Aram Family History

From Averham (Notts), which is recorded as Aigrun in 1086, Ægrum in about 1180, Earom in 1276, Agheram in 1277, Aram in 1280, and Averam in 1316. The etymology of the place-name is uncertain.

It may derive from Latin augurium and Medieval Latin *agurium ‘omen’, with reference to the well-known phenomenon called the eagre, a tidal bore on the river Trent.

Another possibility is that it derives from one or more of the places in Yorkshire with names derived from Old Scandinavian *ǽrgum ‘at the shielings’, which is the dative plural of *ǽrgi ‘shieling pasture’.

Examples include Arram in Atwick, Argam in Hunmanby, and Arram in Leconfield (all East Riding of Yorkshire), as well as Airyholme in Hovingham, Airy Hill in Whitby, Airy Holme in Great Ayton, and Eryholme (all North Riding of Yorkshire).

These places are recorded as Erghum, Ergom, and similar variations in medieval documents.