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he chronicles of England, shrouded by the mist of time, reveal the early records of the name Seymour as a Norman surname which ranks as one of the oldest. The history of the name is interwoven in the colourful fabric which is an intrinsic part of the history of Britain.
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areful research by professional analysts using such ancient manuscripts as the Domesday Book (compiled in 1086 by William the Comqueror), the Ragman Rolls, the Wace poem, the Honor Roll of the Battle Abbey, The Curia Regis, Pipe Roll, tax records, baptismals, family genealogies, and local parish and church records shows the first record of the name Seymour was found in Monmouthshire where they were seated from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their leige Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.
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any alternate spellings of the name were found. They were typically linked to a common root, usually one of the Norman nobles at the Battle of Hastings. The name, Seymour, occurred in many references, and from time to time, the surname was also offically spelt Seymour, Seymer, Seymar, Seamor, Seamour, Seemour, Seemore, and many more. Scribes recorded and spelled the name as it sounded. It was not unlikely that a person would be born with one spelling, married with another, and buried with a headstone which showed another. All three spelling related to the same person. Sometimes preferences for different spelling variations either came from a division of the family, or, for religious reasons, or sometimes patriotic reasons.
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he family name Seymour is believed to be descended orginally from the Norman race. They were commonly believed to be of French origan but were, more accurately, of Viking origin. The Vikings landed in the Orkneys and Northern Scotland about the year 870 A.D., under their King, Stirgud the Stout. Later, under their Jarl, Thorfinn Rollo, they invaded France about 940 A.D. The French King, Charles the Simple, after Rollo laid siege to Paris, finally conceded defeat and granted northern France to Rollo. Rollo became the first Duke of Normandy, the territory of the north men. Duke William who invaded and defeated England in 1066, was descended from the first Duke Rollo of Normandy.
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uke William took a census of most of England in 1806, and recored it in the Domesday Book. A family name capable of being traced back to this document, or to Hastings, was a signal honour for most families during the middle ages, and even to this day.
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he surname Seymour emerged as a notable English family name in the county of Monmouth where they were recored as a family of great antiquity seated as Lords of Seymour Castle and estates in that shire, and also held the lordships of Woundy and Penhow in the same shire. They were orginally of St. Maur and were descended from Roger Sancto Maure. The senior line was represented by the Duke of Somerset, but junior lines branched to Dorset, Wiltshire, Buckingham, Oxfordshire. Jane Seymour was the wife of Henry VIII and within the family name in all spelling of the name there were many peerages and knighthoods, including the Marquis and Earl of Hertford, Baron Seymour the Lord High Admiral of England who married Catherin Parr, King Henry VIII's Queen and who was beheaded, and many other titles. Notable amongst the family at this time was Jane Seymour, Queen of England.
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he surname Seymour contributed much to local politics and in the affairs of England or
scotland. During the 12th century many of these Norman families moved north to Scotland, following Earl David of Huntingdon who would become King of Scotland. Later, in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries England and Scotland were ravaged by religious and political conflicts. The Monarchy, the Church and Parliment fought for supremcy. The unrest caused many to think of distant lands.
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ettlers in Ireland became known as the 'Adventures for land in Ireland'. Essentially, they 'undertook' to keep the protestant faith, and became known as the 'undertakers'. In Ireland, they settled in the county of Limerick at Highmount and Castletown House in Kilkenny.
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he attractions of the New World spread like wildfire. Many sailed aboard the fleet of sailing ships known as the 'White Sails'.
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n North American, migrants which could be considered a kinsman of the family name Seymour, or variable spelling of that family name included William Seymour who settled in Virginia in 1653; George Seymour settled in the Barbadoes in 1679; William Seymour settled in Maryland in 1725; John Seymer was banished to the Barbadoes in 1685; Richard Seymour arrived in Virginia in 1607, 13 years before the "Mayflower". From the port of arrival, many settlers joined the wagon trains westward. During the War of Independence some declared their loyalty to the Crown and moved northward into Canada and became known as the United Empire Loyalists.
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eanwhile, the family name was active in the social stream. There were many notables of this name, Seymour, Raymond Seymour,American Chemist; Marquis of Hartford; Duke of Somerset; Dereck Seymour, Headmaster of Bloxham; Sir Horace Seymour: Lady Seymour, Woman of the Queen's Bedchamber; Leslie Seymour, Company Director; Lynne Seymour, Ballerina; Commander Sir Michael Seymour; Richard Seymour; Air Commodore Rowland Seymour.
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n the process of researching this distinguished family name we also traced the most ancient grant of Arms from the branches which developed their own Arms.
The Most ancient grant of a Coat of Arms found was:
Gold on a red pennant between six blue fleur de lis,
three gold lions of England.
The Crest is;
A phoenix rising from a crown.
The ancient family motto for this distinguished name is;
"Foy Pour Devoir"
