Show ContentsGerant History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Gerant is one of the names that was brought to England in the wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Gerant family name comes from the Old French given name Jerome, which itself was originally derived from the Greek name Hieronymos. The Greek name was composed of the elements hieros, which means sacred, and onyma, which means name. 1

Early Origins of the Gerant family

The surname Gerant was first found in Berkshire where the first record of the Gerant family was as an early spelling as a forename, German Curzun who was listed there in 1206. The Curia Regis Rolls also included Jeronimus, Geronimus, Gerarmus de Curzun in Berkshire and Staffordshire (1206-1211.) A few years later, Jerom' de Ponte Burgi was found in the Assize Rolls for Yorkshire in 1219 and later again, Jeronimus de Normaneby was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Lincolnshire in 1230. 2

Early History of the Gerant family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gerant research. Another 58 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1194, 1604, 1607, 1614, 1619, 1624, 1650, 1729, 1748, 1770 and 1853 are included under the topic Early Gerant History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gerant Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries. For that reason, spelling variations are common among many Anglo-Norman names. The shape of the English language was frequently changed with the introduction of elements of Norman French, Latin, and other European languages; even the spelling of literate people's names were subsequently modified. Gerant has been recorded under many different variations, including Jerome, Jerrome, Jerram, Jeran, Jarrom, Jerrems, Gerome, Gerram and many more.

Early Notables of the Gerant family

Distinguished members of the family include Stephen Jerome (fl. 1604-1650), an English miscellaneous writer, was educated at St. John's College, Cambridge, where he proceeded B.A. in 1604, and M.A. in 1607. In 1619 he was a preacher at St. Nicholas's Church, Newcastle (cf. Ambrose Barnes, Memoirs, p. 305, Surtees Society). Writing from Ireland in 1624, he describes himself as ‘domesticke chaplain to the Rt...
Another 63 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gerant Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Gerant family to Ireland

Some of the Gerant family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Gerant family

To escape the uncertainty of the political and religious uncertainty found in England, many English families boarded ships at great expense to sail for the colonies held by Britain. The passages were expensive, though, and the boats were unsafe, overcrowded, and ridden with disease. Those who were hardy and lucky enough to make the passage intact were rewarded with land, opportunity, and social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families went on to be important contributors to the young nations of Canada and the United States where they settled. Gerants were some of the first of the immigrants to arrive in North America: William Jerome, who sailed to New Orleans in 1820; William Jerroms and Joseph Jerome to New York in 1830; and R.L. Jerome to San Francisco in 1851.



  1. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  2. 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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