Show ContentsLumber History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Lumber is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was name for a gentle-hearted person. The surname Lumber originally derived from a broad and miscellaneous class of surnames. As a nickname surname it could refer either directly or indirectly to a characteristic of the first person who used the name. They can describe the bearer's favored style of clothing, appearance, habits, or character. Another source claims that "the name was probably taken from the sign of a lamb at an inn, the young of the sheep kind." 1 And yet another source claims that the name was a baptismal name as in " 'the son of Lambert,' from Lamb the nickname." 2 3

Early Origins of the Lumber family

The surname Lumber was first found in Northumberland where they were Lords of the manor of West Denton; although, the earliest recorded record of this surname found was of Edward, Wulmar Lamb, who was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Kent in 1195. 3

The name was "pretty well dispersed over England, except in the south coast counties from Devon to Kent. At present it is most numerous in the north of England, in the counties of Northumberland and Durham." 4

Other early records of the family include listings as they appeared in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273: William le Lambe, Cambridgeshire; Richard le Lam, Northamptonshire; and Ingrida Lomb, Huntingdonshire. 2

Early History of the Lumber family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lumber research. Another 103 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1450, 1504, 1545, 1628, 1715 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Lumber History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Lumber Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Lumber have been found, including Lamb, Lambe, Lam and others.

Early Notables of the Lumber family

Distinguished members of the family include Walter Lambe (1450-1504), an English composer, many of his works appear in the Eton Chioirbook; Benjamin Lamb (fl. 1715), an English organist of Eton College and verger of St. George's Chapel, Windsor, c. 1715; and John Lambe (or Lamb) (c.1545-1628), English astrologer who served...
Another 49 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lumber Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Lumber family to Ireland

Some of the Lumber family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 61 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Lumber migration to Australia +

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

Lumber Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Lumber, aged 19, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Thetis" 5
  • Thomas Lumber, aged 29, who arrived in South Australia in 1852 aboard the ship "Anglia" 6


The Lumber 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: Virtute et fide
Motto Translation: By valour and faith.


  1. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  5. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) THETIS 1851. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1851Thetis.htm
  6. South Australian Register Tuesday 3 February 1852. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) ANGLIA 1852. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/anglia1852.shtml


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