Save Type Surname (from nickname) Usage English (American) Pronounced Pron. /ˈnju.ˌkʌ.mɚ/(American English) /ˈnu.ˌkʌ.mɚ/(American English) [key·simplify] Meaning & History Nickname for a person who was new to a town or location, from Old English niwe meaning "new" and cumen meaning "to come".