Numan Surname History

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The earliest origins of the Numan surname date from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name reveals that an early member was a stranger or newcomer. The surname Numan is derived from the Old English words neowe, niwe, and nige, which all mean new, and the word mann, which means man. 1

"In Sussex documents of the XIII. cent. it is spelt Nieuweman, and latinized Novus Homo." 2 "Confined to the southern half of England and not occurring in any numbers north of a line drawn west from the Wash. It has evidently several homes, and is at present most frequently found in Essex, Wilts, Gloucestershire, and Worcestershire. This name signifies 'a stranger.' In the 13th century it was of frequent occurrence, as Neweman, in Cambridgeshire and Oxfordshire, and as Neuman it was also then common in Norfolk and Essex (Hundred Rolls), in which two counties it has been ever since established." 3

Early Origins of the Numan family

The surname Numan was first found in Dorset where they held a family seat from early times. There are also early records of Stangrim Noueman listed in the Pipe Rolls of Norfolk in 1166; Godwin Nieweman listed in the Pipe Rolls of Oxfordshire in 1169; and Robert le Nyman in the Subsidy Rolls of Sussex in 1296. 4

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 lists four entries for the name: Robert Niweman in Cambridgeshire; Herbert le Niweman in Oxfordshire; Matthew Neuman in Huntingdon; and John le Neuman in Bedfordshire. 5

"Stockleigh, [Devon] a seat of the Newman family, whose principal residence is at Mamhead, is close by; and not far distant is the quaint fishing village of Torcross." 6

Early History of the Numan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Numan research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1597, 1602, 1636, 1643 and 1663 are included under the topic Early Numan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Numan Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Numan are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Numan include: Newman, Newmen, Newmin and others.

Early Notables of the Numan family

Notables of this surname at this time include: Samuel Newman (1602-1663), English-born, American clergyman in colonial Massachusetts, born in Banbury, Oxfordshire, he was prosecuted for nonconformity and emigrated...
Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Numan Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Numan family to Ireland

Some of the Numan family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 64 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Numan family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Numan or a variant listed above: Alice Newman settled in Virginia in 1638; George Newman settled in Maine in 1630; Joe Newman settled in Virginia in 1635; along with John, Mountford, Richard, Thomas, and Robert.

Citations +

Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital