual lived or where they owned land. It is believed to derive from the Old English words "slough," which means "bog" or "marsh," and "cumb," which means "valley." This suggests that the original bearers of the Slocombe surname lived near or in a marshy valley. Surnames like Slocombe were first used in the medieval period as a way to distinguish between individuals with the same personal name. It's common in parts of England such as Devon and Somerset. Like many surnames that stem from location-specific terms, the distribution of people with the Slocombe surname is likely to be influenced by the topography of the places where it originated.

Slocombe: Where does the name Slocombe come from?

The surname Slocombe is a name of English origin that is associated with the county of Devon, in the South West of England. It is a somewhat uncommon name, but it is found in places all over the world, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

It is believed that the surname evolved from an Old English personal name 'Sloght', which means 'brown' or 'dark-complexioned'. Slocombe has had a presence in Devon since at least the 13th century, and today this name is still occasionally found in the region.

In modern times, however, the surname Slocombe is most common in the United States. This is probably due to the increased presence of people with English heritage in that country following mid to late 19th century migration waves. As of 2018, the largest concentration of people with the last name Slocombe in the United States were found in California, Texas, and New Hampshire.

Outside the United States, Slocombe is found sparingly in other countries. Its occurrence is highest in the United Kingdom, but it is also present in smaller numbers in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Overall, the last name Slocombe is found all over the world, though it is more common in the United States than anywhere else. Those who bear this name can take pride in its English origins and long history in Devon.

Variations of the surname Slocombe

The surname Slocombe is derived from an old English word meaning 'at the hollow'. Originally, Slocombe was spelt as Slocomb, but due to variations in spelling throughout time, the surname is now more commonly seen as Slocombe. Variants, spellings and surnames of this origin include Slocombe, Slocomb, Slocombs, Slocoumbe, Slocom, Slocombe, Slecomber, and Slowcombe.

The Slocombe family originates just south of London, and the first recorded spelling of the name was in the year 1250. The prefix, ‘de’ is commonly used in the name, as this indicated that the family was of a noble or prestigious order. The ‘de’ prefix is used in the spelling Slecombder and Slowcombe.

The first Slocombe to arrive in the United States of America was Thomas Slocombe in 1635. Since then, Slocombe has spread across the United States and has been in existence for more than 300 years. Variations of this surname are found within the United States, such as Slocum and Slocumb.

Throughout the centuries, Slocombe has evolved and spread across the globe. Despite the variations, Slocombe is a name with an entire family and cultural heritage worth exploring.

Famous people with the name Slocombe

• Peter Slocombe, Australian actor best known for his roles in television shows, such as The Flying Doctors and Bellbird.
• Mark Slocombe, Australian actor and scriptwriter best known for his roles in television shows, such as Neighbours and A Country Practice.
• Paul Slocombe, English comedian, film director, writer and actor. Notable works include Sense and Sensibility and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
• Walter Slocombe, American lawyer, diplomat and government official. Notable works include serving as US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy from 1994 to 2001.
• George Slocombe, English actor and writer known for his performances on radio, television and the stage.
• Emma Slocombe, British actress most known for her performance as Lisa in the television series The Brittas Empire.
• Julie Slocombe, English theatre actress and singer-songwriter. Notable works include Into The Woods, Streetcar Named Desire and Educating Rita.
• Hilda Slocombe, English dressmaker during the Edwardian Period who contributed to the development of the corset.
• Arthur Slocombe, English artist who was primarily known for his landscape and figure paintings.
• Amy Slocombe, English geologist and teacher who contributed significantly to the fields of geology and geomorphology.

Other surnames

Slocomb