Contents [hide]

Southam History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Citations

Southam History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Early Origins of the Southam family

The surname Southam was first found in Suffolk at Sotherton, a parish, in the union and hundred of Blything. 1 This local name was derived from the term "the southern" meaning "from the south" and from the Middle English word "sothern." 2

Perhaps Chaucer in his famous Canterbury Tales sums up this surname best "But trusteth wel, I am a sothern man."

Early rolls proved the widespread spellings of the family from ancient times: Geoffrey le Sutherne in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1243; Robert le Sotherun in the Subsidy Rolls of Yorkshire in 1297; John le Southeren in Yorkshire in 1307; Henry le Suthreen in the Assize Rolls of Staffordshire in 1325; Hugh and Henry le Sotheron in the Subsidy Rolls of Derbyshire in 1327; Agnes le Southeron in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1327; Richard Sothereran, a Freeman of York in 1352; and Thomas Sothryn in Yorkshire in 1387. 3

Sutherne was a spelling used in Scotland in early days as shown by "Thomas le Sutherne was received to the English king's peace in 1321." 4

Back in England, Yorkshire proved to be a popular county for the family as by the time of the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379, we found: Willelmus Sothom; Willelmus Sotheron; Johannes Sotheron; and Ricardus Sothryn as all holding lands there at that time. 2

Early History of the Southam family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Southam research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1584, 1660, 1676, 1678, 1682 and 1746 are included under the topic Early Southam History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Southam Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Southern, Sotherton, Sotherne, Sotheron and others.

Early Notables of the Southam family

Distinguished members of the family include John Southern or Soowthern (fl. 1584), and English "poetaster, seems to have been born in England, and was doubtless connected with...
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Southam Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Southam family to Ireland

Some of the Southam family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 106 words (8 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Southam migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Southam Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Gordon H. Southam, aged 21, who settled in America from London, England, in 1907
Alfred Southam, aged 32, who landed in America from Hatford, England, in 1909
John William Southam, aged 6, who landed in America from Cleator. England, in 1912
Robert Southam, aged 8, who landed in America from Cleator, England, in 1912
Herbert Samuel Southam, aged 49, who immigrated to America from Norwich, England, in 1919
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Southam migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Southam Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

Beatrice Southam, aged 31, who immigrated to Hamilton, Canada, in 1909
Fred N. Southam, aged 43, who settled in Montreal, Canada, in 1913
Margaret Southam, aged 13, who settled in Montreal, Canada, in 1913
Mary Southam, aged 3, who immigrated to Hamilton, Canada, in 1915
Annie Southam, aged 5, who settled in Hamilton, Canada, in 1915
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Southam migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Southam Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Southam who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 4th August 1836, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 5
John Southam, aged Selina Victoria, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Rajasthan" in 1838 6
John Southam, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Baboo" in 1848 7

Contemporary Notables of the name Southam (post 1700) +

James Southam (b. 1978), American Olympic cross country skier
James Henry "Jack" Southam (1917-1982), English professional footballer
Tom Southam (b. 1981), former English competitive cyclist
Glen Andrew James Southam (b. 1980), English footballer
Harry Stevenson Southam (1875-1954), Canadian newspaper publisher of The Ottawa Citizen, Chancellor of Carleton College (1952 to 1954)
Richard Russell Southam (1907-1994), Canadian politician, Member of Parliament in the Canadian House of Commons
Ann Southam CM (1937-2010), Canadian composer
Tim Southam (b. 1961), Canadian Genie Award winning television and film director
William Southam (1843-1932), Canadian newspaper publisher, one-time owner of the Hamilton Spectator, Ottawa Citizen, Calgary Herald, Edmonton Journal, Windsor Star and Montreal Gazette
Brigadier William Wallace Southam (b. 1901), Canadian Commanding Officer 6th Canadian Brigade, Dieppe 8

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) RAJASTHAN 1838. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1838Rajasthan.htm
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) BABOO 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Baboo.htm
Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2011, October 3) William Southam. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Southam/William_Wallace/Canada.html