Isom History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient history of the Isom name begins with the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from when the family resided in the parish of Isham in the county of Northampton near Kettering.

Early Origins of the Isom family

The surname Isom was first found in Northamptonshire at Isham, a Saxon village and civil parish that dates back to 974 when it was listed as Ysham. By the Domesday Book of 1086, the place name had evolved to the present spelling of Isham. [1] [2]

The place name literally means “homestead by the River Ise,” having derived from the Celtic river-name + the Old English “ham” or “hamm.” [3] The local church is an ancient edifice with a tower, and contains four Norman arches.

The earliest record of the family was found here “where an elder branch of the existing family, Isham of Lamport, were seated soon after the Conquest.” [4]

Later, Henry de Isham was listed in the Curia Regis Rolls for Northamptonshire in 1206. [5]

Early History of the Isom family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Isom research.

Isom Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Isom include Isham, Ison, Isom, Ipsam and others.

Early Notables of the Isom family (pre 1700)

Distinguished members of the family include Gregory Isham of Orlingbury; John Isham (1582-1651), High Sheriff of Northamptonshire, created Baronet Isham of Lamport on 30 May 1627; Sir Justinian Isham (1610-1675), 2nd Baronet Isham, English scholar and royalist politician, who was a Member of Parliament; Sir Thomas Isham II (1656-1681), 3rd Baronetof Lamport, best known for his diary which he wrote from 1671-1673 of his observations as a teenage member of the English aristocracy; Sir Justinian Isham II (1658-1730), 4th Baronetof Lamport, Member of Parliament; Sir Justinian Isham (1687-1737), 5th Baronet of Lamport; Sir Edmund Isham (1690-1772), 6th Baronet.

Isom Ranking

In the United States, the name Isom is the 2,601^st most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. [6]

 Isom migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Isom or a variant listed above: 

Isom Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Margaret Isom, who landed in Virginia in 1656 [7]

 Isom migration to Australia+

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: 

Isom Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. John Isom, English convict who was convicted in Leicester, Leicestershire, Englandfor 10 years, transported aboard the “Emerald Isle” on 25th June 1842, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen’s Land) [8]

 Isom migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: 

Isom Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• William Isom, aged 26, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship “Schiehallion” in 1872