Norman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Norman

What does the name Norman mean?

The Norman surname is ultimately derived from the Scandinavian word “noromenn,” meaning “men from the north.” It came to Britain with pre-Conquest Scandinavian settlers, and became a personal name among the Saxons. This name also came to Britain following the Norman conquest; in this instance, it was most likely a name for someone from the town of Normanville in the French province of Normandy. 1 2

They claim descent from “a branch of Basset of Normandy, descended from Hugh Fitz Osmond, who held in capite in Hants in 1086. From him came the barons of Normanville, a younger branch of whom held the barony till about 1500.” 3

“Gerold de Nonnanville was a benefactor of Battle Abbey : his grant of ‘Bocestepe ‘ was confirmed by Henry I. ; and in one of the charters of Henry, third Earl of Ewe, he is styled Dapifer mews. Norman de Normanville, according to the Liber Niger, was a Baron of Sussex in 1165. ‘Not long after the Conquest, the Normanvilles held the towns of Empingham and Normanton in the county of Rutland. A Family of eminent note in those days for military affairs ; for I find that about the latter end of King John’s reign Ralf de Nonnanville was sent by the King with forces to the defence of Kenilworth Castle against the rebellious barons ; and paid sixty marks, one Dextrarium (horse for the great saddle) and Palfrey for having the Farm of the Co. and Free Warren at Empingham. In 5 Henry III. the King ordered Henry de Nevill to deliver from Clive Forest six Oaks and six Furchias for the building of a certain Hall by him design’d to be built at Empingham. ” 4

Early Origins of the Norman family

The surname Norman was first found in Suffolk, where a record from the Abbey of Bury St. Edmunds, shows a bearer of “Noroman” in 1066-70. The Domesday Book shows several bearers of the name in England in 1086. 5

However, there are several places named Normanby throughout Britain as literally the place name means “farmstead or village of the Northmen or Norwegian Vikings.” 6

The parish of Merton in Surrey has an early record of the family. “In 1115, a convent built of wood, for Canons regular of the order of St. Augustine, was founded here by Gilbert Norman, sheriff of Surrey; and Henry I., in 1121, granted to the community a charter of incorporation and the manor of Merton.” 7

As early as 1234 this surname distinguished themselves and early records show John Norman was Sheriff of the City of London in 1234 and later elected Lord Mayor in 1250. 8