Family legend has it that the name originated in Roman days, and is Latin for grain. I've noticed a few other farm names in Oppland ending in "um" or "em," and I wonder if anyone else has an explanation. Norway did not have any Roman period, so I doubt the Latin origin. 'Gran' is the Norwegian word for spruce and sometimes fir and I would think that is the origin. Alas, the Oluf Rygh site is down at the moment, so I can't confirm that. The.um' and '-om' endings usually indicate the dative (indirect object) form of the word in Old Norwegian. The '-em' is usually a shortening of 'heim' (home) however sometimes the '-um' can also indicate an original 'heim' Nothing is simple, is it? Olaf Note: Olaf is a member of this list if you have more questions. > I'm trying to find out about people named Granum from Nordre Aurdal, > Oppland, some of whom migrated to Minnesota. Family legend has it that the > name originated in Roman days, and is Latin for grain. I've noticed a few > other farm names in Oppland ending in "um" or "em," and I wonder if anyone > else has an explanation. > > The Granums are my (ex)-in-laws--my own Norwegian relatives are from > Hardangerfjord. I'm taking a trip to Norway with my kids this summer, and > the first leg of our journey will be by train from Oslo to Bergen. I > thought it would be nice for my son to learn about his paternal ancestor's > home as well as his maternal ones.