Didymus One-Name Study

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The Didymus/Diddams one-name study is in its infancy and, currently,(April 2007)

the site owner is endeavouring to collect as much archival material as he

can to form a database. However, enquiries are very welcome regarding any

of the name variants given.

Whilst it is considered that the basic spelling of the name is Didymus, the

following variations have been found in parish records et al - Didam, Didamms,

Didams, Didamus, Diddam, Didamms, Diddamus, Diddemas, Diddems, Diddemus,

Diddims, Diddimus, Diddmas, Diddoms, Diddums, Diddymas,Didemus, Didham,

Didhams, Didmas, Didimus, Didoms, Didums, Didymas, Dyddims, Dydemas,

Dydimas, Dydimus, Dydums.

Believed to be of Biblical origin since Thomas Didymus was one of the

twelve disciples and the orignal Doubting Thomas. It has been

conjectured that Thomas was the twin brother of Matthew but others

make Thomas the twin of James. Hence he acquired the second name

'Didymus' which, in Greek, means 'twin'.

The name is by no means common and appears to have its origins in

Hampshire in the triangle bounded by Portsmouth, Southampton and

Winchester. The 1881 census shows it to have spread to other counties.