Show ContentsRumney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Rumney was brought to England in the wave of migration that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Rumney family lived in Kent, at New Romney, or Old Romney parishes and locals that date back to at least the Domesday Book where they were collectively known as Romenel. 1 In fact, Old Romney may be older: "The town had a good and much frequented haven prior to the Conquest; but in the reign of Edward III. " 2

Early Origins of the Rumney family

The surname Rumney was first found in Kent where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Romney, anciently Romenel. "[New Romney], the name of which is probably derived from the Saxon Rumen-ea, "a large watery expanse, or marsh," arose from the decay of Old Romney. At the time of the Conquest it was a town of considerable importance, divided into twelve wards, and containing five parochial churches." 2 At the time of the taking of the Domesday Book, 1 a survey of England initiated by Duke William of Normandy after his conquest of England, the village of Romney was held by a Norman noble, Robert de Romenel, de Rumenae and as was the Norman custom, the second son of the family adopted the name of the village. 3

Early History of the Rumney family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Rumney research. Another 112 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1500, 1593, 1601 and 1603 are included under the topic Early Rumney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Rumney Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Rumney have been found, including Rumney, Rumnie, Romney, Romny, Romenel, Rumenel, Romnay and many more.

Early Notables of the Rumney family

More information is included under the topic Early Rumney Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Rumney migration to the United States +

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Rumney were among those contributors:

Rumney Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Mark Rumney, who landed in Maryland in 1672 4
Rumney Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • George Rumney, who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1766
Rumney Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John Rumney, who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1834

Australia Rumney migration to Australia +

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

Rumney Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Rumney, British Convict who was convicted in Hertfordshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Asia" on 5th November 1835, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land)1836 5

New Zealand Rumney 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:

Rumney Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Nathan Rumney, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Pegasus" in 1865

Contemporary Notables of the name Rumney (post 1700) +

  • Mason P. Rumney (1883-1944), American politician, Mayor of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, 1939-44 6
  • Edgar Rumney (1936-2015), English professional footballer who played for Colchester United
  • Ralph Rumney (1934-2002), English artist from Newcastle Upon Tyne, co-founder of the London Psychogeographical Association
  • Harold Rumney (1907-1987), former Australian rules footballer
  • John Rumney Remer (1883-1948), British Conservative Party politician
  • Air Commodore Charles Rumney Samson (1883-1931), British naval aviation pioneer
  • Arthur Rumney Ringwalt (1899-1981), American politician, U.S. Vice Consul in Shanghai, 1928-32; Yunnanfu, 1934, 1938; U.S. Consul in Kweilin, 1943-44; Chief, U.S. State Department Division on Chinese Affairs, 1946 7


  1. Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
  2. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  5. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th January 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1835
  6. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 9) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  7. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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