Show ContentsInmon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain were the first to use the name of Inmon. The name had a practical origin since it came from when its initial bearer worked as a person who tended a lodge or inn. 1 2 3

Occupational names that were derived from the common trades of the medieval era transcended European cultural and linguistic boundaries.

Early Origins of the Inmon family

The surname Inmon was first found in Lancashire where "Inman has existed in Furness, North Lancashire, for centuries, and still flourishes." 4

In neighbouring Yorkshire, Willelmus Indmon and Willelmus Inman were both listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 5

Early History of the Inmon family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Inmon research. Another 85 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1562, 1607, 1776, 1794, 1796, 1808 and 1859 are included under the topic Early Inmon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Inmon 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 Inmon include Inman, Innman and others.

Early Notables of the Inmon family

Notables of the family at this time include James Inman (1776-1859), professor of navigation and nautical science, younger son of Richard Inman of Garsdale Foot, Sedbergh, Yorkshire. The family of substantial statesmen had owned property in the neighbourhood from the time of the dissolution of the monasteries. James received his early education at Sedbergh grammar school, and subsequently...
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Inmon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Inmon family

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 Inmon or a variant listed above: John Inman, who settled in Virginia in 1619, a year before the " Mayflower"; Hugh Inman settled in Virginia in 1650; Samuel Inman and William Inman settled in Philadelphia in 1794..


Contemporary Notables of the name Inmon (post 1700) +

  • William H. Inmon (b. 1945), American computer scientist, recognized by many as the father of the data warehouse


  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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