An Scottish, Irish and German surname, the Fleming family name started in the Lower Saxony region of Germany. The German term of ’flame’ and the Old French ternm of ‘flamenc’ meant fire flame. Many families later lived in the low countries like Belgium and the Netherlands. The surname spread to other European areas included the British Isles.

Spelling variations for Fleming include Flemming, Flemmingen, Flemmig, Fleminge, Viemming, Flehmig, Flamic, Flemisch, Flaemisch and Flamen. The German spelling is Flemming.

One of the earliest settlers to the New World was Thomas Fleming who came to Jamestown, Virginia in 1616.

In Scotland the Fleming families primarily live in Lanarkshire, Midlothian and Renfrewshire counties. Northern England in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Durham and Cumberland, along with London is where most Fleming individuals live.

In Canada and Australia are many descendants of Fleming families who resettled to those countries in the 19th century.

The states of Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Texas, West Virginia, Michigan and California have a sizable Fleming surname population.


Famous: Ian Fleming (English author), Rhonda Fleming (actress), Justin Fleming (playwright in Australia), Williamina Fleming (19th century astronomer in Scotland), Peggy Fleming (professional ice skater), Vern Fleming (professional basketball player), Art Fleming (TV personality and announcer), Sanford Fleming (established Universal Standard Time and a 24 hour world clock), Victor Fleming (film director), Clas Fleming (17th century Swedish explorer) and Willie Fleming (football player in Canada).