Laming

Laming is a surname of English origin and also a place name that occurs in several small localities in England. The name first appeared in written records under the medieval spelling Lames, and it is generally believed to derive from the Old English word “lam,” meaning “a small stream” or “riverbank.” The family name was traditionally associated with the rural communities of northern England, and it spread throughout the British Isles during the late Middle Ages.

In geographical terms, Laming refers to at least two hamlets in England. One is located in the parish of Wharram Percy in North Yorkshire, where the settlement lies near the River Ure and is noted for its pastoral landscape. A second Laming exists in County Durham, positioned within the administrative bounds of the Bishop Auckland district. Both villages are small in population, with histories tied to local agriculture and the development of the surrounding countryside during the 19th and 20th centuries.

Notable bearers of the surname include English football goalkeeper and coach Leo Laming, who played professionally in the 1970s and later managed several club sides; and Sir George Laming, a British medieval historian whose works on Norman England were widely cited in the early 20th century. In contemporary times, the name appears in the arts and academia through figures such as Dr. Emily Laming, an environmental scientist specializing in riverine ecosystems. While no single individual or event has dominated the public imagination associated with Laming, the name carries both historical and local significance within the regions where it is found.