Surname Band - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'B'
Band: What does the surname Band mean?
The last name Band is of English origin and its meaning is “a narrow strip or stripe of color, fabric, or material.” It may also be derived from the Old English “band” meaning “bond” or “ties,” referring to a bond or relationship between people.
In some cases, the surname Band can be found as a nickname, derived from physical characteristics, such as hair color or features. For instance, someone with a light-colored band of hair across their forehead may have been given the last name Band.
In other cases, the surname Band may describe a specific profession or trade. For instance, a “band driver” would refer to someone who drives a band-wagon or group of musicians. Similarly, a “bond trader” or “bond salesman” would refer to someone who deals in bonds and similar financial instruments.
The last name Band is also sometimes found in Jewish families. In Hebrew, “band” can refer to a person’s connection or link to Judaism, such as through religious observances.
Overall, the last name Band is an interesting, multi-layered name, with many possible meanings that depend on the bearer’s personal history or profession.
Order DNA origin analysisBand: Where does the name Band come from?
The surname Band is primarily found in Eastern and Central Europe, with highest concentrations in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is found in various teachings of Judaism, such as Reform, Conservative, Ashkenazi, and Sephardic. In German speaking countries, it is believed to have originated as a topographical name for someone who lived near a band or strip of land, or even a strip of land that marked the boundary between two different areas.
The name is also found in the United Kingdom, particularly England, as well as in the United States. In both nations and countries, the name is more commonly found amongst the Jewish population. High concentrations are found in large cities, such as New York, London, and Los Angeles, as well as cities with large Jewish populations, such as Miami and Toronto.
The Band surname is also found in Norway, likely due to the migration of Jews to the region during the 13th and 14th centuries. This migration was often a result of persecution due to anti-Semitic laws, and the Band family likely moved to Norway to escape this mistreatment.
Today, the Band name is relatively uncommon, but pockets of it still exist in various parts of the world. The name will likely live on for many generations to come, showing that despite sometimes harsh circumstances, family lines can still thrive.
Variations of the surname Band
The surnames Band, Bands, Bande, Bandes, Bandy, Bandom and Bandow all have the same origin. Generally, this surname originated as an occupational name for a family that operated a band mill, where band iron was manufactured. The word “band” comes from Old English and was used to refer to either a tight-fitting strip of leather or a strip of metal used in various ways, such as a hatband. A band mill was a very specific type of machine used for rolling out iron into a thin and even strip, much like a rolling pin.
The most common variant of the surname Band is Bande, typically found in France and in regions of Germany that were once part of the French empire. From Old French “bend”, it was adopted by those who manufactured band iron or else worked in the mills. Bands, as a variant, is the plural of Band, and is most commonly used in England and parts of the United Kingdom.
Bandy and Bandow are both older variants of the surname – derived from Old English and Anglo-Saxon respectively – and are most often found in reference to specific families who were involved in manufacturing or trading band iron. Bandom, in turn, is a variant used in Scotland, where the spelling is used to refer to the Scottish place name of Bannockburn.
Famous people with the name Band
- Ringo Starr: English musician who was the drummer for the Beatles.
- Phil Band: American guitarist, singer and songwriter.
- Barbara Band: British actress, appearing in many TV series, films and stage productions.
- Jeff Band: American bluegrass musician and songwriter, also a founding member of the award-winning group "Blue Highway".
- Bob Band: American singer-songwriter, creating his own unique brand of folk-rock.
- Mark Band: English singer-songwriter and acoustic guitarist who has released three solo albums.
- Richard Band: Grammy nominated American composer and conductor who has scored many films.
- Mark Bandy: American singer, songwriter, producer, and artist manager, best known for his work with the band "The Temptations".
- Heshima Band: American jazz and funk singer, guitarist and keyboard player, formerly of the group "Brand New Heavies".
- Dave Band: American folk rock guitarist and singer-songwriter who has released five solo albums.