Show ContentsToomer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

While many of Irish names are quite familiar to most, their original Gaelic forms are often forgotten and mysterious. The original Gaelic form of the name Toomer is Ó Tuama.

Early Origins of the Toomer family

The surname Toomer was first found in County Cork (Irish: Corcaigh) the ancient Kingdom of Deis Muin (Desmond), located on the southwest coast of Ireland in the province of Munster, where they held a family seat from very ancient times. This ancient family name was descended from Tuaim Snama, an eighth century King of Osraigi, and were presumably of Dalcassian origin. They were descended through Mathghamhain, the brother of Brian Boru. Although this tribe of Toomey held a family seat in Cork in the 14th century, they are believed to be descended from the Dal Cais to the north.

Early History of the Toomer family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Toomer research. Another 161 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1478, 1603, 1640, 1653, 1659, 1676, 1702, 1706 and 1730 are included under the topic Early Toomer History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Toomer Spelling Variations

Many different spelling variations of the surname Toomer exist in the archives researched. Ancient scribes and church officials recorded names as they were pronounced, often resulting in a single person being recorded under several different spellings. Different spellings that were found include Toomie, O'Toomie, Twomey, O'Twomey, Twomy, O'Twomy, Twony, Toomey, O'Toomey, Toomy, O'Toomy, Twomie, O'Twomie, Twome, O'Twome, Toomee, O'Toomee, Tome, O'Tome, Thomey, O'Thomey, Thoume, O'Thoume, Thomey, O'Thomey, Tumey, O'Tumey, Tumee and many more.

Early Notables of the Toomer family

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

Toomer Ranking

In the United States, the name Toomer is the 9,493rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1


United States Toomer migration to the United States +

Ireland experienced a dramatic decrease in its population during the late 19th century. This was in a great measure, a response to England's imperialistic policies. Hunger and disease took the lives of many Irish people and many more chose to leave their homeland to escape such hunger and disease. North America with its promise of work, freedom, and land was an extremely popular destination for Irish families. For those families that survived the journey, all three of these things were were often attained through much hard work and perseverance. Research into early immigration and passenger lists revealed many immigrants bearing the name Toomer:

Toomer Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Robert Toomer, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1682 2

Australia Toomer migration to Australia +

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

Toomer Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. James Toomer, (b. 1795), aged 36, English ploughman who was convicted in Wiltshire, England for life for machine breaking, transported aboard the "Eleanor" on 26th June 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1841 3

New Zealand Toomer 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:

Toomer Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Henry Toomer, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Caroline Coventry" in 1869 4
  • Ephriam Toomer, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Caroline Coventry" in 1869 4
  • John Toomer, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Caroline Coventry" in 1869 4
  • Albert Toomer, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Caroline Coventry" in 1869 4
  • Jemima Toomer, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Caroline Coventry" in 1869 4
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Toomer (post 1700) +

  • Fred Armon Toomer (1889-1961), American businessman, 3rd Vice-President of Atlanta Life Insurance Company
  • Korey Toomer (b. 1988), American NFL football linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks
  • Ronald Valentine "Ron" Toomer (1930-2011), American roller coaster designer credited for designing 93 roller coasters around the world
  • Amani Toomer (b. 1974), retired American NFL football wide receiver who played from 1996 to 2009
  • Jean Toomer (1894-1967), American poet and novelist, an important figure of the Harlem Renaissance
  • S. L. Toomer, American politician, Delegate to Alabama convention to ratify 21st amendment from Lee County, 1933 5
  • L. B. Toomer, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Georgia, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960 (alternate) 5
  • John D. Toomer, American politician, Member of North Carolina State Senate from Cumberland County, 1831-32 5
  • Walter Edward Toomer (1883-1962), English amateur footballer
  • Gerald James Toomer (b. 1934), English historian of astronomy and mathematics


The Toomer Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Fortis undis et armis
Motto Translation: Waves and strong arms


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. 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)
  3. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 9th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eleanor
  4. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 5th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  5. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 12) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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